17- and 19-inch LCD monitors are today's mainstream models for most home and office users, delivering the best combination of affordable prices and roomy screens. Keep in mind these essentials when shopping for one.
ASPECT RATIO
Most computer monitors are moving from the standard proportion of width to height of 4-to-3 to the wider 16-to-9 format. The 16-to-9 format allows for viewing several documents at once, screening letterboxed movies, or watching high-definition television (HDTV) in wide-screen format. You can still find plenty of 17- and 19-inch monitors in the 4-to-3 format, but manufacturers are increasingly phasing out the smaller 17-inch size as larger-sized displays become cheaper to manufacture.
RESOLUTION
Higher resolution generally yields better image quality. Most 17-inch and 19-inch flat panels have a native resolution of 1,280x1,024; 19-inch wide-screen displays and a few 17-inch wide-screen displays usually feature 1,440x900 resolution. Make certain you're comfortable using an LCD at its native resolution before you buy it, because the image will be blurry if you need to scale the resolution up or down.
CONTRAST RATIO
Contrast ratio indicates the difference in light intensity between the brightest white and the darkest black. Look for a contrast ratio of at least 400-to-1 for a more dynamically detailed image. The ratio is measured in varying ways, however, so rely on such figures cautiously.
PIXEL-RESPONSE RATE
This spec, measured in milliseconds (ms), refers to how quickly a pixel can change colors. Theoretically, the lower the milliseconds, the better the monitor can handle fast-moving images. If the pixels can change quickly from black to white, you should see fewer ghosting or clipping effects (an indication that the monitor has trouble keeping up with the fast action). Manufacturers have started to market monitors with low response rates (some as low as 2ms), but you should be aware that this number isn’t based on real-world usage. Plus, manufacturers use a variety of methods to achieve the low number (such as measuring a gray-to-gray, or GTG, response time rather than black-to-white). Most current panels have GTG response rates of 8ms or less; gamers and video buffs should look for GTG response rates of 5ms or less.
LUMINANCE
Luminance, or brightness, is expressed in nits, or candelas per square meter (cd/m2). A measurement of 250cd/m2 is suitable for most productivity tasks; a higher rating is better for viewing television and movies, or for doing demanding work with color graphics.
DIGITAL VERSUS ANALOG CONNECTIONS
LCDs must convert analog signals before they can be displayed. A graphics card with Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connectivity can send the signal straight to the display in digital format—no conversion is required. Most LCDs come with an analog input (also known as a VGA or D-Sub port), some have both analog and digital interfaces, and a few are digital-only. A digital connection is best.
VIEWING ANGLE
Brightness and image colors shift if you view an LCD off-center. If at all possible, make your own observations of the panel you're considering, and remember that viewing-angle issues are increasingly noticeable the bigger a panel is.
PORTRAIT / LANDSCAPE MODES
Some LCDs pivot, letting you switch between traditional horizontal (landscape-mode) or vertical (portrait-mode) orientation. This feature can be useful for desktop publishing, Web surfing, and viewing large spreadsheets. Consider whether you'll actually use the pivot function if you have to pay extra for it, though.
ADJUSTABILITY
Ergonomics are important, so look for a monitor that enables you to adjust the height of the display to a comfortable viewing level. Also, a monitor that swivels from side to side enables you to show your screen to others, should you need to.
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