Which Monitors are right for You? - Computers - http://maxpages.com/nanotechnology/Monitor

Compared to a 50-foot yacht or a Ferrari, a high-end computer monitor is a very affordable luxury. Pricey displays, such as Apple Computer's new 22-inch Apple cinema Display, at $3,999 or SGI's Silicon Graphis 1600SW at $2,695, account for only a small fraction of the market, appealing mainly to graphics and financial professionals. Most users take the opposite approach- the monitor is one of the places they economize. Many opt for the small standard monitors that come bundled with low-end machines or have to settle for what corporate MIS managers deem appropriate.

That can be a mistake. Given the number of hours most users spend staring at the screen, dollars invested in top-quality monitor can be money well spent. A high resolution display with a crsip, stalbe image is easier on the eyes, and a big screen (a 19-inch model, for example will provide enough space to keep several windows open and work effiently on several documents or tasks at once.

There are two basic technologies to choose from conventionl TV-like CRT (cathode-ray tube), monitors or flat-panel LCDs (liquid crystall displays),the technology used in notebook computers. CRTs are the most comon monitors and represent the best dollar value. Becuase of their video-tube technology, the displays are bulky and heavier than LCDs, which use a flat panel of glass. Large CRTs in the 19--21 inch range cost from $500 to $1200 depending on the model. To reduce bulk, some models have a more compact, short-neck video tube, and some manufacturers have developed CRTs that have a flat glass creen to minimize distortion.

Flat-Panel displays gained attention several years ago when prices dropped rapidly, with some 15-inch models falling below $1000. But stron demand and a production shortage of components in Asia have kept most LCDs above that threshold. The appeal of flat-panel displays is simple: They provide high resolution without the bulk, weight, or large footprint of CRT monitors. Most manufacturers offer flat-panel displays, and many computer makers include them as standard or optional in a PC bundle. Gateway, NEC, and others have also created new space-saving, all-in-one desktop computer systems incorporating the flat-panel displays.

Although most LCDs use analog signals, the newest high-end displays accept pure digital data directly from the computer. Look for forthcoming models from SGI and Compaq that comform to what's called the digtal -video input (DVI) standard.

Wheather you are considering a CRT or a flat-panel display, you'll want a minimum resolution of 1024 X 768 pixels (called XGA resolution), although higher resolution is preferalbe. Before you buy, check that the image is crisp, clear, and stable. The monitor is your window to the computer, so make sure you like what you see.

Excerted:

Home Office Computing (CurtCo FREEDOM Group)
www.hoc.smalloffice.com from all editions, 1999-2000

PC Computing November 1997 Copyright

Fortune December 7th, 8th 1998 Copyright

CommuniQue March 1998 edition Issue 89 Copyright.

Chris Yurko from Home Office magazine

Sign Guestbook

View Guestbook

lingates123@yahoo.com

Visitors: 00891

Page Updated Wed Jun 6, 2001 5:25pm EDT