This is a big breakthrough for the average user. The old CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) monitors that sit on most desktops today are ugly, heavy, and take up a lot of space. The new LCDs are better in almost everyway. They are thin and lightweight. They free up considerable precious desktop space. Because they use an entirely different technology, they are inherently clearer and easier on the eyes. They emanate no radiation and consume less power than the CRT monitors.

Now that I’ve sold you on the technology, there are a few things that you should know before you head to the store for your purchase.

Analog vs Digital Hook-up

All flat panel monitors are digital, but they come with two different types of connection, analog and digital. Some monitors have both types of connection available and can be used through either an analog or a digital connection. This is an important distinction for several reasons. The way you hook the flat panel monitor up to your computer will depend on the type of connector that you have built into your computer’s video card.

Most of today’s computers have video cards with only analog connections. If you have a regular CRT monitor attached to your computer, you can be sure that you have an analog connection. It is, however, possible that you have a digital connection available as well. You can check your computer by looking at the video card on the back of your computer. Follow the cable from the monitor to the computer. It will connect to the video card. Compare the connector(s) on the video card with this picture. An analog connector will look like the picture in the illustration below labeled 15-Pin VGA. VGA stands for Video Graphics Array. A digital connector will look like the photo in the illustration below labeled 24-Pin DVI-D. DVI stands for Digital Video Interactive.

Analog vs Digital Performance

In side by side comparisons, a monitor hooked up digitally will have better picture quality than the same monitor hooked up through an analog connection. With an analog connection, there is always some analog to digital conversion needed, and this will affect the picture quality. Since the monitor is digital and the computer is digital, if the connection is digital, no conversion is necessary and the picture quality is better.

So why use analog at all? First, as previously noted, most computers in use today have analog only video cards. Also, the DVI (Digital Video Interactive) or digital connector used on video cards, has only recently gained enough acceptance to become a standard for future video cards.

Previously, flat panel monitors when used with an analog connection were known to produce a kind of pixel jitter where individual pixels on the screen moved around slightly. This didn’t happen with laptop computers because they were always hooked up directly to the video controls digitally, but it often affected desktop flat screens. Improved technology in the newer monitors with analog connections have eliminated this problem, making flat panels with analog connections quite good.

Viewing Angle

One thing to be aware of when purchasing a flat panel monitor is the viewing angle. All flat monitors look best when viewed straight on. Once you move to the side or top or bottom of the screen, the screen clarity drops off. This is where you will see one of the biggest differences between the inexpensive and more costly monitors. High end monitors will usually have better peripheral viewing angles. In everyday use, the viewing angle makes little difference if you sit directly in front of the monitor. If, however, you sit at an angle or you plan to use the monitor to display the screen to a group of people who gather around the monitor, the viewing angle can be very important.

Size

The important thing to remember when discussing the size of an LCD flat panel monitor is that the screen size is measured differently than it is in the old CRT monitors. (I think they do this just to confuse us!) Don’t worry about the details; just be aware that a 15-inch flat panel monitor is bigger than a 15-inch CRT. In fact, the viewing area on a 15-inch flat panel is almost as large as the viewing area on a 17-inch CRT.

Extras

Inexpensive monitors will have only the basics, but some more expensive monitors have additional features like built-in speakers and USB ports. These are certainly nice, but usually unnecessary, options.

A nice extra to look for is the amount of flexibility that the monitor has in adjusting its viewing angle. You can tilt most monitors to adjust the viewing angle from top to bottom. Better monitors may also allow the unit to swivel from side to side and have adjustments for the height of the monitor. Both of these are great features.

One wonderful attribute available on some higher-end monitors is the ability to turn the monitor 90 degrees to change the viewing orientation from landscape to portrait. This is another great feature that allows you to see more of a long document or Web page.

The advantages of the flat panel monitors are obvious. Recent price reductions have made them affordable for the average computer users. If you think you might be interested, why not start shopping them now? You never know when you might have trouble with your trusty old faithful 15” LCD screen. When the time comes, at least you will be ready to try the thin approach.