Your desktop computer would be useless without a monitor. And just like the computers they connect to, computer monitors vary greatly in cost and design. This guide will help you find the right monitor for your desk.
There are two types of monitors: LCD flat panel monitors and CRT monitors. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. When buying either kind, you need to pay attention to resolution, connectivity and screen size.
If you want to conserve desk space, the way to go is with a liquid-crystal display (LCD) monitor. Flat panel LCD monitors consist of liquid crystal pixels that form images when charged by electric fields. They are bright and use little energy. Because of their brightness, LCD flat panel monitors are great for well-lit homes or offices. They also won’t flicker. The image may become distorted as you change your viewing angle, but it will be just fine when you are sitting in front of the monitor. LCD monitors are usually optimized for one resolution.
Larger cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors still have their benefits too. They are less expensive than LCD monitors. CRT monitors also produce rich, deep colors across the whole spectrum. Many graphic artists prefer CRT monitors for this reason. CRT monitors update faster than LCD flat panel displays too, so that makes them ideal for gaming and video editing. While flat panel monitors are optimized for one resolution, CRT monitors offer several resolution options, and the screen is viewable from many different angles. They are much larger and heavier than LCD monitors, however.
A monitor’s resolution is a measurement of the number of pixels (picture elements) per inch (ppi) or dots per inch (dpi) the screen has. A resolution has two parts: the horizontal measurement and the vertical measurement. Monitors with larger resolutions have a more focused and detailed image. A resolution of 1024 x 768 dpi is perfect for most of the work done on computers.
The standard connection for monitors is a 15-pin super visual graphics array (SVGA) connection. Many LCD monitors also have a digital visual interface (DVI) connection, which allows for uncompressed video data to be shown on the display. A DVI connector will have one of three names assigned to it, depending on the signal it implements: DVI-D (for digital), DVI-A (for analog) or DVI-I (for digital and analog). Most flat panel monitors will have a DVI-D or DVI-I connectors. Just make sure your computer has a DVI port so the monitor can connect to it.
Don’t forget to note the screen size of a monitor you are interested in buying. As a general rule, get the biggest screen your budget allows. Pay attention to the screen aspect ratio, too (its width divided by its height). Most people won’t need a wide screen for doing word processing or other home tasks, but wide-screen LCD flat panel monitors are great for those who need a lot of space for Web design or multi-media applications.
What does TFT mean?
Many flat panel monitors will also have “TFT” in their title, which stands for “thin-film transistor.” This stabilizes the image and prevents flickering. You will probably want a TFT LCD flat panel monitor, as it will help the monitor last longer and perform better.
Are there any extra features I might want to look for?
One handy feature you might want to look for is the inclusion of USB ports on the exterior of the monitor. Many of the best flat panel monitors will have multiple USB ports. Some monitors also have built-in speakers, which can save desk space. You can find monitors with A/V input, TV tuner and picture-in-picture capabilities, too.
Different monitors are ideal for different tasks. Here are some suggestions for finding gaming monitors, home monitors and office monitors.
Gaming monitor
A serious gamer will probably want a high-resolution CRT monitor with a refresh rate of 75Hz or higher. Get a 19- to 21-inch monitor for the best experience. Also check out Overstock.com's selection of computer speakers so you really feel like you're inside the game.
Home monitor
A flat panel monitor helps you save space and energy at home. A built-in USB port on the monitor would make it convenient for connecting digital cameras and transferring files between home and school. If you want more for your money, check out Overstock.com’s wide variety of refurbished flat panel monitors.
Office monitor
A good flat panel monitor for the office needs to be easy on the eyes since you’ll be looking at it all day long. Overstock.com has lots of high resolution LCD flat panel displays that provide the performance you need to run all your business applications. You can make your desktop posture-friendly with one of our monitor stands too.
We make selecting and buying the right computer monitor easy. You will save money on all your computer needs at Overstock.com.