Computer Monitors Reviews

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Computer Monitors Reviews

Best Computer Monitors Reviews: (out of 11)
CNet.com, CADalyst.com, BeHardware.com

Best Computer Monitors: (out of 30)
HP Compaq FS7600e, ViewSonic G90fb, NEC MultiSync FE992-BK

Fast Answers - Best Computer Monitors
Top Rated What the Research Says
•  HP Compaq FS7600e
   (*est. $150)

>> Where to buy

17-inch CRT computer monitor.

While 15-inch CRT monitors remain available from some vendors, 17-inch models are now considered the entry-level size. This HP Compaq monitor is clearly a budget product. However, it offers a number of positives, including a flat screen for better edge-to-edge clarity. The HP Compaq monitor has a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels, and a recommended resolution of 1024 x 768 at 85 Hz, yet it is less expensive than LCD monitors with similar specifications.
•  ViewSonic G90fb
   (*est. $215)

>> Where to buy

19-inch CRT monitor.

19-inch CRT computer monitors have higher resolution than 17-inch CRTs, and you'll see more of a document or web page without scrolling. The ViewSonic G90fb has a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1440 (the recommended flicker-free resolution is 1600 x 1200 at a refresh rate of 77 Hz). Reviews say the ViewSonic produces colors that are rich and vibrant. Performance with photos is especially nice. This monitor comes with image-adjustment software so you can tweak settings. (compare prices)
•  NEC MultiSync FE992-BK
   (*est. $190)

>> Where to buy

Budget 19-inch CRT.

The NEC is a little less expensive than most 19-inch models, but it also has lower resolution. This monitor has 1600 x 1200 maximum resolution, but the recommended level (because it is easier on your eyes for long periods) is 1280 x 1024 -- adequate for most applications. The NEC monitor gets high scores in reviews for brightness, contrast and vivid colors. Like the ViewSonic monitors, it has a flat screen (flat picture tube) for sharper images. The NEC FE992-BK has a black cabinet, though it is also available as the NEC FE992 in white.
•  Viewsonic G225fb
   (*est. $460)

>> Where to buy

21-inch flat-screen CRT monitor.

This 21-inch ViewSonic is the successor to the GF220f, which earned great notices for accuracy of color, clarity and brightness. The ViewSonic G225fb has a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536 -- a resolution that exactly matches that of a 3-megapixel digital photo. This means photographers can edit full-screen, full-resolution digital photos (of 3-megazpixels or less). This is an obvious advantage over an LCD monitor, since most 21-inch LCD monitors top out at 1600 x 1200 pixels, and larger LCDs cost considerably more.
>>  Comparison Chart

Full Story
What the experts say, our analysis, and more...
Updated January 2007

LCD monitors now outsell CRT monitors by a wide margin, and monitor makers have either greatly trimmed their CRT offerings or abandoned CRT technology altogether. Still, there are some reasons to consider a bulkier CRT computer monitor. The better CRTs are flat-screen monitors that keep the image clear from edge to edge -- not to be confused with flat-panel LCD monitors. (See our separate report on LCD monitors .) Some people who work with photos and computer-aided design (CAD) still prefer CRT monitors for their accurate colors and higher resolution at a relatively more affordable price. Some gamers also remain loyal to CRT computer monitors because of their faster response times, meaning less blurring of fast moving images, resulting in better game play and higher scores.

Most, if not all, professional reviewers have ended their coverage of CRT computer monitors. Still, because many CRT monitors have been on the market for several years, and because there have been relatively few new product introductions in this category, some older professional reviews remain relevant and useful. Those include reviews at CNet.com and at CADalyst.com, a website for imaging professionals. Other ongoing resources for CRT monitor reviews are user-opinion sites, such as Epinions, or the user-feedback sections of retailer sites such as Circuit City.com or Newegg.com. Of course, the quality and usefulness of those reviews can vary greatly.

If you want a computer monitor for general use -- like web surfing and office tasks -- a CRT computer monitor can be a cost-effective option, but even that advantage is disappearing. A 19-inch CRT (which offers about 18-inches of viewable screen area) will set you back less than $225. Budget 19-inch LCD displays can also be had for around that amount, or even less, although better screens will still cost a bit more, around $250 to $350. So price is no longer the significant deciding factor it once was.

On big plus is that CRT displays are capable of higher resolutions than equivalent LCD monitors. That characteristic is more pronounced at larger screen sizes. For example, the Viewsonic G225fb (*est. $460) is a 21-inch CRT model capable of resolutions as high as 2048 x 1536, something that few if any LCD monitors can accomplish, at any price or screen size. By contrast, a 20.3-inch LCD display typically has a native resolution of 1600 x 1200, while a widescreen 24-inch LCD has a resolution of only 1920 x 1200, yet can cost twice as much or more. Of course, CRT monitors are much bulkier and heavier than their LCD counterparts.  ... Continued

Consensus Report

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks Model (with retailer links) Details from Amazon.com
3
2 Viewsonic G90fb (*est. $215) -
1 each Viewsonic G70f , Viewsonic G225fb , Lenovo (IBM) E74 , Philips 109B65/27 , , e-Machines eView 17F3

In this case, our Consensus Chart is a little misleading. Most of the reviews in our All Reviews section are dated, although some of the monitors (or their essentially identical successors) remain current. The most up-to-date reviews can be found on user review sites such as Epinions or retailer sites such as Newegg.com, Amazon.com and CircuitCity.com.

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Computer Monitors Reviews