Buying Guide for Monitors

The monitor you choose should depend largely on your computer's primary use. Generally speaking, the more you depend on the words or pictures on the screen, the bigger and better you'll want those words and images to appear. Space may also be a consideration, and monitors now come in sleek profile LCD models that are more affordable. The good news is that monitor technology, while improved, doesn't change as rapidly as computer system technology, so there is less worry about buying something that will be quickly outdated.

What features should I be looking for in a monitor?

Monitor features vary in importance according the intended use of the monitor (e.g. resolution is more important for a graphics professional). That said, here are some of the main features and what to look for in them:

Viewable screen area: the amount of screen area, measured diagonally from corner to corner, that can be seen. If a traditional (CRT) monitor is 17", its viewable size may only be 15", depending on the amount of casing around the screen. Flat panel monitor casing generally doesn't cover the screen, so a 15" LCD monitor will give you the equivalent viewing area of a 17" CRT monitor, a 17" LCD the equivalent of a 19" CRT, and so on. Your usage will determine how big a screen you need. If you'll be using your monitor a lot, working in graphics applications, or formatting complex spreadsheets, you'll want to look for a bigger screen.

Pitch: in general, the space between the tiny dots of color on your screen. Less space between the dots means a crisper picture, so a monitor with .25 (in millimeters) dot pitch will have a greater clarity than a monitor with .28 dot pitch. If you come across other kinds of pitch (e.g. pixel or stripe pitch), a different technology is used (e.g. LCD). You can't directly compare the different kinds, but again, a lower number means a crisper picture.

Resolution: the number of pixels displayed vertically times the number displayed horizontally. The higher the numbers, the more pixels and therefore more image detail. Smaller monitors may support higher resolutions, but the images and words will be tiny. Bigger monitors are better for viewing higher resolutions, and therefore are the best monitors for graphics professionals and those who need to create elaborate spreadsheets. Watch for the maximum flicker-free resolution refresh rate, because if you go to a resolution beyond that, the screen will flicker.

The monitor I'm looking at is a flat screen CRT model. Is that the same as flat panel?

No, flat screen technology simply means there is less curvature to the screen, which allows for a crisper picture on the edges of the screen. Many flat screen CRT models have near perfectly flat screens, but are generally not any less deep in size than a regular monitor. Flat panel displays, such as an LCD, employ an entirely different technology in bringing the image to the screen, and generally allow for a much thinner design, which can save valuable desk space and add a very sleek look to your desk.

What is dot pitch, and why is it important?

Dot pitch represents the space between the tiny phosphors of the same color in adjacent pixels. In English, that simply means the space between the tiny dots of color on your screen. Less space between the dots means a crisper picture, so a monitor with .25 (in millimeters) dot pitch will have a greater clarity than a monitor with .28 dot pitch. If you come across other kinds of pitch (e.g. pixel or stripe pitch), a different technology is used. You can't directly compare the different kinds, but again, a lower number means a crisper picture.

What's the basic difference between CRT and LCD? Do I need LCD?

CRT, or cathode-ray tube monitors are the monitors that have been around forever. The technology has gotten much better, and pictures can be extremely clear with vibrant, photo-quality color. The thing that hasn't changed, however, is the size. CRT monitors are large and take up lots of desk space. LCD, or liquid-crystal display monitors use the same technology in any LCD display, such as a digital clock, although the technology has also advanced enormously. Pictures have great clarity, although color depth (the number of colors the monitor can display, in hundreds of thousands or millions) is often sacrificed a little, although you probably won't notice it unless you're a graphics professional. LCD monitors tend to be very slim, and perfect for areas with tight space. They are more expensive than CRT monitors, although they have come down in price. Do you need one? It really comes down to size. If you need the space, or like the slick design, an LCD may be the perfect option. If you are more concerned with image quality, a CRT may be your best bet, although a good LCD probably can also do the trick, just at a greater price.

What do I need to buy with my monitor?

Unlike printers, monitors generally come with their cables. If you need to get creative with the location of your monitor, it might be a good idea to buy an extension cable to get more flexibility. As an added bonus, some monitors come with built-in, attachable, or standalone speakers, but quality and type vary greatly. Some also come with microphones, but again, quality varies. If you'll be staring at your screen for any length of time, you might want to pick up some type of a glare guide to reduce eye strain. Finally, some advanced graphics cards in computers have requirements a monitor must meet to work properly with the card. If you think that might be the case, contact the maker of the card (or the computer maker if the card came with the computer) to ask, or contact Frys.com customer service.

I bought a Mac computer. Will any monitor work with it?

Most monitors these days will, but not all. You must make sure you monitor is compatible with the Macintosh platform. Consult the product details to make sure, and if you can't find the answer, contact Frys.com customer service.