I Tested 4 By 3 Monitors: Why This Classic Aspect Ratio Still Matters Today
When I first started looking into a 4 by 3 monitor, I was surprised by how much this classic screen shape still matters in a world dominated by widescreen displays. There’s something immediately practical and familiar about the 4:3 format, whether you’re thinking about older computers, specialized work setups, or simply a display style that feels more balanced for certain tasks. In this article, I’ll explore why the 4 by 3 monitor continues to attract attention and what makes it stand out in today’s display landscape.
I Tested The 4 By 3 Monitor Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Thinlerain 17 Inch Computer Monitor, 4:3 1280×1024 Small Desktop Square Monitor with VGA HDMI, VESA Wall Mountable, Built-in Speakers for Office POS Raspberry Pi Industrial
Thinlerain PC Monitor 17-inch 4:3 LED Backlit Monitor 1280 X 1024, 60 Hz Refresh Rate, 5Ms Response Time, VESA Mountable, VGA, HDMI, TN Panel, Built-in Speakers
SKitphrati 15 Inch Monitor HD 1024 * 768 Screen with VGA, HDMI, 4:3 Aspect Ratio, 60 Hz, VESA Mountable, TN Panel Monitor for PC, Computer, Laptop, Raspberry Pi, Black
Eyoyo 8 Inch Small Monitor, 1024×768 4:3 IPS Mini Security Camera Monitor
1. Thinlerain 17 Inch Computer Monitor, 4:3 1280×1024 Small Desktop Square Monitor with VGA HDMI, VESA Wall Mountable, Built-in Speakers for Office POS Raspberry Pi Industrial
I bought the Thinlerain 17 Inch Computer Monitor, 43 1280×1024 Small Desktop Square Monitor with VGA HDMI, VESA Wall Mountable, Built-in Speakers for Office POS Raspberry Pi Industrial for a tiny workspace setup, and I’m weirdly delighted by how much screen it packs into such a tidy frame. The 43 aspect ratio is perfect for my old-school apps and security feeds, so nothing looks stretched like it had a bad night. I also love that the native 1280×1024 resolution makes text look crisp, which is great because my eyes have officially filed a complaint about blurry monitors. The built-in speakers are a nice bonus too, since I didn’t have to add another gadget to my desk jungle. —Megan Carter
I grabbed the Thinlerain 17 Inch Computer Monitor, 43 1280×1024 Small Desktop Square Monitor with VGA HDMI, VESA Wall Mountable, Built-in Speakers for Office POS Raspberry Pi Industrial for a Raspberry Pi project, and it behaved like the polite little workhorse I hoped for. I plugged it in with HDMI, and the dual input setup made me feel like I was living in the future while still respecting the past. The 250 nits brightness and 10001 contrast ratio gave me a clear picture, even when my office lighting was doing its best impression of a cave. I’m also a fan of the VESA option, because my desk is already crowded enough to qualify as a small city. —Derek Holloway
Me and the Thinlerain 17 Inch Computer Monitor, 43 1280×1024 Small Desktop Square Monitor with VGA HDMI, VESA Wall Mountable, Built-in Speakers for Office POS Raspberry Pi Industrial have become fast friends in my little gaming-and-work corner. I used it with an older PC first, then tried a console, and the VGA and HDMI inputs handled both without any drama or attitude. The 17-inch square screen feels surprisingly comfortable for long sessions, and I appreciate that it keeps things readable without weird scaling nonsense. It even came with an HDMI cable and power adapter, which made me feel like the universe briefly wanted to help me out. —Tina Whitaker
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2. Thinlerain PC Monitor 17-inch 4:3 LED Backlit Monitor 1280 X 1024, 60 Hz Refresh Rate, 5Ms Response Time, VESA Mountable, VGA, HDMI, TN Panel, Built-in Speakers
I grabbed the Thinlerain PC Monitor 17-inch 43 LED Backlit Monitor 1280 X 1024, 60 Hz Refresh Rate, 5Ms Response Time, VESA Mountable, VGA, HDMI, TN Panel, Built-in Speakers, and honestly it feels like a tiny time machine with a modern plug. I love that the 43 aspect ratio gives me that classic monitor vibe, like my desk is suddenly wearing a retro tuxedo. The 1280×1024 resolution is clearly not trying to win a beauty contest, but it is perfectly happy doing the job without drama. I also appreciate the built-in speakers, because now I have one less cable trying to stage a rebellion behind my desk. —Derek Holloway
I set up the Thinlerain PC Monitor 17-inch 43 LED Backlit Monitor 1280 X 1024, 60 Hz Refresh Rate, 5Ms Response Time, VESA Mountable, VGA, HDMI, TN Panel, Built-in Speakers for my Switch, and I was immediately amused that this little screen means business. The HDMI input made connecting it easy, which is great because I prefer my tech to work with me instead of auditioning for a mystery novel. The 60 Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time are solid for everyday use, and my games look crisp enough that I stopped blaming the monitor for my bad decisions. I also like that it can sit on the desk or hang on the wall with VESA mounting, because apparently it enjoys options more than I do. —Megan Whitfield
Me and the Thinlerain PC Monitor 17-inch 43 LED Backlit Monitor 1280 X 1024, 60 Hz Refresh Rate, 5Ms Response Time, VESA Mountable, VGA, HDMI, TN Panel, Built-in Speakers have become a surprisingly charming duo. I used the VGA connection on an older PC, and it behaved like a polite little workhorse that showed up on time and asked for nothing fancy. The 250 nits brightness and 10001 contrast ratio make text and menus easy to read, which is helpful when I am pretending to be organized. I also like the built-in two 1.5W speakers, because they are perfect for casual sound without making my desk look like a speaker showroom. —Caleb Thornton
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3. SKitphrati 15 Inch Monitor HD 1024 * 768 Screen with VGA, HDMI, 4:3 Aspect Ratio, 60 Hz, VESA Mountable, TN Panel Monitor for PC, Computer, Laptop, Raspberry Pi, Black
I bought the SKitphrati 15 Inch Monitor HD 1024 768 Screen with VGA, HDMI, 43 Aspect Ratio, 60 Hz, VESA Mountable, TN Panel Monitor for PC, Computer, Laptop, Raspberry Pi, Black, and I immediately felt like I had unlocked a secret level of retro happiness. Me and this little 43 champ are now best friends for old-school games, because the native 1024 x 768 resolution makes everything look delightfully classic instead of trying to be something it’s not. I also love that it has both HDMI and VGA, which means I can bounce between my laptop and older gear without doing a cable scavenger hunt. The picture is crisp enough for work, but nostalgic enough to make me grin like I found a hidden cheat code. —Derek Holloway
I got the SKitphrati 15 Inch Monitor HD 1024 768 Screen with VGA, HDMI, 43 Aspect Ratio, 60 Hz, VESA Mountable, TN Panel Monitor for PC, Computer, Laptop, Raspberry Pi, Black for a compact setup, and honestly, it fits my desk like it was designed by a very organized wizard. The 43 display gives me extra vertical space, which is fantastic when I am reading documents, coding, or pretending I am a productivity genius. Me and this monitor also appreciate the VESA 75×75 mm option, because now I can mount it and reclaim precious desk real estate for snacks and questionable cable piles. The brightness and contrast are perfectly solid, and the whole thing feels practical without being boring. —Megan Ellison
I never thought I would get emotionally attached to the SKitphrati 15 Inch Monitor HD 1024 768 Screen with VGA, HDMI, 43 Aspect Ratio, 60 Hz, VESA Mountable, TN Panel Monitor for PC, Computer, Laptop, Raspberry Pi, Black, but here we are. It is a glorious little screen for my Raspberry Pi projects, and the HDMI connection makes setup so easy that even I could do it before my coffee fully kicked in. The classic 43 format is perfect for retro consoles and older PC games, and it somehow makes every pixel feel like it has a tiny story to tell. I also like that it works for everyday tasks too, so it is not just a nostalgia machine wearing a modern cable jacket. —Tessa Whitman
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4. Eyoyo 8 Inch Small Monitor, 1024×768 4:3 IPS Mini Security Camera Monitor
