There are currently two types of monitors available for computers. One type is the cathode ray tube or CRT monitor. This type is basically like your television. There are also flat panel versions of CRT's that have a flat display surface instead of a spherical display surface. CRT monitors are normally larger but provide the best look for full motion video and intricate graphic designs. They are also the least expensive.

A relative newcomer to the scene is the liquid crystal diode or LCD monitor. They are common on laptops but as the technology has matured they are starting to become more competitive with CRT monitors in both price and quality.

Important Features to Consider when Purchasing a Computer Monitor

Screen Size

Size is by far the most important quality to look for in any new monitor. The bigger the screen size the more you can fit on it as well as the easier it is to see. All monitors are measured like televisions, on the diagonal from the upper left corner to the lower right corner or vise versa. There is a significant price difference between different sizes and many times there is a price break between sizes where the manufacturing industry currently has the most output. At this time LCD monitors are more expensive but the prices are falling as manufacturing picks up. However if you need more viewing area dual monitor rigs have their advantages too. You will need to purchase not only a dual head video card for your system but 2 new monitors as well.

Resolution

Resolution is another important factor along with size. Resolution is a measure of the number of pixels or dots the monitor can produce both on the horizontal and vertical. For instance 800x600 means the monitor can display 800 dots across and 600 dots up and down.

Pitch

Dot or Pixel pitch is a feature that can be important depending on your application. Pitch is the distance between colored dots or pixels on the screen. For most people a pitch of .26mm or smaller is best. If you read documents online for great periods of time the smaller the pitch number the easier it will be on your eyes. However if you are just viewing video then .26mm is fine.

Refresh Rate

Refresh rate is also an important feature to look for. CRT monitors call this their Refresh Rate and LCD monitors have what is called a response time. This simply means the screen will refresh what you see at a given interval. For instance a common refresh rate for CRT monitors is 75MHz - 85MHz while a LCD monitor will have a response time from 30ms to 20ms. Again the faster the refresh rate the better it will be for your eyes.

Viewing Angle

The angle at which you can view the screen is also important especially if you are going to have multiple people together viewing the same screen. It is important for LCD monitors to have the widest viewing angle from 140 degrees to 180 degrees. CRT screens do not have this limitation.

Inputs

Another important feature to look for is the type of input required. Many monitors today come with several types of inputs but there are some with only one type. The type of input required is dependent on what type of output you have on your video card. Today there are two types, Analog and DVI. The new type, DVI, is the best to use because it uses a digital signal to send the information to the monitor.

Video Card compatibility

It goes without saying that when you are looking at new monitors you should also look at your video card. Make sure that your video card can support the recommended refresh rate and resolution of your monitor. This will help extend the life of both your monitor and your eyes.

Warranty

The manufacturer's warranty is also something to consider when purchasing a new monitor. CRT monitors have a tendency to fail after 3 years and LCD monitors are usually rated from 10 to 50 thousand hours of operation. You can usually find a good 3 year warranty on any monitor purchased today. The longer the warranty the better chance you will have at getting it replaced if and when it does fail.