Monitor

Contents

Description
What To Look For
Recommendations

Description:

Monitors obviously display what is going on in your computer. They can run at various resolutions and refresh rates. 640x480 is the default resolution for the Windows operating systems (this is a low resolution where objects appear large and blocky). 640x480 just means that 640 pixels are fit across the top of your monitor and 480 up and down. Most users prefer higher resolutions such as 800x600 or 1024x768 all the way up to 1600x1200 (and higher for graphics professionals). The higher resolutions make objects smaller, but clearer (because more pixels are fit in the screen). You can fit more objects on a screen when it is in a higher resolution. Larger monitors are better for running at the higher resolutions. If you run a high resolution on a small monitor, the text may be hard to read because of its small size, despite the clarity.

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What To Look For:

• First, consider the monitor size that you want. The larger you can get, the happier you will be. The monitor is the one part that you can keep with you through all the times you upgrade your computer or purchase a new computer, so it doesn't hurt to spend the extra money once on a monitor you will be happy with for awhile. 15" is considered the bare minimum anymore. 17" monitors are also on the small end. The 19" monitors provide a nice large screen at a fairly cheap price, and they don't take up a huge space on your desk either. Anything above 19" is pure luxury and not really needed unless you're into graphic design, etc. If you plan to do graphic design, watch DVDs at your computer, or even play a lot of games then a 21" or larger monitor may be just what you need.
• The type of monitor is very important in many users' eyes. To me, the "aperture grille" monitors (aka Trinitron or DiamondTron) provide a much superior image to the traditional "shadow mask" monitors, despite having two faint support wires across the screen. Aperture grille monitors are also usually flatter than the shadow mask monitors.
• The dot pitch of the monitor is one of the most important things to look for when considering a new monitor. It basically shows how clear the picture will be (higher dot pitch numbers may provide a fuzzy image). Anything at .26 mm dot pitch or smaller should be fine for most users. Pay attention to how the dot pitch is measured. It can be written as horizontal, vertical, or other forms. Usually horizontal is used, but avoid or at least question monitors that present different measurements for the dot pitch. Aperture grille monitors often have a dot pitch "range." If that is the case, look for a range of .25-.27 or better (.24-.25).
• Look for monitors that support fairly high resolutions for their size. Consider, however, that it is impossible for a small 14" monitor to display at 1600x1200 resolution (same for a 15"). 17" monitors are about the minimum to be able to run at 1024x768 comfortably. A 15" monitor can usually do 1024x768, but objects are small and somewhat hard to see. 19" monitors are ideal for running at 1024x768, 1280x1024, or even 1600x1200 (although that's a little too high for my eyes).
• Higher refresh rates will definitely make computer work easier on your eyes. Consider 75-85 Hz as a minimum refresh rate for any resolution that you actually plan to run your monitor at. Anything above 85 is a nice bonus... Make sure your video card will support the higher refresh rates and resolutions.
• Another important thing to consider is how flat the monitor is. Watch out though, many manufacturers call their monitors flat, but they are only flat up and down. Sony's "FD Trinitron" monitors are perfectly flat both up and down and side to side. A flat monitor avoids distortion of the image by the curves in the monitor.
• LCD flat panel monitors are becoming more popular, but not because of better image quality. While they can be brighter, in general the image quality is better on a regular CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor. LCD monitors are really just useful because they take up less desk space. They are also prone to stuck pixels and ghosting of images (since they redraw slowly), thus they are poor for games.
• The monitor's controls can be important as well. These are helpful in tweaking the picture for proper brightness, contrast, and taking the picture to the very edges of the monitor, not to mention for removing any slight curves or other abnormalities that may be present in the picture.
• Some monitors come with USB hubs that allow you to easily attach desktop USB items like mice, keyboards, or game controllers without crawling behind your tower case. Front mounted microphones are also often included on the monitors. The speakers that occasionally come on monitors usually have terrible sound, and I would not recommend them.

Buying Tips:

The nice Trinitron tubes are all made by Sony, but often resold to other manufacturers who then build the casing around the tube and sell the monitor for less than the Sony model costs. So, you can get essentially the same monitor for a lot less. You can get monitors like these from manufacturers such as KDS and Princeton Graphics.

Recommendations:

17" Monitors
19" Monitors
21" And Larger Monitors

• 17" Monitors:
• Any of Sony's current 17" FD Trinitron monitors with .24mm aperture grille pitch would be a great choice. These include model numbers CPD-E240, HMD-A240R, CPD-G220R, and CPD-G220S. The primary differences are max resolution (1600x1200 on the G220) and the inclusion of speakers (in the G220S).
• Other monitors that use the same tube as the monitors listed above (just different case, controls, and possibly resolutions / refresh rates) include the Viewsonic G71F+SB, CTX PR705F, IBM P76, and a few others.

• 19" Monitors:
• Once again, I choose Sony's FD Trinitron monitors with .24mm aperture grille pitch. These models include HMD-A440, CPD-E440, and CPD-G410R.
• Other monitors that use the same tube as the Sony monitors above, but for a lower cost, include the Philips 109P40, IBM P97, and probably others..
• Also worth considering are the NEC/Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 930SB and FP912SB which also have a .24mm aperture grille pitch and are similar to Sony's but use NEC's own tube.

• 21"And Larger Monitors:
• Sony's GDM-F520 is a 21" Trinitron monitor with an amzaing .22mm aperture grille pitch. This is by far the best monitor you can get. However, the cost is prohibitively high (about $1,500) - twice the cost of other "good" 21" monitors. It has the sharpest image available though, and you can tell the difference.
• Sony's CPD-G520 and CPD-E540 are 21" monitors with a .24 mm dot pitch throughout (not variable).
• A good alternative to the Sonys is the NEC/Mitsubishi 22" Diamond Pro 2040U is a "Diamondtron" monitor (Mistubishi's version of Trinitron). The dot pitch is slightly higher at .24.
• There are a couple other good options that use the same tube that's in the Sony CPD-G520 (just a different case and controls). These include the HP P1130, IBM P260, Compaq P110, IBM P275, Nokia 445Pro, and the CTX PR1400F (which comes with a USB Hub).
• The Viewsonic P815 is a good choice if you prefer shadow mask monitors. This display has a .25mm dot pitch for a crisp display along with a USB hub.
• Another good shadow mask choice is the Iiyama Vision Master 504 (model # S104MT). This 21" monitor also has a crisp .25mm dot pitch.