How To Choose the Ideal Computer Monitor

Computer monitors, like televisions, have increased their quality dramatically as the price has dropped. While Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors were once standard for computer monitors, they are taking the back seat to Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors. LCD monitors are a great choice for all but professional level graphic designers. LCD monitors provide stellar colors and resolution in a compact, convenient package that is so much lighter than its CRT grandfathers. With the low cost and space-saving ability of LCD monitors, many people choose to replace their old CRT monitors that were yesterday's standard. However, are all LCD monitors the same, or are there things to look out for in a monitor? Here is a quick guide:

First priority 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 videos, 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 classifications have different strengths and weaknesses in response time, contrast ratio and viewing angles. However, for anyone but the most picky 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 today, they are fairly standard. Today, you can find LCD monitors up to 21 to 22 inches 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, which 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 replacing the old CRT monitor that came with a computer, consumers will be surprised to experience lower performance at home then they saw in a showroom or at a friend's home. The reason behind this is that the advanced technology of new monitors can be limited by the graphics card in your computer. Some new monitors have so many colors 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 would like to spend, the applications you will use it for, and the options and performance 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 graphics card on your computer. Finally, make sure that the monitor you choose comes with all necessary cables as this can be an additional expense not factored into the price.