Flat Screen Computer Monitor Buying Tips

Flat screen computer monitors are far more common today than traditional CRT monitors. While most people assume that he main benefit is that they take up less space, another great reason to purchase one is because these types of monitors offer clearer pictures and higher resolutions than CRTs ever could have been capable of.

CRT monitors were around for decades, and started out in green and black. The first models had very small screens, while later models had screens up to 17 or 19 inches. They always had large backs to house the internal tubing, much like CRT televisions. A flat screen computer monitor does not need the large tubes and bulbs that CRT models do, which is why they are so much more slim.


Most of the ones that you can find on store shelves are LCD monitors, which were the first main line of flat screen televisions and computer monitors. The initial technology in these monitors was either very expensive or low quality, so those who did not spend a great deal on their flat screen monitor would have less than fantastic quality. This was mainly due to the contrast ratios and the response times that these older models had, which often left blacks looking more gray than black and streaks behind fast-moving images. This is why many people who play computer video games stuck to CRT monitor models until contrast ratios of at least 10,000: 1 and response times reached lower than 10 milliseconds to move into the new monitor age.

But not only are the images clearer and the colors more vivid on a modern flat screen computer monitor, but they also come in larger sizes. You can find monitors that are easily upwards of 20 inches. While this may seem excessive in theory, you get a much wider resolution with this size and can have several windows open at once for easy viewing. So while they are still flat, they do have a much larger viewing area. Anyone who uses computers on a regular basis knows how irritating it can be to have to use a small monitor, most of which only support resolutions up to 1024 by 768 pixels at the maximum.

Another plus is that flat screen monitors are also more affordable than ever. You can find models with decent response times and contrast ratios for less than $250 these days, even ones that are up to 25 inches in length. For this reason, now is a better time than ever for anyone who has yet to upgrade to finally start looking at a flat screen computer monitor. There are more reasons to buy one than there are reasons not to, by far.