You just want a new computer monitor but after reading a list of unfamiliar specifications (TN, CCFL, ‘response time’, ‘contrast ratio’, etc.), you’re just more confused than informed… but it doesn’t have to be a painful process. Here are some quick tips for finding the LCD monitor right for you.
What to Look For
Are the Colors Accurate? Pull up a digital photo of the family (or something else that’s familiar) to see how different the colors appear.
How legible is the text? Change the font size in your browser and note how legible smaller text is.
What are the monitor’s adjustment options? Most monitors come with a tilt adjustment but you may find it’s worth the extra couple of bucks to spring for a side-to-side swivel, wall mount or height adjustment.
If you plan to do a lot of photo editing, movie watching or gaming, look for:
How narrow is the viewing angle? Do the colors darken and/or shift at different angles? View the monitor from different angles and note when the colors and image quality are affected.
Is your computer’s graphics card up to date? If your computer is a few years old, you may need to upgrade your graphics card. To achieve the best possible image quality, make sure you have a card that supports your interface and the monitor’s resolution.
How low is the Black Level? The Black Level is the amount of light that seeps through the black shown on a display. The lower the Black Level, the better. Just note that all monitors will still show some degree of light so don’t go crazy trying to find one that’s 100% pitch black.
Specs – The Breakdown
TN, VA or IPS: The three main technologies used in today’s LCD monitors. Typically, TNs are cheapest and IPS monitors are the most expensive.
Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) or Light Emitting Diode (LED): Two forms of backlight. CCFL-based backlights are comprised of horizontal fluorescent tubes that stretch across the screen; think your old-school TV set. LED backlight is like a Lite Brite – tiny “bulbs” (LEDs) all over the back of the screen turn on and off individually, offering better color reproduction, brightness and energy efficiency. LEDs also allow a thinner, more compact monitor design.
Brightness: How much light a panel can produce, expressed in cd/m2 or candelas per square meter. A measurement around 200 cd/m2 is sufficient but some recommend at least 300 or higher cd/m2 if you plan on watching a lot of movies or TV.
Contrast Ratio: The contrast between the whitest white and the blackest black; richness of colors. A higher ratio is better, but take vendor specifications with a grain of salt – they’re not always accurate.
Aspect Ratio: The width to height proportion of a monitor – the two most popular being 16:10 and 16:9. The difference comes into play when watching movies in letterbox or full-screen format – the movie may be slightly stretched to fit the screen. 16:9 monitors have a higher resolution and have grown in popularity as monitors become more like HDTVs.
HDTV: Just like your TV – many new monitors feature the same HDTV capabilities, as more and more users head online for their television consumption.
Native Resolution: The monitor’s ‘default’ resolution – images look best when displayed at this resolution.
Pixel Response Rate: How quickly a pixel changes colors, as measured in milliseconds or ‘ms’. The lower the ms, the better.
Viewing Angle: How far you can move to the side, above or below from the center of the monitor’s display before colors and image quality is affected, measured in degrees (up to 180).
Memory Card Reader: Some newer monitors have built-in media card readers for easy viewing of digital photos.
HDMI: This connects a monitor to your HD cable, video game system or Blu-ray player for viewing and audio.
DVI: Like the HDMI, only it does not provide audio.
Now That You Have Your New LCD Monitor… What To Do With Your Old One?
Before you ship your old monitor off to the dump, keep in mind that monitors are chock-full of toxic chemicals like lead and mercury that could potentially leak into the water supply and soil if not properly disposed of. If the monitor is in working condition, try Googling nearby charities or schools that accept used computer equipment. If it’s truly garbage, find a nearby ewaste facility – a list of vendors should be available on your local county’s website.
Still can’t decide? Take a Look at One of Our Top Picks
The Samsung PX2370 23″ Widescreen LCD Monitor, $309 at Amazon.com.
The power of the human brain can be extraordinary: Hamlet, the Theory of Relativity – we flew ourselves to the moon for crying out loud! … so what is up with the $230 watermelon cooler?
geekGLOSS is heading back to the geek mothership! Today through Saturday, I’ll be reporting from 
You know Anna Wintour isn’t toting her MacBook in something utilitarian and neoprene. For the fashionistas of the world who demand that even their computer case exude pure glamour and luxury, there’s the Python Computer Clutch by Violet May.
Enjoy truly hands-free calling (sans the dorky earpiece) with the 
OMG. Sweet Valley High‘s Wakefield twins are back – and don’t pretend to not know what I’m talking about. If you were a girl growing up in the ’80s or early ’90s, you read Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley High. For those craving some nostalgia for a time when life was simpler and less complicated, break out your Lip Smackers and click over to 
San Mateo County officials have 
I’m still on the fence when it comes to touchscreens. I consider fingerprints to be my mortal enemy and call me old-fashioned, but I will always prefer a tactile button. Oh, and have you ever tried sending a text on an iPhone with gloves on? And why should you have to choose between sending coherent texts and rocking a set of fierce Dita von Teese-like talons? You shouldn’t! Understanding our affection for Chanel nail laquer, smudge-free screens and warm, frostbite-free hands, the folks at Ten One Design have developed an ingenious solution: the Pogo Stylus.