Washington - One 27-inch computer monitor costs $250 (about R1 750), while another retails for over $1200. What's the difference, other than cost?
The answer lies in the details. Today's flat panel LCDs (liquid crystal displays) for computers employ different technologies for different target groups. Understanding what you're getting with a more-expensive LCD is key to knowing whether to shell out the extra money for one. Read on to learn more.
Q: So what is the difference between the really expensive and the cheaper LCD computer monitors?
A: There are two primary technologies behind LCDs today: One is called twisted nematic (TN) and the other is known as in-plane switching (IPS).
Generally, less expensive LCDs are based on TN technology. These displays are relatively inexpensive to produce these days, which is why you see a raft of 22-inch or larger monitors at prices less than 300 dollars.
TN displays used to suffer from ghosting or “shadow trails” when object were moved around on the screen. Now, however, this problem has been resolved, and the so-called response time of these displays is often a selling point.
A downside of TN panels is a limited viewing angle. That means that images on screen will look their best only when you are sitting directly in front of a TN monitor. Shift to the right or left - or look at the panel from one side or another - and you're likely to notice that the colours “shift” somewhat and that the image on screen begins to look washed out.
However, manufacturers of some TN panels have done a lot over the past few years to improve viewing angles, but generally this limitation persists.
IPS technology, by contrast, was the result of efforts to improve the viewing angles of LCDs. Today, IPS panels are known for their excellent performance in this regard.
IPS displays also tend to produce more vibrant colours and can be colour-calibrated to a greater degree than TN panels. Colour calibration helps to ensure that the colours you see on the screen will match those that are printed out.
So which technology is right for you: TN or IPS?
If you're like the majority of users, you'll be more than pleased with the images produced by today's TN panels. Plus the lower manufacturing costs mean that you can get TN-based LCDs at bargain prices. On the other hand, if you must be able to correctly calibrate the colours displayed by an LCD, then the more expensive IPS models will be the way to go.
Q: Other than size and image technology, what else should I look for in an LCD?
A: Stand quality and stand adjustability are two important parts of any LCD, especially larger ones. In general, look for monitors that don't wiggle easily when the desk is touched. Also, look for height adjustment in stands as well as the more typical tilt adjustments.
Also, determine whether you need or want a glossy - as opposed to a matte - surface finish on your LCD. Glossy screens are popular today because they show well in stores. But in fact they're often ill-suited to standard computing chores, since backlights can cause glare on the glossy surfaces, and that glare can in turn cause eye strain or simply make the images on screen more difficult to see.
Finally, look for LCDs that offer individual adjustments of colours rather than simply colour “presets.” If you can individually adjust a monitor's colours when profiling, you'll end up with colours that you can be sure will more closely match your printed output.
Q: Should I get the highest resolution possible in an LCD?
A: Resolution numbers such as 1200x1600 refer to the number of pixels that make up images on your screen. Generally, people assume that higher numbers are better, but that's not always the case.
Higher numbers can mean sharper images in which pixilation is difficult or impossible to discern. But higher resolution monitors also display common screen elements such as icons and text smaller than do lower-resolution monitors of an equivalent size, and these smaller screen elements may be a disadvantage to those with aging eyes.
The best way to get a feel for the resolution and LCD size combination that's best for you is to visit your local computer store and actually look at different screen, noting the resolution and monitor size combination that you prefer. - Sapa-dpa