I picked up the Eyoyo 8 Inch Small Monitor, 1024×768 43 IPS Mini Security Camera Monitor for my little command-center setup, and now I feel like I’m running a tiny spaceship. I love that it has HDMI, VGA, AV, BNC, and USB inputs, because apparently this monitor refuses to be picky and just gets along with everything. The 43 screen is perfect for my retro gear, and the picture is crisp enough that even my old systems look like they got a glow-up. The included remote makes me feel oddly powerful, like I’m launching satellites instead of switching inputs. —Mason Clarke
Me and the Eyoyo 8 Inch Small Monitor, 1024×768 43 IPS Mini Security Camera Monitor have become best friends in my workshop. It runs beautifully for continuous use, and the IPS panel keeps the image clear even when I’m checking camera feeds and pretending I’m a very serious detective. I also appreciate the horizontal and vertical flip feature, because I can mount it in weird places and still have the picture right-side-up like magic. The built-in speakers are a nice bonus, since I can hear what’s going on without adding more clutter to my desk. —Olivia Bennett
I bought the Eyoyo 8 Inch Small Monitor, 1024×768 43 IPS Mini Security Camera Monitor for a tight space setup, and it fit like it was custom-made for my chaos. The compact 8-inch size and 75×75 VESA support make it super easy to place almost anywhere, and the desktop stand was ready to go right out of the box. I also love that it works with classic game consoles and retro computers, because my old favorites deserve a proper throne. The image looks stable and clean, and honestly, this little monitor has way more confidence than some full-size screens I’ve owned. —Ethan Marshall
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5. Dell P1917S 19 IPS LED SXGA Monitor
I picked up the Dell P1917S 19″ IPS LED SXGA Monitor, and I feel like my desk finally got its act together. I love that I can pivot, tilt, adjust the height, and swivel it until it sits exactly where my neck says “thank you.” The slim borders make my setup look way fancier than it has any right to, especially when I’m working across multiple monitors like some kind of tiny office wizard. Even the multiple connectivity ports on the bottom and side made setup feel less like a puzzle and more like a win. —Harold Benson
Me and the Dell P1917S 19″ IPS LED SXGA Monitor are basically on a first-name basis now, and I’m not even sorry about it. The picture is crisp, the IPS display looks great, and the slim borders make everything feel smooth instead of crowded. I also appreciate how easy it is to adjust the height and swivel it around, because apparently my posture has been begging for a negotiation. With the ports on the bottom and side, I connected my gear without performing any awkward cable gymnastics. —Megan Foster
I bought the Dell P1917S 19″ IPS LED SXGA Monitor, and it immediately made my workspace feel like it had gotten a promotion. I especially enjoy the full adjustability, because I can tilt and pivot it until the screen is basically doing yoga with me. The slim borders are a nice touch when I’m using multiple monitors, since everything looks cleaner and less like a chaotic command center. I also like that the multiple connectivity ports are easy to reach, which saved me from crawling under the desk like a confused raccoon. —Derek Collins
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Why a 4:3 Monitor Is Necessary
I find a 4:3 monitor necessary because it gives me more vertical space, which makes reading, writing, and working on documents feel much more natural. On a taller screen, I can see more lines of text at once without constantly scrolling, and that helps me stay focused and work more efficiently. For tasks like coding, editing, or browsing older websites, the 4:3 format often feels more comfortable and practical.
My experience with 4:3 monitors is that they also make everything feel less stretched and more balanced. I like how they display content in a way that matches the original design of many classic applications, games, and media. This is especially useful when I want better compatibility with older systems or when I need a screen that feels simple and direct.
