Video Hardware, Part 1 - Monitor Selection Criteria
(Page 10 of 12 )
Stores offer a dizzying variety of monitor choices, from the low-cost units bundled with computers to large-screen tubes that cost more than many systems. Because a monitor can account for a large part of the price of your computer system, you need to know what to look for when you shop for a monitor.
Important factors to consider include:
Viewable image size
Resolution
Dot pitch (CRTs)
Image brightness and contrast (LCDs)
Power management and safety certifications
Vertical and horizontal frequencies
Picture controls
Environmental issues (lighting, size, weight)
This section helps you understand these issues so you can make a wise choice for your next display, regardless of the display technology you prefer.
The Right Size CRT-based monitors come in various sizes ranging from 15'' to 42'' diagonal measure. The larger the monitor, the higher the price tag—after you get beyond 19'' displays, the prices skyrocket. The most common CRT monitor sizes are 17'', 19'', and 21''. These diagonal measurements, unfortunately, often represent not the size of the actual image the screen displays, but the size of the tube. Refer to Table 15.1 to see how CRT monitors' viewing areas compare to LCDs' actual sizes.
As a result, comparing one company's 17'' CRT monitor to that of another might be unfair unless you actually measure the active screen area. The active screen area refers to the diagonal measure of the lighted area on the screen. In other words, if you are running Windows, the viewing area is the actual diagonal measure of the desktop.
This area can vary widely from monitor to monitor, so one company's 17'' monitor can display a 16'' image, and another company's 17'' monitor can present a 15 1/2'' image. Typically, you can expect to lose 1''–1 1/2'' from the diagonal screen size to the actual active viewing area. Consult the monitor's packaging, advertising, or manufacturer's Web site for precise information for a given model. For example, ViewSonic lists the size of its G73f CRT monitor as the following: 17'' (16.0'' VIS [viewable image size]). I recommend that you concern yourself with the VIS, not the tube size, when you select a CRT monitor.
Note -Most CRTs currently on the market are 17'' in size or larger; 17'' has become the current standard, with 19'' CRTs becoming much more common since the prices have dropped below $400.
You can adjust many better-quality CRT monitors to display a high-quality image that completely fills the tube from edge to edge. Less-expensive monitors can fill the screen also, but some of them do so only by pushing the monitor beyond its comfortable limits. The result is a distorted image that is worse than the monitor's smaller, properly adjusted picture.
In most cases today, the 17'' CRT monitor is the best bargain in the industry. A 17'' monitor is recommended for new systems, especially when running Windows, and is not much more expensive than a 15'' display. I recommend a 17'' monitor as the minimum you should consider for most normal applications. Displays of 19''–21'' or larger are recommended for high-end systems, especially in situations where graphics applications are the major focus.
Note -One of the many reasons I don't recommend low-cost computers sold by major retail stores is because they often are bundled with low-quality CRT or LCD monitors. Although 15'' CRT monitors are now less common than 17'' CRT monitors, many bundled monitors in either size have lower refresh rates, are bulkier, or have other deficiencies compared to high-quality third-party monitors. If you buy the computer and monitor separately, you have a wider choice of displays and can get one of higher quality. You can also opt for an LCD if space, rather than cost, is a major factor. Note that some vendors who make or sell both computers and LCDs, such as Sony and HP, now bundle some of their computer models with LCDs.
Larger monitors are particularly handy for applications such as CAD and desktop publishing, in which the smallest details must be clearly visible. With a 17'' or larger display, you can see nearly an entire 8 1/2''x11'' print page in 100% view; in other words, what you see onscreen virtually matches the page that will be printed. Being able to see the entire page at its actual size can save you the trouble of printing several drafts of a document or project to get it right.
With the popularity of the Internet, monitor size and resolution become even more of an issue. Many Web pages are designed for 800x600 or higher resolutions. Whereas a 15'' monitor can handle 800x600 fairly well, a 17'' monitor set to 1024x768 resolution enables you to comfortably view any Web site without eyestrain (if the monitor supports 75Hz or higher refresh rates) or excessive scrolling.
Note -Although many monitors smaller than 17'' are physically capable of running at 1024x768 and even higher resolutions, most people have trouble reading print at that size. A partial solution is to enable large icons in the Windows Display properties (right-click your desktop and select Properties). In Windows 98/Me/2000/XP, select Effects, Use Large Icons. Windows 95 doesn't have an option to enlarge only the icons; you can use the Settings tab to select Large Fonts, but some programs will not work properly with font sizes larger than the default Small Fonts setting.
 | This chapter is from Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 16th edition,by Scott Mueller. (Que Books, 2004, ISBN: 0789731738). Check it out at your favorite bookstore today. Buy this book now! |
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