Computer Monitors

Choosing the right monitor for your computer

Whether purchasing a new computer system or upgrading to a new computer monitor, choosing the right monitor can be a daunting task. Things to consider are what types of applications will used and for how long. Flicker rate is important because if used in an office environment the monitor refresh rate may interact with the fluorescent lights, leading to eye strain and headaches.

Some types of computer monitors will allow you to change the refresh rate as well as the color, balance, contrast and brightness in order to give you optimum visual settings. These setting can either be done manually or via the computer through the use of monitor drivers. When choosing a monitor size, the measurement isn’t taken from side to side but rather it is measured diagonally across the screen.

LCD Monitors

Liquid crystal display, otherwise known as LCD, is a type of monitor that is a flat thin film that uses electricity to align molecules in certain patterns to create the image. These are flat screen monitors that are very light in weight and have an excellent color range and sharp, clear images.. LCD monitors are much sleeker than older CRT displays, but they are limited by what’s called the viewing angle. This is the angle that gives the most visually appealing and crispest view. When this angle is surpassed, some image coloring is lost and the clarity is gone.

Flat Panel Monitors

LCD and plasma monitors are often grouped together under this term. “Flat panel” refers to monitors that are ultra light, very thin and use digital technology. When choosing a flat panel monitor it is important to understand where the monitor will be used and what the viewing angle will be. Also important is whether the monitor was manufactured widescreen (the monitor is wider than it is tall), or if it’s a standard dimension. A widescreen monitor will be more useful to a person working in the design field. When purchasing the monitor have it set to an all white or all black background; this will help to locate any dead pixels. With the technology becoming more readily available, flat panels are dramatically coming down in price.