From The Cheap Computer Monitor to Top Model Choices

The computer monitor is a very important part of your computer. Hey, you can't really use a computer without a monitor! Typically they have carbon or plastic casing and the viewing screen is made of glass or some kind of composite material. The resolution span is 1024 x 768 pixels for SVGA traditional monitors and 1600 x 1200 pixels for more top of the line monitors.

Computer monitors come in a variety of sizes and types. Early monitors were big and bulky and they began to get thinner as the years past. The original monitors were called CRT Computer Monitors; these monitors were around for years until flat screen monitors made an appearance. Then came the LCD monitor, which is becoming the most popular monitor. After the LCD monitor swept the market, the TFT Computer Monitor came along.

Besides display characteristics, look for other features like built-in speakers, USB ports, and coffee-fetching (OK, kidding about that last one).

Computer Monitor Definitions

The CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors can give you a crisp view of images. This is the best monitor for home or office use, but is becoming obsolete with the sleek flat panel computer monitors. CRT monitors are big and bulky (better have some desk real estate available - cause you'll need it!), have plastic or carbon frames with a glass display screen. They come in many colors and sizes, many even come with special overlay filter screens to help cut out the glare from lights or windows.

Flat screen computer monitors have a higher resolution range than CRT models. Flat screens provide clear-cut, vivid images that have high contrast ratios and can be viewed both vertically and horizontally. The LCD or liquid crystal display monitors use electronic liquid crystals to assign vividness and color to each pixel in an image. LCD monitors give you at least a 450:1 contrast ratio and a wider range of colors.

The TFT (Thin Film Transistor) monitors are much like the LCD monitors. TFT also uses the electronic liquid crystals for enhancing displays. The difference is that TFT monitors are able to generate pixels at a higher rate with a contrast ratio of 500:1 or higher and a response time of 8 milliseconds. That's sharp and fast!

If you're shopping for a monitor, here are six suggestions, from some more affordable models, to the top of the line. (The last one is WAY over the top of the line!)

Recommendations

The Windows Vista certified Hanns·G HW-173DBB Black 17" 8ms Widescreen LCD Monitor prices around $150. The monitor has a 500:1 contrast ratio and an 8ms response time. The panel can display 16.2 million colors.

The Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor prices around $190. The monitor has an 800:1 contrast ratio and a 2ms GTG response time. It is a 20” wide screen monitor. It can display 16.2 million colors.

SCEPTRE X23WG-1080P Black 23" 8ms Widescreen LCD Monitor Built in Speakers 23” wide screen monitor prices around $250. It has a 1000:1 contrast ratio and an 8ms response time. The panel can display 16.7 million colors.

The ViewSonic Optiquest Series Q241wb Black 24" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor Built in Speakers wide screen monitor prices around $380. The monitor has an 800:1 contrast ratio and response time of 5ms. It is energy star compliant and has built in speakers.

The Hanns·G HG-281DPB Black 28" 3ms Widescreen LCD HDMI Monitor Built in Speakers prices around $600. The monitor has an 800:1 contrast ratio and the response time is 3ms. The monitor is energy star compliant and has built in speakers.

Really want to go nuts? Take a look at the ViewSonic CD4200 Black 42" 8ms Widescreen LCD Monitor Built in Speakers for the big picture. Can you even imagine 42" on your desk? Forget about work. Television shows, movies and games will really come alive on this widescreen.

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