If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the monitor screen must be the window to the computer. Most of your interaction with the computer depends on the screen, but how do you choose among the hundreds of options?
Stick around, and we'll help you make sense of the many features available. You should be able to find a display that will meet basic needs for $100 or so, although you can easily spend $500 or more on a larger and more sophisticated one.
Sleek flatness has replaced boxy fatness. Those big, boxy monitors are still available, but as the quality of flat-screen displays has gone up and price has gone down, only a dedicated minority of customers still favors them. Let's compare:
Big and boxy monitors
- Can display more precise colors (most users won't really be able to tell the difference, though)
- Excel at showing fast motion in games and videos without streaking
Flat displays (aka Liquid Crystal Displays or LCDs)
- Are much less bulky and lighter
- Take less power and generate less heat (which is good news for the environment, as well as for those of us who want a larger monitor without having it weigh 100 pounds and taking up our entire desk)
- Are just a few inches thick
- Have advanced to the point that high-quality, reasonably priced models are now available
What do you mean, "digital?" Monitors can be either digital or analog; digital units are more expensive, but offer better quality. Without getting into the details, computers are digital beasts and must convert the display output before piping it to an analog monitor. Something is always lost in the translation, and, in this case, it is a small amount of picture quality. Therefore, those with plenty of money and a wish for the very best should consider spending the extra money for a digital monitor. For the rest of us, less expensive analog monitors should be just fine.
Deciphering the features. When you start comparing displays, understanding the terminology can lead to confusion, despair, and eventually just buying whatever the salesperson tells you to. Don't be a statistic–read on:
- Display size is what most people consider first. It's the diagonal measurement from one corner of the screen to the other, and it ranges from about 17 inches to 24 inches. Larger screens can show larger images, which is useful for fine graphics, photo, or video work. They are also great for those of us with eyes that are "more mature."
- Wide-screen displays are wider than standard displays, but the same height. Users who favor them tend to multitask on their computers, but it's not really necessary for most users.
- Maximum resolution refers to how many tiny squares–called pixels–that make up the display can be shown on the screen at once. The resolution is defined as the number of pixels from left to right across the screen by the number of pixels from top to bottom. Higher resolutions, with a larger number of pixels, produce sharper pictures. A decent monitor should be able to handle at least 1024 x 768 pixels, but if you like to have a lot of programs open and don't mind smaller graphics, you'll want a monitor with a much higher resolution.
- Contrast ratio measures the difference in light intensity between pure white and pure black. Lower-quality displays have low contrast ratios, which can make everything on the screen look kind of muddy. Higher contrast ratios provide crisper images with more distinct colors. A contrast ratio of at least 500:1 is good; 700:1 is even better.
- Brightness (or luminance) indicates how much light the screen generates. Especially in a room with a lot of ambient light, a bright screen can help to reduce eye strain. Here's a place where we tote out the bizarre units: brightness is measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m2), which is kind of like measuring speed in furlongs per fortnight, but I digress. Look for a value of at least 300 cd/m2.
- Response time measures how fast a pixel on the screen can change color. Faster response times keep the display crisp even when things are moving fast, which prevents a "smear" or "ghosting" effect. For productivity applications, response time is beside the point; for games and media, it is more important. Under 5 milliseconds (ms) is very fast, while over 15 ms is pretty slow.
You can also go big, without buying anything new. Another option is to connect your computer to your television screen. This can be a fun way to go, especially for casual computing at home. Many computers have built-in S-Video (the "S" stands for "separate") outputs that allow direct connection. Or you can purchase an add-on video card with an S-Video output. Be aware that setting up your computer to display on your TV can be tricky. You'll want to talk with the computer manufacturer before deciding to go in this direction.
Be your own judge. Of course, don't let this article or anything else replace your own judgment. Go out and try some displays at your local computer emporium, and decide for yourself what suits your needs. It's a good idea to try out the displays with the different kinds of content you will actually use, from a word processor to a game to a movie. Make sure you like the controls for adjusting things like brightness and contrast. And keep the receipt. Occasionally, you'll get the monitor home and it may not work well in your particular environment.
