A computer monitor, also called a display, is a device used in displaying text, pictures, videos, or any output of a computer’s CPU, gaming console, hard drives, and other devices. There are different types for your needs, which means each type of monitor has a slightly different function. This post discusses your current options in the market:
Main Types of Monitors
Technologies behind how monitors display images on the screen have progressed in recent years. There are 5 types used in televisions and computer displays. They include:
- CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) – What used to be the standard for computers decades ago, CRT monitors are bulkier, heavier and consume more energy than newer monitor types. CRTs are no longer the first choice for residential and office use, but they’re still used in laboratories and other similar uses.
- LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) – LCDs were first used in laptops, but later replaced CRTs for desktop PCs as the most-used monitor type in the world. This is because they are designed with a space-saving body, uses less electricity, and don’t heat up as much as old CRTs.
LCDs are available in 17-inch to 60-inch models, but since they are light in weight and size, they can be positioned to the wall, on top of a monitor riser, Best Gaming Monitors and other positioning that CRTs couldn’t accommodate.
- LED (Liquid Emitting Diode) – LEDs are another modern type of monitor. Compared to LCDs, LED monitors are brighter in colors, provide higher contrast, deliver flicker-free imaging, and use less power (which is a win-win for gamers and other computer users who spend a lot of time on the computer). While LEDs are a little higher in price compared to LCDs, the energy consumption is definitely lower.
- OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) – It is similar to LED, except OLED monitors are made of organic material such as wood, plastic, carbon, or polymers that are responsible for converting electric current into light. You can find OLEDs in game consoles, TVs, computer displays, PDAs, and even in smartphones.
OLEDs have a high contrast ratio, wide viewing angles, fast response (so no lag or ghosting), high picture quality and delivers impressive brightness and contrast. The only problem with OLED is that its life expectancy is shorter than LCD and LEDs.
- Plasma Monitors – Made using Plasma technology, plasma/PDP monitors are designed with a slim, flat back (compared to the slightly-curved back of LCDs and LEDs). This design leads to less glare and image distortion.
The problem with plasma monitors is that they are heavier, consume more energy and have limited screen sizes available than LCDs. However, plasma monitors have excellent response times, a better viewing angle, TV vs. Monitor and overall have the best image production.
Uses of Monitors
So what do we use monitors for? Here are just some of the common applications:
- Entertainment – Monitors can be used for your TV marathons, movie streaming and other entertainment use. Because modern monitors can result to a better viewing experience, CRTs are already out and newer types of monitors (LED, LCD, panels) would be the better choice for your entertainment needs.
- Gaming – It doesn’t matter if you’re just an avid gamer or someone who professionally competes at egames. If you want to enjoy your game, you’ll need a monitor with high refresh rates and good color accuracy to avoid issues like blurring, ghosting and lagging.
- Presentations on the field – Portable monitors are bigger than tablets, but usually smaller than desktop-sized monitors. They are perfect for use on the field, or at any situation where the need for a monitor arises. Portable monitors can be attached to any power source, making it possible to do anything you would do with a regular monitor, but at any location you are currently in.
- Creative professionals – For work that requires crisp images, such as graphic designers, architects and photographers, a monitor with high resolution, good color saturation, perfect brightness and contrast, overall excellent image reproduction should let you perform your work effortlessly.
- Regular office work – It doesn’t matter if you’re a clerk handling office schedules or a big-time music producer working on the next biggest pop song. Anyone who uses a computer for work should pick a monitor that would be easy on the eyes (no eye strain) and better for work efficiency (no lags, no color distortion, and so on).
Other people use two or more monitors to multi-task while working. For example, traders who need data to be on-screen 24/7 would use one monitor for this and another for research, sending emails, and completing other tasks. Programmers and writers often have multi-monitor setup with one monitor positioned vertically because this is perfect for text-heavy tasks like coding and writing content.
Understanding the type of monitors available is essential to picking the right one for your needs. Make sure to consider what you’re going to use the monitor for when shopping around for a new monitor.