Computer Monitors Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best Computer Monitors. See our ratings criteria

For recommendations of best Computer Monitors, see our Fast Answers page, which summarizes what these reviews say. A longer summary and analysis appears in our Full Story report for Computer Monitors. Our Where to Buy page contains information on retailers and Computer Monitors prices.

Where to Buy

Fast Answers

Full Story

All Reviews

Computer Monitors Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Computer Monitors Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. CNet.com	CRT Monitor Ratings Editors of CNet.com As of Jan. 2007		Although it's been a very long time since CNet.com has reviewed CRT monitors, two models remain available and in production. The Viewsonic G70f receives the site's highest rating, despite what's called "mediocre" image quality. A particular issue is a lower than desirable 66 Hz refresh rate at the monitor's maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024, which can lead to eyestrain. Things are much better at the monitor's recommended resolution of 1024x768, however. Notably, user reviews of the Viewsonic at CNet.com are not kind. The NEC MultiSync FE992 is described as having a screen that is "pleasantly glare-free" which delivers accurate grayscales and color. "It's a solid display overall," concludes reviewer Kristina Blachere.
2. CADalyst.com	Large-Format CRTs Ron LaFon Sept. 1, 2005		In this older article, reviewer Ron LaFon looks at two CRT monitors: the Viewsonic G220f (which has since been replaced by the G225fb) and the NEC MultiSync FE992 (which is still available). Although some minor color purity issues are noted in the FE992 (dull yellows and reds that tended more toward orange), he gives the monitor a five-star rating for a display that's generally "crisp and attractive." The monitor's design is another strong point, with an on-screen menu system that's described as "among the best I've encountered." The G220f also earns a five-star rating, with the only shortcoming being contrast, which is described as "weak."

Computer Monitors Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Computer Monitors Ratings Comments on Reviews

3. BeHardware.com	The last CRT survey Vincent Alzieu Mar. 30, 2006		Because of falling prices and the improving performance of LCD monitors, author Vincent Alzieu says he sees little reason to stick with CRT technology. Still, he writes that conducting this "last" CRT survey was a pleasure, even though he himself had abandoned CRT for LCD some time ago. Alzieu names the Viewsonic P227FB (available only in Europe) as the overall winner. The Philips 109B60 is the only monitor in the roundup that's still available in the United States, but it does not fare particularly well. Of note, images showed considerable blurring at the recommended resolution and refresh rate of 1600 x 1200 pixels at 75 Hz.
4. Consumer Guide.com	Computer Monitors Reviews and Prices Editors of ConsumerGuide.com As of Jan. 2007		The Viewsonic G90fb is recommended here as a "Budget Buy." The reviewer notes that the monitor is a relative bargain, but "when you get a rock-bottom price, you can't (or at least shouldn't) expect everything." In particular, although color quality is called good for general use, image brightness and sharpness are not as good as they could be. Focus issues also limit the usability of the monitor's highest claimed resolution settings (which range up to 1920 x1440). This is the only CRT monitor currently reviewed by Consumer Guide, which has markedly improved since its association with How Stuff Works.
5. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Computer monitors: More screen for less Editors of Consumer Reports June 2006		Consumer Reports no longer rates CRT monitors, though there is a sidebar here noting that CRTs may still be a better choice for gamers, photographers and graphics designers. While the information is not included in the ratings chart, the magazine reports that they did test two CRT monitors and that those outperformed half the LCD monitors in the chart. Given the fact that they did test CRT monitors, it is a disappointment that Consumer Reports chose not to provide more information on the results.

Computer Monitors Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Computer Monitors Ratings Comments on Reviews

6. Newegg.com	CRT Monitors Contributors to Newegg.com As of Jan. 2007		Newegg.com is an Internet retailer that allows customers to share their experiences with others. Within each listing, there is a voting summary that shows how the overall rating was reached, and each reviewer states his or her level of technical knowledge and how long the product was used. As with all user-review sites, the quality of the individual reviews varies, but the reviews here are often more knowledgeable than those at Epinions or Amazon.com. The 19-inch NEC FE992-BK has the most reviews of any current-production monitor on the site, and those reviews are mostly positive. The Philips 109B65/27 rates slightly higher, but has fewer reviews.
7. CircuitCity.com	Flat Screen CRT Monitors Contributors to CircuitCity.com As of Jan. 2007		Circuit City allows users to post their experiences on this website. On one hand, the reviews tend to be somewhat less informative than those on Newegg.com. However, the site gets more traffic, so there's a larger number of reviews. Two 17-inch monitors, the Compaq FS7600e and the eMachines eView 17f3 are the only current models listed. Both score relatively well with users, although the eView 17f3 has received far more reviews.
8. Amazon.com	CRT Monitors Contributors to Amazon.com As of Jan. 2007		Amazon.com is another online retailer that allows owners to post user reviews of equipment they own. While there are not a huge number of reviews here, some are insightful, written by gamers and graphics pros. Unfortunately, the site includes lots of discontinued monitors, ultimately making it less useful than Circuit City or Newegg.
9. Epinions	CRT Conventional Monitors Contributors to Epinions As of Jan. 2007		Epinions invites readers to rate products, and there are about the same number of reviews here as at Amazon.com. The ViewSonic G90fb gets the most reviews among current monitors, and the majority of those are positive. Most other current monitors get just one or two owner-written ratings. One positive is that the reviews tend to be longer and more detailed than on other user-review sites.
10. About.com	Monitors Mark Kyrnin Not Dated		Kyrnin lists his top 17" and 19" LCD monitors. These seem to focus on the manufacturers listing of features versus actual testing by Kyrnin. A comparison of CRT and LCD monitors is included. Kyrnin adds that most companies no longer produce CRT monitors.

Computer Monitors Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Computer Monitors Ratings Comments on Reviews

11. CompUSA.com	CRT Monitors Contributors to CompUSA.com As of Jan. 2007		Users here have the option of leaving a short or ratings-only review. Even the short reviews, however, are usually less informative than those on other user-review sites. A few monitors get a half dozen or so ratings or reviews.