What the heck is a...?

A computer display, also called a monitor, is the screen people use to view images and interface with their PC. There are a few different hardware technologies that display output generated by your computer, but the three main ones are:

• Plasma, the newest, most hyped-up technology, usually chosen for televisions as opposed to computer displays
  
  
• CRT (cathode ray tube) this was formerly the most popular monitor and uses a picture tube, like many televisions before new millennium technology
  
  
• LCD (liquid crystal display) is the most popular display purchased for new computers and receives computer and television output

Advantages and Disadvantages of Plasma

Plasma displays are more frequently used for home entertainment, but there are also plasma displays that accept computer output. Advanced technology involving ionized gas, UV radiation and color phosphors to create the images on the screen. A plasma display is an unnecessary expense for personal and business use in most instances. An LCD screen offers a sharp, effective display at a much more realistic price for models under 42”. CRT monitors can provide a screen that with true colors and images that come up quickly (games like this because you have no trails on the screen).

The hype about plasma is the thinness of the display and the alleged range of colors visible on the screen. You can get a thin display and super color for a lot less cash so don't get sucked in by that salesperson at Circuit City.

Advantages and Disadvantages of CRT

CRT is the older type of monitor around, and is often preferred by graphic designers and gaming junkies because

of the rich color and great range of resolution. This display is like a television tube with a moving electron beam in a tube that sweeps images into a screen. CRT displays are heavy, take up space and use a decent amount of energy but offer good results for a low price.

Size: The size of the monitor is not really the size of what's displayed because the tube is usually covered by the screen casing. The manufacturer states a measurement for the viewable area, which is what is actually visible to you when you look at the screen. For example, a 17” screen may have a 15” visibility. CRT displays come in sizes from 15” to 21” and higher, with 17” and 19” being the most popular sizes chosen. Consider how much space you have for the display and what the computer will be used for to figure out what size display works best for you.

Screen: Although CRT displays were traditionally rounded, now there are also flat screens available at very reasonable prices.

Resolution: As you set your resolution higher, things on the screen will look smaller. Your graphics card and resolution capability of your monitor should be compatible. Commonly used resolutions include 800 x 600 (SVGA), 1024 x 768 (XGA), 1280 x 1024 (SXGA) and 1600 x 1200 (UXGA). A 17” display will usually support SXGA and some can even handle UXGA, so choosing a size between 17” and 19” is usually best and cheapest for personal use. Anything bigger than 19”, the sweet spot for value and performance, is really a waste.

Refresh rate: The refresh rate is how often the screen gets redrawn each second. A display with a rate lower than 75 Hz is usually detectable and can cause eye fatigue.

Brightness: This is important to adjust for visual comfort and it usually isn't quite right coming from the factory. Most displays have buttons on the front, much like a television, that let you adjust the contrast and brightness.

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