Choosing the Right PC Monitor Today

Choosing the Right PC Monitor Today: Are you looking for a new computer monitor? ...contemplating on what size to buy? ...thinking on whether going for a CRT or an LCD monitor, whether wide-screen or standard display, digital or analog, a single monitor or more? If your answer is yes to any of the questions above, then you should read the following guide on choosing the right PC monitor.

The monitor is probably the most significant PC accessory. So it is very important to choose the right one. According to recent studies, a monitor can affect the productivity of a computer user at work. So without further a do, these are the things to consider before buying:

Size:
15 inch monitors are still the most widely used size in the world. Most computer sets that are sold here in the Philippines come with a 15" display. But for me, the average size to consider when buying a monitor these days should be the 17 inches. Because when you consider the price, there is only a slight difference between a 15" and a 17" display. If you have money to spare, the bigger the better. I always wish I had a bigger monitor especially when I’m multitasking, photo editing or watching a movie. But a 17" monitor will do just fine for normal use and for practical reasons.

CRT vs. LCD monitor:
LCDs produce more vibrant images and better "real-world" contrast ratios than CRTs. CRTs can display more colors and have faster response time than LCD monitors. But today, some high-end LCD monitors are displaying more colors and faster response time than most CRTs. The prices of LCDs are still relatively higher compared to CRTs but for me, buying an LCD monitor is worth it.

Widescreen vs. Standard:
Between a widescreen monitor and a standard screen display of the same sizes, a widescreen is best for multimedia because most certainly, new movies will be in widescreen format. A standard display is ideal for most office applications and for surfing the web as most websites are still optimized for standard screen. For bigger sizes like 19 inches up, I would chose widescreen because it is useful for multitasking as I can easily divide the desktop and put two windows side-by-side. For smaller than 19" monitors, whether widescreen or standard, it’s all up to you.

Digital vs. Analog:
For me, there is really no obvious discrepancy between a digital or analog display in terms of output quality. But most will say that digital is better than analog so if the price is right, go for digital. If you want, you can have both, some monitors have digital and analog connectors at the same time.

Single Monitor or More:
Having a multi monitor is definitely a plus especially when programming or when digital editing. Personally I use two monitors; the second monitor is used for easy access to other opened window applications. It is also useful for testing my program for different screen resolutions. But for the average computer users, no need for additional monitors because one will do the job.

Conclusion:
There you have it. Some more important things to consider when looking for a monitor: Always pick the one that is right for you. Like what is right for your budget, room space, and on what mainly will you use it for.