In recent years, flat-panel LCD (liquid crystal display) and TFT (thin film transistor) monitors have replaced the bulkier, traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors for most computer users. Although CRT monitors are still available from vendors, they are being phased out by manufacturers and for most purposes, LCD / TFT monitors are now preferable to CRT.
LCD refers to the type of display. A Liquid Crystal Display works by having two layers of polarised material with liquid crystal in between.
Each crystal is like a shutter, either allowing light to pass through or blocking the light off. LCD screens have been superseded by better quality TFT displays, which have eradicated the disadvantages of LCD such as slow refresh rate. TFT uses a transistor for each pixel, and provides a much sharper image.
For a more in-depth view of the technologies involved, you can find out more here.
Native resolution: Because a TFT display uses a matrix of pixels to display its image, it has a "native" or fixed resolution at which the display looks best. A 15-inch TFT has a native resolution of 1024x768; most 17-, 18-, or 19-inch models use a 1280x1024 native resolution. High-end TFT displays may use 1920x1080 resolution or up to 2560x1600 on a 30-inch monitor. The native resolution should be one you are comfortable using for all your programs and applications. It may be possible to go lower (and in some cases higher) during operation, but the image is likely to appear blurry. Some models are better than others at handling non-native resolutions. If you need to change your monitor resolution frequently, a CRT monitor may be more suitable.
A basic 15" TFT display with a native resolution of 1024x768 pixels can now be bought for between £60 - £70. A 17" LCD monitor gives a native resolution of 1280x1024 pixels and costs from around £80 - £90. Expect to pay from £100 for 19" displays. You will need a 20" monitor for a native resolution of 1600x1200 pixels, costing around £150+. Widescreen monitors are now also becoming popular with resolutions up to 1920x1080 (full High Definition), with 24" units costing around £300 - £350.
Additional features may include a USB hub, microphone and speakers, although the sound quality of monitor speakers is likely to be poor. Some monitors incorporate a TV tuner, which allows the monitor to double as a standalone TV, but these are significantly more expensive.
There are several different types of input. A VGA (video graphics array) is an analog input that allows a monitor to work with any PC, but a DVI (digital video interface) input gives better image sharpness and colour accuracy. VGA and DVI inputs are standard on most monitors.
An HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connection is used to connect the monitor to a high definition source, such as a Blu-ray player, video game system or a DVR-based HD Cable/Satellite box.
Graphics Card Support: If you are upgrading your monitor, note that older graphics cards may not support HDMI or even DVI connections.
Also, be sure to check the resolutions that your graphics card supports. If your card doesn't support the native resolution of your monitor, you may get poor-quality images or find that your monitor is unusable.
Most graphics cards sold in the past few years can easily drive a 19-inch standard or widescreen display, but some older graphics cards may have trouble reaching very high resolutions.
Widescreen: If your budget runs to it, the widescreen format has a number of advantages over the standard display. Widescreen allows you to view multiple windows side by side, so that you can work in more than one application. A widescreen display is also noticeably better for games and multimedia.
Viewing angle: A notable disadvantage of TFT displays compared to CRT is the reduced viewing angle, which means that the screen will appear darker or lighter depending on the angle from you view it. This can make it hard to work out which is the intended brightness level of a picture you are looking at and makes precise work with colour difficult. This problem is likely to be worse with cheaper monitors. The reduced viewing angle means that the stand is an important consideration. A good stand will provide a number of adjustment options. Tilt and swivel should be the minimum capabilities, while a better stand will also allow height adjustment. Some stands even let you switch between landscape and portrait modes.
Although TFT monitors are usually very reliable, make sure you can return it easily if it's flawed. The backlight is the part most likely to wear out, so check to see how it can be replaced if necessary. Look for easy-to-reach front panel controls that are clearly labeled and for an easy-to-use on-screen menu.
Although they have been discontinued by many manufacturers and are becoming increasingly difficult to find, CRT monitors are still preferred by some gamers and for applications where colour quality is important. The colour clarity of CRT monitors can now be matched by high-end TFT displays, but at much greater cost. If you are producing artwork where colours and output are important, a CRT monitor may still be a better choice. Precise adjustments can be made to the contrast, brightness and hues so that CRT monitors are better able to represent actual document colours. Screen resolution is not fixed as with TFT displays.
A good quality 19-inch CRT can be bought for under £100. CRT monitors often come with built-in additional features such as USB hubs and/or microphone and speakers. These can be useful in reducing desktop clutter, but sound quality in monitor speakers is likely to be poor. CRT monitors are far bulkier than flat-panel TFT monitors, so require more desk space, and they consume more power.
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