LCD Monitors information

Some flat-panel televisions also use LCD technology, and although many LCD TVs can be hooked up to a computer, there's a big difference between LCD displays meant primarily for your home theater and LCD monitors intended to be used with computers. LCD televisions smaller than 32 inches rarely have resolutions beyond 1366 by 768 pixels. That's enough to adequately display DVDs and HDTV, but it's far below what you'll find in a monitor meant primarily for your computer. A 24-inch widescreen computer monitor (some of which can also double as a TV) has a resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels, enough to fit two full web pages or documents side-by-side on the screen. See the ConsumerSearch report on LCD TVs for more.

You still get more size and more pixels for your money with a CRT (tube) computer monitor. CRTs are heavier, require much more desktop space and consume much more electricity, and disposal is a major environmental issue. Manufacturers have all but phased out tube production. For more information, see our separate report on CRT computer monitors.

Every trustworthy reviewer uses DisplayMate software for testing. If you're interested in doing your own monitor testing, see the DisplayMate.com website.

If you buy a monitor that isn't height adjustable, you can buy a monitor stand. About.com also offers free instructions for building a monitor stand. (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation).

TFT Central is the best educational source. It offers a complete explanation of all specifications, a guide to widescreen monitors, FAQs, buying guides, a glossary, reviews and technical explanations about how panels and functions work.

A simple explanation of LCD-panel technology type and characteristics can be found at [H]ardForums.

A guide to panel types and models used in monitors can be found at LCDTech.

LCDResource.com is a terrific, up-to-date, brand-specific usage guide for fine-tuning monitors. The site has lots of additional useful information, too.

Although many websites have LCD monitor buying guides, most of them are seriously out of date. X-bit Labs' LCD Monitors Buyer's Guide: Fall 2007 is satisfactorily current.

BeHardware.com has conducted a survey of dead pixel policies.

Dead Pixel Buddy is a free program that will let you scan your monitor for dead pixels.

FlatpannelsDK has a search engine that lets you match panel models with monitor models.

Research shows bigger screens are better (for productivity). Read the report at Bit-tech.net.

You can also find specifications and more information on manufacturers' websites:

Apple

Dell

Eizo

Gateway

Hewlett-Packard

NEC

Samsung

ViewSonic

Benq

Lenovo

Acer