What to consider when buying monitors

Every month computer technology seems to change. We are constantly upgrading our business systems or cleaning our home office hard drives. Sometimes we let our monitors lag behind the times. Choosing monitors can be much more fun that choosing a hard drive. After all, monitors are what we look at every day. So, consider the time and effort of choosing a monitor to be like choosing a television. You want the best resolution, size and color clarity that you can afford. Monitors come in sizes ranging from 15 inches to 40 inches. For optimum viewing, most people want something in the 17-to-24 inch range. For home use, modern LCD monitors are a plus. They are lightweight and easy to move. Plasma screens are available in the large sizes but are much more expensive. LCDs now include flexible stands for a more comfortable viewing position. Prices are tied into size but also into resolution issues. For instance a smaller monitor with higher resolution capabilities might be a better buy for you than a bigger monitor that is not as well made. The smallest screen size is 15, 17 or 19 inches. These may be had for $120 or more.

The size then goes up inch by inch with some half sizes in between. Generally the lower priced models top out at 24 inches. Thirty inch screens run from the low thousands to two thousand plus. Forty inch screens run thousands of dollars and are too large for most homes. You can still choose between a regular screen and a wide screen, although wide screens are more common the higher you go in size. A widescreen provides a width/height ratio of 16:9 or 16:10. A normal screen provides ratio of 5:4, which is similar to regular television. Since the movement in screens is toward widescreen, you may find a deal on regular screens. The best idea is to decide your price range and then compare models by their picture quality numbers. Less expensive models start out with a 500:1 contrast ratio. This grows with price until the contrast ratio is as high as 20,000:1 in the most expensive models. However, the contrast ratio is most important when you use the monitor for games or movies.

If your monitor is primarily for business or word processing and email, you will not notice a difference. Smaller models offer an excellent contrast for their size. Maximum resolution begins at 1024 X 768 in less expensive models and climbs upward. It is possible to get a 20 inch monitor in the $200 range that has a higher resolution than some larger, pricier models. An avid gamer might seek a higher resolution, if money is not an issue. However, the average game player or movie watcher will be happy with the lower range, which is adequate for daily use. Many models now have built-in speakers. Compare the added price of built-in speakers against the purchase of speakers and you will find that built-in speakers are a deal.