Monitors for the Office

There are several first-rate monitor vendors. But the selection process has changed over the past few years. Today, the first task is to choose the desired monitor type - CRT, LCD or plasma.

Until recently, all but those with a lot of spare cash were limited to CRT monitors. This type has a tube similar to TVs that are also now going out of style. They are still available and if your overriding goal is to get a monitor for the absolute lowest price, this is the way to go. But keep in mind the obvious: they are heavier and take up more desk space. What is not so obvious is that they no longer tend to be the highest picture quality available.

CRTs stayed around for a while because LCD and plasma monitors were much more expensive and often lower quality. Prices have changed dramatically over the past three years and the quality of a flat panel is now unmatched by all but esoteric CRTs.

Flat panel monitors divide into two types, just as they do for TVs: LCD or plasma. Just as with the TV technology that they closely resemble (in fact, they are sometimes interchangeable), each has its pros and cons, depending on the application.

Prices shift among LCD and plasma, but the latter still tend to be a little more expensive for the highest quality monitor. That will change as time goes on, but it's impossible to predict in which direction. For a while, LCDs were rising and plasma prices decreasing.

Fortunately, plasma monitors (and TVs) no longer suffer from burn-in as they did for the first few years of production. They can now safely display the same image for months on end without retaining any permanent image on the screen.

They offer very sharp images with outstanding blacks and well-saturated colors. That's important for those who do a lot of graphics work where the highest possible image quality is critical. They can also display rapidly moving scenes with a little more accuracy than the average LCD monitor. That's not so important for document handling, but for those who create or manipulate a lot of video it can be worth a little extra money.

LCDs are usually a little better in a bright room, which is one reason they tend to be the more popular choice in offices. They, too, can produce ultra-sharp images. Dollar for dollar they typically offer higher resolution than plasma.

Like plasma monitors, LCD monitors have evolved over the past few years. If you haven't looked lately, you'll find that for the same price as those of a few years back the contrast ratio is better. Figures of 1000:1 or better are now common. The higher the better. Also, they rarely have a problem today displaying fast moving video. A good LCD will now play rapid sports video without noticeable blur. Still, some less expensive models (like their TV counterparts) are prone to drop a pixel here and there after a year or two. Exercise caution by looking on forums and at reviews for a particular one you're considering.

Both types will offer the same light weight and slim outline, but each model differs in extras that can be nice to have. That may include such things as tilt angle, the ease with which controls are used and other factors. To some who may have to adjust them often, having good extras can definitely be worth a little extra money. At minimum, you want a monitor that is fast, displays high contrast and saturated colors, and capable of high resolution.