Tip #4605 - Monitors: LCD vs. CRT
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Monitors:
LCD vs. CRT
There’s
a fierce battle raging in the world of computer monitors these days!
It’s basically old technology pitched against a constantly evolving
new technology and there's no telling who will eventually triumph
over the other. It will more than likely be LCD, but for now, let's
take a look at the following factors before favoring one over the
other. Here we go!
Size Does
Matter
There’s
something to be said about Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors. To begin,
the size is a lot less than what is usually given. For example, if
it’s a 32" monitor, it actually means 32" diagonally.
However, a 17" CRT monitor will only have a 15.7" viewable
diagonal image. This is where LCD monitors score, because they are
measured by the actual size of the screen.
Look
at the Applications
If you're really
into gaming or your job is to create high-end graphic designs and
animations, a larger, more advanced CRT screen is still the best bet
for you. But, if you're a home user who isn’t so particular
about size or application, an LCD screen would do just fine. The image
quality on an LCD is excellent, the look is more contemporary and
it doesn’t strain your eyes that much either. Now, if your preference
is a CRT monitor, don’t buy anything smaller than a 17”
monitor. Similarly, if you're going for a 15" LCD monitor, you
might as well go for a 17,” because they cost pretty much the
same. If your house is spacious enough, you should go for the biggest
LCD monitor you can afford.
The Price
Stakes
There were days
when there was quite a price difference between LCD and CRT monitors.
But with much of today's technology streamlined and quality controls
in place, it’s increasingly becoming a business with high volumes.
And the best part? The prices are going southward as the days fly
by. According to the price stakes, a 19" LCD monitor can be purchased
for an affordable $200. However, for LCD sizes larger than 21,"
the price shoots up by 50 to 100 percent. If a 21" LCD can be
had for around $250, the larger sizes cost upwards of $400.
Bundled
Monitors
If you're going
for a branded PC, the monitors (whether LCD or CRT) come with it.
However, those monitors may not score high on quality and performance.
So, it’s best to choose the right brand that is good at all
of these things. The way out of this is to go for an "assembled
PC," where you go to a vendor and choose the brand of PC, UPS,
DVD ROM, hard drive, monitor and so on. The best way to find the best
monitor for yourself is to check out the entire range of monitors
and go for one that suits your needs the most.
Don’t
Mistake Them for Flat Screens
You can get a
flat screen CRT monitor, as well as, an LCD. So, just because the
vendor is promising to hand you a cheaper flat screen monitor, don’t
think it’s an LCD and jump for the deal. You should always ask
the vendor if it's a CRT or an LCD. That's the only way to know for
sure.
Happy monitor
shopping, my friends!
~ Zahid H. Javali
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