Buyers Guide: Monitors

Everyone seems to have an opinion on the best type of monitor but, given a few basic technical requirements, in reality it comes down to what you like the look of

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CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitors are less fashionable, mainly due to the rapidly dropping prices of TFT (thin-film transistor) flat-panel models. But CRT technology is more than 100 years old and has a lot of strengths. CRTs are bulky, heavy and power-hungry, but are now excellent value for money.

Resolution is the number of graphics elements displayed on a screen. Known as pixels, they are generated by your graphics card. In any TFT or LCD, each pixel is
composed of three sub-pixels coloured red, green and blue. In a CRT the pixels are spread in a grid across the screen separated by a distance called the dot pitch. The smaller the dot pitch, the sharper the image.

With TFTs, each pixel is composed of three rectangular thin-film transistors. The number of pixels equals the ‘native’ resolution; a 1,024 x 768 TFT will have exactly that number of pixels horizontally and vertically.

CRTs usually have a higher resolution than a TFT of the same size and work perfectly at any standard resolution up to the quoted maximum. Running a TFT
below its native resolution can result in a poor picture.

Check your TFT’s native resolution meets your needs – gamers wanting 1,600 x 1,200 will probably need an expensive 20in model – most 19in panels are currently limited to 1,280 x 1,024 and budget 14/15in models might only support 800 x 600.

Modern TFTs can be viewed from a wide range of angles vertically and horizontally, but anything over +/- 45º makes no difference in normal use.

Response time is the time taken for a pixel to reach maximum brightness – 12-25ms
is typical – faster is better. Some newer monitors now have response times of 4ms or 8ms.

TFTs have high quoted contrast ratios, but this is often a maximum figure. Evenness of lighting is more important than the overall brightness specification.

The ISO 13406-2 standard specifies minimum requirements for display contrast, viewing angle, brightness, reflections, flicker, contrast and defective pixels. You
may see the standard incorporated in a TUV label with the words ‘Ergonomics Approved’ or ‘ISO 13406-certified’.

The TCO’ 95 and ’03 standards cover electromagnetic emissions, noise and ergonomics – ensure the monitor has at least one of these. ISO 13406-2 has stringent standards for defective pixels. Only Class I TFTs are guaranteed no defective pixels – most consumer models are Class II. Some manufacturers offer some dead pixel guarantees with Class II TFTs.

Monitors - Recommended models

17in

LG Flatron L1732P
Fast 4ms response time makes this 17inch monitor a great choice for gamers
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Samsung Syncmaster 173P
Ergonomic, with a good picture quality, if slightly under-saturated, and the screen is very adjustable

Viewsonic VP171B
The VP171B has great picture quality, but the viewing angles are slightly restrictive

19in

Acer AL1922HS
The AL1922HS offers a great balance of features, performance and price

CTX S966A
Excellent value for money and looks a lot more expensive than it really is

Samsung Syncmaster 913N
A great combination of features and quality for this 8ms model, but lacks DVI connectors

AGM CW-19
A basic, no frills monitor with a smart, compact design; solid performance and an incredible price make this great value
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20in

HP f2105
The f2105 is an excellent monitor if you have the space for it. Image quality is superb as are the viewing angles
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Belinea 10 20 35W
A perfectly capable monitor at a price that makes it difficult to ignore, unless you must have the best possible image quality
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Fujitsu-Siemens S20-1W
Superb build and image quality combine to make one of the most attractive monitors in its class
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