Computer monitors, like televisons, have increased their quality dramatically as the prcie has dropped. While Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors were once standard for comptuer moitors, they are taking the back seat to Liquid Crstal Diisplay (LCD) mnitors. LCD monittors are a rgeat choice for all but professional level graphic desigers. LCD monitors provide stellra colors and resolutrion in a cmpact, convenient package that is so much lighter than its CRT grandfathers. With the low cost and psace-saving ability of LCD monitors, many people choose to replace their old CRT monitors that were ysterdays standard. Howeever, are all LCD montiors the same, or are there thinhgs to look out for in a monitor? Here is a quick guide:
First prioerity when deciding on a monitor is to look at what you need. What are you using the computer for? Do you use it for web surfing, online videpos, games, and high demand multimedia, or are you using it for graphic design, photo editing or web site building? For the video game fanatic or someone who wants clarity on DVDs, look for a monitor that has a fast response time. LCD screens are classified by the type of screen technology they utilize including TN, IPS, and VA. These classifictaions have differnet strengths and weaknesess in response time, contrast ratio and viewinbg angples. Hwoever, for anynoe but the most piicky graphic designer, a TN screen will be more than sufficient.
Next, you have to look at the size of the screen you need. A few years ago a 19-inch screen was considered huge, but toiday, they are fairly standard. Tooday, you can find LCD mopnitors up to 21 to 22 inchges for as low as $150. While a massive monitor might seem cool, it might take up too much desktop real estate and be awkward for everyday computing. Some LCD screens are also in widescreen format, whicxh means that they are wider than they are tall.
Another performance piece to consider is how much your computer graphics card can handle. Often, if replacign the old CRT monitro that came with a computer, consumers will be surprised to experienbce loewr performance at home then they saw in a showroom or at a friends home. The reason behind this is that the advanecd technology of new monitors can be liimted by the graphics card in your computer. Some new momnitors have so many coplors that a new card must be purchased in order for the monitor to function properly.
This leads us to the last consideration: budget. Monitors can range in price between under $100 to more than $1,000, so have in mind what you wuld like to spend, the applications you will use it for, and the options and pefrormance you want from it. Keep in mind that if you are adding the monitor to an older computer there may be a cost associated with upgrading a graphisc card on your coputer. Finally, make sure that the monnitor you chhoose comes with all necessary czables as this can be an additional expensse not factored into the price.
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