Monitor size on a CRT monitor is not measured like a TV. On a TV, a 32″ TV means that the actual picture is 32″, measured diagonally. On a computer monitor, a 17″ monitor might only have a 15.7″ viewable image, measured diagonally. The law requires that a monitor manufacturer disclose the actual viewable image size along with the monitor size, but the marketing used often leads one to think they are getting a bigger picture than they really are.

LCD monitors, on the other hand, are not measured using the tricky viewable area measurement. An LCD monitor is measured by the actual size of the screen. The measurement is taken diagonally, from corner to corner, just as with the CRT.

When searching for your next monitor you have the choice to choose between a regular CRT monitor or a more modern LCD display. Since the prices of LCD’s have dropped considerably in recent years, the choice between the two often comes down to application. Whereas some hard-core gamers and graphics developers may still stick to a larger, advanced CRT screen, the average computer user can now seek out an LCD screen at affordable price. LCD’s offer several advantages offer conventional CRT monitors including a sharper image and smaller footprint (size). There is also no more need to adjust the refresh rate with LCD’s as there was with CRT’s.

If you are still interested in CRT monitors, a size of 17″ or 19″ has pretty much become standard these days. One would be foolish to purchase anything smaller than this, and a CRT less than 17″ is pretty hard to find these days anyway. At the time of this writing, the same size standards happen to hold true for LCD’s due to continued advances in technology and continued decreases in price. Many owners of LCD displays have either a 17″ or 19″ model. 15″ or smaller LCD’s are starting becoming pretty rare these days, and often cost the same as a 17″ LCD, sometimes even more. If you are shopping for an LCD, you are best of buying a bigger, newer, model unless you are really pressed for space.

At the end, the choice of LCD vs. CRT is up to the individual user and the intended application, but there is a general trend in the technology industry of moving away from CRT technology towards newer and more advanced LCD displays. Going along with this trend, the next section is therefore dedicated solely to LCD displays.

LCD Size and Price

It is true that LCD monitors used to be more expensive than CRTs. The primary reason for this was because of complexity and quality control. TFT LCD monitors are rather complicated, incorporating million of transistors in the screen in order to control current to each individual pixel. This is very different than a CRT monitor, where each pixel is just a phosphor dot that is ignited using an electron gun. And, with the increased complexity of the LCD comes a higher emphasis on quality control. Producing glass sheets containing millions of transistors for an LCD screen is an involced process, and all of the transistors need to work. A bad transistor means that the corresponding LCD pixel will not work. Each transistor panel that is manufactured has to be tested for this. If the panel contains too many bad transistors, the unit is discarded. Out of any batch of LCD’s, some are discarded for this problem, while others are fine and move on to become full LCD monitors. But, the cost of the monitors also has to absorb the cost of this increased quality control. These factor led to LCD screens being more expensive.

Advancements in the LCD manufacturing process lead to cost cutting measures that can be taken. Hence, the prices of LCD’s are are continuing to come down. Whereas the smaller 15″ LCD’s used to be more expensive than a 17″ or 19″ CRT, prices have now come down to the point where a 19″ LCD can be had for under $200, which is quite affordable to the average computer user.. Because of this the, majority of computer builders purchase an LCD with their new build nowadays as opposed to an older CRT monitor (although some hard-core gamers might beg to differ here). Larger sizes of LCD’s exit, but currently the prices rise considerably for LCD’s greater than 21″. The largest LCD’s are quite expensive, often costing several thousand dollars. It turns out that at the time of this writing a 19″ LCD can be had for around $180, a 20″-21″ LCD between $200-300, and 24″ and greater LCD can cost to close to $400 and beyond.

Bundled Monitors

Often, if you buy a pre-built PC, you will receive a LCD/CRT monitor with it. Some assume that the manufacturer knows something they don’t and that the monitor is the perfect match for that particular computer and video card. This is not necessarily true. While this monitor will provide a basic set of features and adequate performance, the manufacturer has value in mind instead of quality and performance.

Many PC’s these days come bundled with a 17″ LCD monitor. Some come bundled with 19″ or larger LCD monitors, as well. Some vendors do not offer a bundled monitor at all, but instead offer it as an upgrade for an additional fee. Of course, the cheapest will be the smallest and most basic. It is worth it, though, to check out the upgraded, more expensive monitor. In some cases, you can get a great deal on a nice size monitor through a vendor when you are purchasing a PC.

Lastly, many vendors offer bundled CRT/LCD monitors that come with the vendor’s own label on it (e.g. Dell). Some may wonder if this monitor is as good as a name brand LCD/CRT monitor. This is not a problem, though. Chances are that these monitors are being assembled in the same place by the same people. The vendor is simply purchasing the monitor wholesale and slapping their own label on it. Some vendors simply have the manufacturer modify the monitors a tad to bring them to a certain standard. Nevertheless, the vendor is probably not making their own monitor.

Lastly, it is good to have an understanding of the term “flat screen”. Some vendors offer “flat screen displays” are seemingly very affordable prices with their computers. Many consumers automatically assume this means you are getting an LCD. But, this is not always the case. CRT monitors are also available in flat screen versions. These monitors operate using standard CRT technology, but use a flat screen rather than the normally concave screen seen on older CRTs. One needs to be sure they know which type of screen is being advertised. Do not be fooled.

Like what you read?

If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below: