Resolution refers to the size of the images that can be displayed onscreen and is measured in pixels. A pixel is a single dot on your screen. The higher the resolution, the sharper the output - which lets you display more (smaller) elements onscreen. Resolution is expressed in numbers of pixels, in both the horizontal and vertical directions such as 800 X 600, 1024x768, etc.
Monitor Type
There are two types of computer monitor, LCD and CRT:
Computer Monitor: LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCD / Flat-panel monitors is a digital device that use backlit liquid crystal technology to produce images on a transparent plastic screen. Flat screen LCD monitors are showing up on desks everywhere. They save space, have sharper image quality, and look utterly modern, too. Here is the picture of a LCD monitor:
Computer Monitor: CRT (Cathode Ray Tubes)
CRT monitors are analog devices that use a continuous stream of electrons to create an image on the screen. That means that your graphics card must convert the computer's digital signal into a signal that the CRT monitor can understand. Here is the picture of a CRT monitor:
Monitor Brand:
There are quite a few of brand available on the market with different size and color of the computer monitor. These included: Samsung, BenQ, ViewSonic, LG, Dell, Acer, NEC, Philips, Gateway, etc.
Monitor Screen Size
We measure the size of a monitor by measuring from corner to corner, diagonally. Bigger screens allow you to expand the size of text and pictures to make them easier to read, and clearer. However, the bigger the monitor size, there are also more expensive.
Here is a typical monitor size available: 14", 15", 17", 19", 20", 21", 22", 24", [or whatever latest]
CRT or LCD: What's the Difference?
Advantages of LCD Monitors
- Flat-panel monitors weigh less and take up much less space than CRTs.
- The image on an LCD screen is sharper and brighter than a CRT.
- LCD screens don't flicker.
- Extended viewing is less fatiguing using LCD monitors.
- LCD monitors are more energy efficient, so the cost of operation is lower.
- Fast-moving images on an LCD can smear.
- LCD screens look best at just one resolution; they don't look as good with non-native resolutions.
- The price of an LCD monitor is more expensive than a CRT with comparable quality.
- CRT monitor are cheaper.
- Color depth and response time are better, so games, DVD movies, and TV shows may look better on a CRT (but LCDs are catching up).
- A CRT looks good from any viewing angle.
- CRTs can accurately display multiple resolutions and refresh rates.
- CRT monitors occupy a lot of desk space and weigh are heavy.
- The phosphors inside a CRT eventually wear out; the image on a three-year-old monitor won't look as good as it did when the monitor was new.
- CRTs consume three times as much electricity as LCDs.
- Focus around the outer edges of the image is often less sharp than at the center.
- The image on a CRT is not as sharp as the same image on an LCD at the LCD's native resolution.
- Over time, a CRT monitor becomes less sharp that it was when new.
- CRTs are not as bright as LCDs. This can be important in a room with very bright lights or outdoors in sunlight.
- CRTs produce magnetic and electromagnetic radiation as well as a lot of heat.
