Fisheye

My current monitor, a 6 year old 17" CRT, is slowly dying, and I am in the market for a new one. The prices of LCD screens have come down to an affordable range, and I was wondering about the relative merits of them and if it's worth the extra couple hundred $$$.

Mostly I use my computer for surfing the internet and playing computer games. (also writing papers for college)

I understand LCDs have a native resolution at which they look best, but how do the lower resolutions look nowadays? I usually play games at a lower resolution than the desktop.

Also, I heard that LCDs may not cope as well with fast-moving images?

For those of you with LCD monitors, what made you decide to get one of them over a CRT? and vis-versa?

Finally, does anyone have any brand or model recommendations? (Flat panel or tube). Inexpensive is good . I don't want to get anything less than 17".

ju'iblex

keep in mind, a 17" Flat looks a lot larger than a 17" CRT. I personally have in front of me a 17" flat NEC, which is pretty damn good, and happens to look far larger than my 17". I have been informed this is for a reason. In theory, they measure diagonally edge to edge the entire surface of the CRT, the visibility space is actually smaller than this, and when you put the casing on, this makes it smaller again. Meanwhile, Flat screens don't have the dead-space issue.

One other thing i will advise if you're getting a flat screen is make sure you've got your ergonomics working right. I find that i am looking up at the flat panel one but not the CRT when on the same desk, which is a real bugger because i can't swivel the monitor on its base.

We have a Flat panel simply for space issues really, apart from that i haven't noticed much other difference. I'm sure hardcore gamers might tell you something different though.

Kinross

It will look distorted and more blocky. A 17" LCD will probably be at 1280x1024 and most modern video cards will be able to play games at that resolution.

True but the better LCDs don't have that much of a problem. You want to look at the refresh rate. The better models have a refresh rate of 16ms or lower which eliminates the ghosting.


Two very good models are:
Samsung 171N ~ $500
NEC LCD1760V ~ $450

Yggdrasill

I have a 19" CRT, but when I measured the visible area, it was actually 17.46". The difference between a CRT and a LCD should have improved over the last few years, but there is still a difference. (The difference should be around 1" for a 17" CRT and a 15" LCD) You might want to measure your screen, just to get an idea of the size you would want to buy. If you want a LCD but don't want to pay so much, a 15" LCD might be enough. Why do you want a LCD? Is it because of the hype, or is it because you actually need one? (If you move your computer a lot, it is a good thing to not have to carry a 50 pound monstrosity, and there is always the space-issues.)

If I were you (and I didn't need a 17" LCD), I would buy a 19" CRT. This is probably the one I am going to buy in a couple of months: monitor (Norwegian site, so don't freak out over the price )

Evangelion

Whatever you choose to get, one thing is clear: you need a big one. All other aspects are totally insignificant when compared to the question of size.

Here's how to check if you have the right sized monitor:

• If you have trouble getting it into your car, that's a good sign.
  
• If you can't get it into your house (even through the window) you're definitely on the right track.
  
• If you nicked it from your local football stadium or IMAX theatre, you're right on the money.

vixstile

I think the only thing that LCD really has over CRT is that they look cooler. But for the price of a 18" LCD you can buy a 22" CRT.

Pyrrho

I recently switched to an LCD display. Mine is a cheap one, because I did not want to spend a fortune. I will list advantages of each that I have noticed with my new LCD monitor and my old CRT:

Advantages for CRT:

1. Cheaper.
2. Text slightly clearer.
3. More uniform brightness.

Advantages for LCD:

1. Weighs less.
2. Takes up less space.
3. Pictures look better, with 'richer' colors.
4. Uses less power.
5. Can stare at it all day long without getting a headache (this is important if you stare at your screen hour after hour).


So, would I do it again, given that the LCD costs over twice what a comparable CRT costs? Absolutely. For me, reason 5 makes it well worth the money. At first, I was displeased with my LCD's shortcomings, but I have found that I have gotten used to them, and they do not bother me anymore.

The Other Michael

Once you try dual monitors you'll never go back to a single one.

I've got two Nanao 17" CRTs on a Matrox dual-head card, and look forward to the day that I can justify going to dual 19" LCDs (to free up the space on top of the desk).

cheers,
Michael

Yggdrasill

How does having two monitors work? And why is it better than a single monitor? Is there a website or something where I can read about it?

Loki

I've got a flat screen, and the comps I use at work have lcds too. I find them convenient; I got the flat for my pc because I needed more desk space in my dorm room. I'm in an apartment now, but it's still really nice, cause I don't have to worry about pulling my desk out from the wall to allow for room for the crt, and I can actually put my keyboard in front of my monitor rather than sitting angle-wise. I don't game a lot; pretty much just the Sims, which runs fine on either monitor.