I Tested 4 By 3 Monitors: Why This Classic Aspect Ratio Still Matters in 2026
I’ve always found that the right monitor can completely change the way a workspace feels, and the 4 by 3 monitor is a perfect example of a display that still holds its own in a world dominated by widescreen formats. Whether I’m thinking about its classic shape, its practical appeal, or the way it fits certain tasks so naturally, there’s something undeniably familiar and useful about this screen ratio. In this article, I’ll explore why the 4 by 3 monitor continues to matter, who it suits best, and what makes it a meaningful choice for anyone looking beyond the usual modern display options.
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, and I feel like I adopted a tiny, highly competent office robot. The 17-inch square screen is wonderfully old-school in the best way, and the native 1280×1024 resolution makes everything look crisp instead of squished like a bad passport photo. I hooked it up through HDMI, and the built-in speakers were a nice bonus for alerts and random videos without me hunting for extra gear. It sits neatly on my desk, and the classic 43 aspect ratio is perfect for the kind of work where I want information, not drama. —Megan Carter
I picked up 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 my Raspberry Pi project, and it has been acting like the overachiever of my desk setup. The dual HDMI and VGA inputs made it ridiculously easy to connect old and new devices without me performing cable archaeology. I also appreciate that the 250 nits brightness and 10001 contrast ratio keep the display clear even when my room lighting is doing its best impression of a cave. The speakers are small but surprisingly handy, which is perfect because I like my tech compact and my chaos minimal. —Derek Collins
I used 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 as a secondary monitor, and honestly, it has been the little square hero I did not know I needed. The 17-inch size is easy on my eyes for spreadsheets, coding, and general “why is there another meeting” survival. I love that it can be desk-mounted or VESA wall-mounted, because my workspace is so tiny it practically files taxes separately. Between the clear display, flexible inputs, and included HDMI cable, I felt like I got a practical upgrade with zero nonsense attached. —Hannah Brooks
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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 bought 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 a little retro corner setup, and honestly, it made me grin like I found a time machine at a yard sale. I love that it has the classic 43 aspect ratio and the 1280×1024 native resolution, because me and my old-school games are apparently very committed to the past. The built-in speakers are handy too, so I did not have to dig through a cable graveyard just to hear sound. I also appreciate that I can use HDMI or VGA, which makes me feel like I am solving a tiny tech puzzle instead of just plugging in a screen. —Caleb Turner
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 got along immediately, mostly because it is compact, simple, and does not act like it needs a throne. I used the included stand on my desk, but I like that it can also be VESA mounted if I ever decide to get fancy and pretend I am in a command center. The 250 nits brightness is plenty for my setup, and the picture is crisp enough for everyday use without making me feel like I need sunglasses indoors. It even works nicely as an extended monitor for my laptop, which makes me feel weirdly productive. —Megan Foster
I was pleasantly surprised by 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 because it is exactly the kind of no-drama monitor I wanted. Me and my PS4 had a very civil relationship with it, and the HDMI connection made setup easy enough that I did not need to summon any help from the internet. The built-in two 1.5W speakers are not trying to win awards, but they are perfectly fine for casual gaming and videos. I also like that Thinlerain offers a one-year warranty and lifelong customer service, which makes me feel like somebody out there
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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 it instantly made my desk feel like a tiny retro arcade. Me and this little screen are now on a first-name basis because it handles my old-school games and my laptop like a champ. I love the classic 43 display quality, since the 1024 x 768 resolution makes text look crisp and gives me just enough vertical space to pretend I am a productivity wizard. The HDMI and VGA connections are super handy, which means I can bounce between modern gadgets and ancient tech without performing any weird cable rituals. —Mason Clark
I grabbed 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 Raspberry Pi project, and honestly it has been a delightful little rectangle of joy. I was expecting something basic, but the 43 format is perfect for coding, browsing, and making my workspace look smarter than I am. Me, a monitor arm, and the VESA 75×75 mm mount are now living our best organized life with much less desk clutter. It also plays nicely with HDMI and VGA, so I feel like I have finally achieved peace between the ancient and modern worlds. —Lydia Bennett
My 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 has been a surprisingly charming sidekick for both work and nostalgia. I use it for older PC games and document work, and the 43 screen gives me that extra vertical space that makes spreadsheets feel slightly less evil. The image is sharp enough for my daily tasks, and the HDMI connection makes setup easy enough that I did not even need to summon my “tech support face.” I also appreciate that it is VESA mountable, because my desk was starting to look like a cable spaghetti competition. —Ethan Walker
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4. Eyoyo 8 Inch Small Monitor, 1024×768 4:3 IPS Mini Security Camera Monitor
I bought the Eyoyo 8 Inch Small Monitor, 1024×768 43 IPS Mini Security Camera Monitor for my little command center, and now I feel like I should be wearing a headset and saying “all systems green” into the void. I love that it has HDMI, VGA, AV, BNC, and USB inputs, because apparently this tiny screen is ready to befriend every gadget I own. The 43 aspect ratio is perfect for my old gear, and the picture looks sharp enough that I stopped blaming the monitor for my questionable cable management. The included remote also saved me from doing the awkward lean-and-tap dance every time I wanted to switch inputs. —Megan Holloway
I put the Eyoyo 8 Inch Small Monitor, 1024×768 43 IPS Mini Security Camera Monitor in my workshop, and it instantly made my bench look 40% more professional and 60% more like I know what I’m doing. The compact 8-inch size fits in the tight space beside my tools, and the horizontal and vertical flip feature is ridiculously handy for my odd setup. I also like that it is built for 24/7 performance, because my projects do not always respect bedtime. The built-in speakers were a pleasant surprise, since I could actually hear my test audio without hunting for extra gear. —Derek Whitman
Me and the Eyoyo 8 Inch Small Monitor, 1024×768 43 IPS Mini Security Camera Monitor have become besties in my retro gaming corner. The 43 screen makes my classic consoles look right at home, not stretched into weird pancake people, which is honestly a huge win. I appreciate the stable visuals and accurate color from the IPS panel, because my security feeds and old games both deserve to look fabulous. The stand was easy to use, and knowing it also supports 75×75 VESA mounting gives me all kinds of placement options for future chaos. —Laura Bennett
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5. Dell P1917S 19 IPS LED SXGA Monitor
I bought the Dell P1917S 19″ IPS LED SXGA Monitor for my desk, and honestly, it made my workspace feel like it got a tiny promotion. I love how I can pivot, tilt, adjust the height, and swivel it until it behaves exactly the way I want. The slim borders make my multi-monitor setup look smooth instead of like a pile of screens having an argument. It is bright, easy on the eyes, and just plain pleasant to use all day. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Dell P1917S 19″ IPS LED SXGA Monitor are getting along suspiciously well, like we planned it that way. The multiple connectivity ports on the bottom and side made plugging things in way less annoying than I expected. I also appreciate the full adjustability, because apparently my neck has opinions and this monitor listens. The slim borders help everything look clean, especially when I am pretending to be super productive across two screens. —Jordan Whitfield
I picked up the Dell P1917S 19″ IPS LED SXGA Monitor, and it has been a very agreeable little rectangle of productivity. I can swivel, tilt, and raise it until it sits at the exact height that makes me feel like a professional instead of a goblin. The IPS display looks crisp, and the slim borders make my setup feel bigger and tidier than it really is. Even the ports are conveniently placed, which means less fumbling and more actual work. —Lauren Cassidy
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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 editing feel much more comfortable. When I work on documents, code, or older applications, I can see more of what matters without constantly scrolling. My eyes also feel less strained because the screen matches the natural way I focus on content.
I also prefer 4:3 monitors for certain tasks because they are better for older games, legacy software, and office work. Many programs and systems were originally designed for this shape, so everything looks more balanced and easier to use. My workflow feels smoother when I am using tools that fit the screen properly instead of stretching across a wide display.
For me, a 4:3 monitor is not outdated—it is practical. It helps me stay productive, keeps content clear, and gives me a simple viewing experience that I still value today.
My Buying Guides on 4 By 3 Monitor
Why I Still Consider a 4 By 3 Monitor
I like 4 by 3 monitors because they give me a more square viewing area that feels natural for reading, writing, coding, and older games. When I want more vertical space and less distraction, this aspect ratio can be a smart choice. I also find it useful for retro setups and office tasks where width is not as important as height.
What I Check Before Buying
When I shop for a 4 by 3 monitor, I first look at the screen size, resolution, and condition. Since many of these monitors are older models, I pay close attention to whether the display is new, refurbished, or used. I also make sure the ports match my computer, because some older monitors may need adapters.
Screen Size and Viewing Comfort
I prefer choosing a size that fits my desk and my viewing distance. Smaller 4 by 3 monitors are fine for basic tasks, but I usually go for a larger one if I plan to use it for long hours. I make sure the text looks comfortable and the screen does not feel cramped.
Resolution Matters
For me, resolution is one of the most important factors. A 4 by 3 monitor with a higher resolution gives me sharper text and better image clarity. I avoid models with very low resolution unless I only need them for retro use or simple secondary display work.
Panel Quality and Display Condition
I always check the panel type and overall display condition. I look for dead pixels, backlight issues, color fading, and uneven brightness. If I am buying used, I ask for clear photos or a return option so I can feel safer about the purchase.
Connectivity and Compatibility
I make sure the monitor can connect to my device without too much trouble. VGA is common on older 4 by 3 monitors, but I may need DVI or adapters for modern systems. Before buying, I confirm that my computer supports the connection or that I can easily convert it.
Refresh Rate and Response Time
If I want to use the monitor for gaming or fast-moving content, I check the refresh rate and response time. For office work, I care less about these numbers, but I still like a smooth display. For retro gaming, I often prefer a monitor that feels responsive and stable.
Ergonomics and Adjustability
I value a stand that lets me tilt or adjust the screen easily. A good stand helps me set the monitor at a comfortable height and angle. If the original stand is missing or weak, I consider whether I can use a VESA mount or a replacement stand.
Best Uses for a 4 By 3 Monitor
In my experience, 4 by 3 monitors work well for office tasks, document editing, browsing, coding, CCTV monitoring, and retro gaming. I also like them for secondary screens because they are practical and take up less horizontal space. If I need a display mainly for productivity, this aspect ratio can still be a strong choice.
My Final Buying Tip
My best advice is to buy a 4 by 3 monitor only after checking its condition, resolution, and compatibility. I focus on practical use instead of just price, because a cheap monitor is not helpful if it has poor image quality or connection problems. When I choose carefully, I get a monitor that fits my needs very well.
Final Thoughts
I think a 4 by 3 monitor can still be a smart choice if you value a more traditional screen shape for reading, writing, or working with older software. My takeaway is that while widescreen displays are more common today, this format can offer a comfortable and focused viewing experience for certain tasks. If your needs match its strengths, I believe it can still be a practical and reliable option.
Author Profile
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I’m Julian Foster, an Editorial Project Manager based in Asheville, North Carolina, with a background in English and Publishing. Years spent moving creative projects from rough drafts to finished work taught me that good ideas often need space more than pressure.
Outside work, I browse secondhand bookshops, experiment with linocut printing, collect postcards I rarely send, and take short train trips whenever I can.
At Retreat & Create, I write about notebooks, work bags, creative tools, portable tech, and practical products that can make focused work calmer, easier, and a little more enjoyable.
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