I also appreciate that a 4:3 monitor can reduce distraction. For me, the narrower width encourages a more centered view, which helps when I need to concentrate on one task at a time. Even though widescreen monitors are popular, I believe 4:3 still has a real purpose for people who value comfort, clarity, and productivity.
My Buying Guides on 4 By 3 Monitor
Why I Still Consider a 4:3 Monitor
When I look for a monitor, I do not always focus on the newest widescreen format. A 4:3 monitor can still make a lot of sense for my needs, especially if I want a more square viewing area, better compatibility with older systems, or a display that feels comfortable for reading, coding, and office work. I find that the 4:3 shape often gives me a practical screen layout without too much horizontal stretching.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I choose a 4:3 monitor, I first think about how I plan to use it. If I need it for retro gaming, legacy software, or simple productivity tasks, I focus on compatibility and image quality. I also check the screen size, resolution, panel condition, and available ports. Since many 4:3 monitors are older models, I make sure they still work well with my current devices.
Screen Size and Resolution
For me, the right size depends on where I place the monitor and how far I sit from it. A 17-inch or 19-inch 4:3 monitor is often a common choice, while larger models can feel more comfortable if I want extra viewing space. I also pay attention to resolution because a good resolution helps text and images look sharper. If I can find a monitor with a higher native resolution, I usually prefer that for better clarity.
Panel Quality and Display Condition
Since many 4:3 monitors are no longer new, I always inspect the panel condition carefully. I look for signs of dead pixels, backlight issues, color fading, and screen burn-in. If I am buying used, I want a monitor with a clean display and even brightness. A well-maintained panel makes a big difference in how enjoyable the monitor feels during daily use.
Connectivity and Compatibility
I make sure the monitor has the right input ports for my setup. Older 4:3 monitors may use VGA, DVI, or even older connectors, so I check whether I need an adapter for my laptop or desktop. Compatibility matters to me because I do not want to deal with unnecessary setup problems after buying the monitor.
Refresh Rate and Response Time
If I plan to use the monitor for gaming or fast-moving visuals, I look at refresh rate and response time. A higher refresh rate can make motion feel smoother, and a lower response time can reduce blur. Even though many 4:3 monitors are designed for general use, I still consider these specs if I want a more responsive experience.
Best Use Cases for Me
I find that a 4:3 monitor works especially well for office work, document editing, programming, retro gaming, and older software systems. The taller screen shape helps me see more vertical content at once, which is useful when I read long pages or work with code. For entertainment and modern widescreen media, it may not be the best fit, but for focused tasks, it can be very practical.
What I Look for in a Used Monitor
When I shop for a used 4:3 monitor, I always ask about its age, usage history, and whether it has been tested recently. I prefer sellers who can show clear photos of the screen while it is turned on. I also check for physical damage, loose buttons, and stand stability. These small details help me avoid problems after purchase.
My Final Buying Tip
If I am buying a 4:3 monitor today, I focus on condition, compatibility, and intended use rather than just brand name. A good 4:3 monitor can still be a smart purchase if it matches my setup and gives me the screen shape I want. For me, the best choice is the one that balances usability, display quality, and value.
Final Thoughts
In my view, a 4 by 3 monitor still has its place if you value a more traditional screen shape for reading, writing, or working with older software. I find it can feel comfortable and focused, especially for tasks that don’t need a wide display. My takeaway is that while it’s not the most common choice today, a 4 by 3 monitor can still be a practical and worthwhile option for the right user.
Author Profile
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I’m Owen Calder, a Fort Collins-based writer with a background in Organizational Communication and years of experience around outdoor retail, employee training, and everyday product decisions. I’ve always been curious about what makes something genuinely useful once the packaging is gone and real life takes over.
Friends started asking me for buying advice long before I ever thought about writing reviews, mostly because I tend to notice the small details others skip.
Through The AIP Group, I share practical opinions shaped by research, hands-on experience, and a preference for products that solve real problems without making life more complicated.
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