If you're looking for a new monitor, you may be wondering whether to stick to a CRT monitor or splurge on a tasty LCD. Our guide to the differences will help you make the right choice.
One of the peripherals that many PC users take for granted in a computer system is the monitor. When buying a computer, most people tend to focus on the configuration settings such as the processor speed, memory storage and even the size of the monitor, but seldom on the type of monitor.
However, what most users fail to see is that the monitor plays one of the most important roles in displaying what's running in the computer. Without it, there is no way you can see or control a PC. In many cases, it is also the component that usually lasts the longest since it can be re-used even if you upgrade your computer.
There are two main types of monitors available in the market now; Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The majority of computers come with CRT monitors, which use an electron gun to excite phosphor elements (in red, green and blue) in varying intensities to produce the desired image on the screen. LCD panels, on the other hand, use liquid crystal cells (arranged in clusters of three to form a pixel) to block or transmit the light from the back to form the image.
Unlike motherboards and processors, selecting a monitor doesn't require much technical knowledge. The key considerations basically involve the budget and the purpose of the monitor. Traditionally, CRT monitors are preferred because of their lower price and better display resolutions, compared to LCD displays. However, recent advancements in LCD technologies have enabled manufacturers to increase screen resolutions while bringing prices down.
Thus the question now is: are LCD displays worth considering? Or are CRTs still a better buy? To help you better understand the right monitor for your needs, we take a closer look at some of the advantages of each type of display.
Advantages of LCD displays
The biggest advantage of an LCD monitor is its compact size. Compared to CRT monitors of the same size, LCD panels take up less than half the desktop space. This allows it to be used in places where space is a constraint and where a CRT monitor won't fit. For those who attend LAN (local area network) gaming parties, the lightweight design of the LCD display makes transporting equipment a hellava lot easier. Physical dimensions aside, most LCD panels come in sleek-looking designs which appeal to users who want their computers to blend well with their room decorations.
In terms of image quality, LCD monitors are known to produce brighter displays, which allow them to be used in places where the ambient lighting conditions are high. As LCD displays are flicker-free, it causes less headaches and eyestrain to users, too. What's more, LCD panels draw 40 percent less power than similarly sized CRT monitors, produce less heat, and do not emit electromagnetic interference or X-rays (which CRTs do), making them somewhat safer and cheaper to use in the long run.
Verdict: You should consider an LCD monitor if you are using it for Web surfing, simple office applications or where desktop space is limited.
Advantages of CRT monitors
CRT monitors may be relatively bulky and use more power than an LCD display, but their low price point makes them a popular choice among most computer shoppers. A 17-inch display easily costs less than half that of a 15-inch LCD model. (Do take note that LCD panels reflect the true viewable display size of the screen but the actual viewable screen on CRT monitors is usually 1 or 2 inches smaller than the rated number.)
Size, however, is not the main reason most gamers and graphic designers are still sticking to CRT monitors. Rather, it is the superior image quality. CRTs can not only display more colors than an LCD, the former can offer various different resolutions and produce more contrast in images. CRTs also have a wider viewing angle and faster response times, making them useful for videos and moving images.
Verdict: CRT monitors will appeal to those who demand high-quality image reproductions as well as those on a budget.
1%
8%
