Flat Panel Displays

Explore the wide world of flat panel displays
By Judy Artunian, Freelance Writer

If you haven’t replaced your cathode ray tube (CRT) computer monitor with a flat panel display, it might be time to make the switch. Prices for flat panel displays (also called liquid crystal displays, or LCDs) are dropping. They can improve your productivity by giving you more screen space and displaying sharper text and graphics than CRT screens. You’ll find desktop models from ViewSonic, NEC and other flat panel LCD display makers that range in size from 15 inches to more than 24 inches. Thanks to their slim profile, many widescreen flat panels use less desk space than a CRT.

Flat panel display shopping tips:

1. The picture should be crystal clear when the LCD flat panel display is set at its native resolution.
2. Pick a wider-screen LCD flat panel display if you’re involved in multimedia production.
3. If your work requires you to view the flat panel display from an angle or share the monitor while working with other people, test the picture quality before you choose a monitor.

Versatile flat panel displays

If you use your computer for general business applications such as word processing, e-mail and perusing the Web, a 20-inch flat panel display will provide plenty of viewing area. But if you work with spreadsheets or need to view several open windows simultaneously, you’ll work more productively with a larger screen. If you have an older computer, you’ll want a monitor that includes analog as well as digital inputs.
Try: 

The 20-inch ViewSonic VX2025wm LCD flat panel display offers excellent resolution as well as a response rate (the rate at which a pixel can change colors) that would impress video-game enthusiasts. The slightly pricier Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP is a 24-incher that gives you more room to view lengthy documents or multiple documents at once. It also has four USB ports positioned along the side and bottom of the monitor—a convenient feature that saves you from having to plug digital cameras or other devices into PC USB ports that may be hard to reach. You’ll find more vendors of high-performance flat panel displays at Business.com.

Flat panel displays for multimedia mavens

Designers, video editors, animators and photographers need a larger LCD flat panel display that delivers the best resolutions and response times. Many of these monitors include speakers, but if you have a discerning ear you’ll probably prefer to use separate speakers.
Try: 

With its 5 millisecond response time and high contrast ratio, ViewSonic's 22-inch VX2235wm is a popular choice for working with video content. The SyncMaster 244T from Samsung scores high with reviewers for its superior display of text and colors, as does Apple Computer’s Cinema Display line, which includes a monster 30-inch flat panel display. It works with Macs as well as Windows PCs. Check out Business.com for sellers of multimedia-friendly flat panel displays.

Commercial and industrial flat panel displays

There are flat panel displays for nearly every environment, from rugged, battle-field ready models to user-friendly touch-screen monitors for retail settings.
Try: 

VarTech Systems sells a broad range of flat panel displays for industrial applications, including a line of sunlight-readable monitors. CCS-Industrial offers a line of 12-inch to 23-inch flat panel displays that can withstand harsh environments. If you’re looking for flat panels with touch-screen capabilities, VarTech’s touch-screen flat panels can be used on kiosks and other display systems. Business.com lists sources for more workhouse flat panel displays.

• A digital flat panel display beats analog when it comes to delivering a sharp picture. If your PC has an analog video card, it will still work with a digital flat panel display, but you won’t enjoy that super-crisp picture.
• Before you purchase an LCD flat panel display from a Web site, try out the models you’re considering at a local store. If you do order a monitor from the Web, make sure the seller has an unconditional return policy and no restocking fee.
• When you’re ready to get rid of your old computer monitor, it’s better for the environment to take it to a recycling center that accepts monitors than to leave it for your trash collector.