DELL UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC 30-inch Widescreen Flat P...
3 Stores $1,199 - $1,348
Computer Monitor Buying Guide
Monitors tend to be the most ignored part of a PC. Hard drives get upgraded every few years, and mice and keyboards are replaced as soon as they show signs of trouble. So why overlook that monitor which is staring you in the face? If your monitor is more than three years old, it’s time for an upgrade, and lower prices coupled with advances in LCD monitors mean there are more affordable choices than ever. Not sure what to buy? Let Pronto’s Computer Monitor Buying Guide show you what to look for.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
LCD or CRT?
Although LCD monitors dominate sales, CRT monitors are still available. CRT monitors are a good choice for digital artists because they can display more colors and have a wider viewing angle. Budget-minded consumers can get larger screens by choosing CRT.
Slim is in
Flat-screen LCD monitors save desktop space and cause less eyestrain than CRT monitors. If you’re not editing graphics, an LCD is a good choice. Widescreen monitors give you more screen area for applications and multimedia.
Resolution and viewing angle
Know the resolution that your graphics card supports so you don’t buy more monitor than you need. If you move around a lot while using your computer, choose a monitor with a wider horizontal viewing angle.
Bigger isn’t always better
Most users, including gamers, will be happy with a 19-inch or 20-inch monitor. Larger LCD screens cost significantly more and are best left to the digital artists who need them.
Avoid the extras
A monitor is a graphical interface for your PC. Fancy sound and TV tuners should be avoided unless you really need an all-in-one solution.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
17-inch Dell UtlraSharp 1707FP
The 17-inch Dell UtlraSharp 1707FP delivers in nearly every category, offering exceptional adjustability, four USB ports, DVI and VGA ports, and the ability to pivot the screen between landscape and portrait modes. With a native resolution of 1280 x 1024 and a refresh rate of 8ms, this monitor is ready for gaming or watching movies.
experts say
CNET—“ The Samsung SyncMaster 970P PC Monitor has a striking design, but it's the fine image quality that makes this display worthy of consideration.” Source: CNET
PC World—“Dell's 30-inch UltraSharp 3007WFP LCD Monitor dwarfs other monitors—even big ones. And at a native resolution of 2560 by 1600 pixels, it can more than handle high-definition content.” Source: PC World Top 100 Products of 2006
CNET—“ Though CRTs are moving toward obsolescence, the NEC MultiSync FE992 Computer Monitor offers good performance and a lot of screen real estate for a low price.” Source: CNET
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Computer Monitors) |
| $ | If you buy a complete PC package, you may get a free monitor included. These tend to be older monitors or slow-performing models. While free is hard to beat, you’re better off purchasing a separate monitor in the $175 to $300 range, which will get you a 17-inch or 19-inch LCD or a larger CRT. For LCD monitors in this range, watch out for slow refresh rates, limited viewing angles, and fewer connectivity options. |
Compare prices at 45 stores $159 - $276 |
| $$ | Most monitors designed for general consumer use lie in the $350-$700 range. This is almost exclusively the domain of LCD monitors, with models up to 24 inches available. Look for faster refresh rates, the ability to handle multiple resolutions, high contrast ratios (which improve sharpness), and wider viewing angles. Forward-looking consumers should choose a monitor with HDMI connections. |
Compare prices at 5 stores $160 - $749 |
| $$$ | If you’ve got more than $1,000 and need the screen space, LCD monitors up to 30 inches are available. These LCD monitors offer superb image quality, and many offer additional connection options for those PC peripherals. These monitors deliver the clarity and flexibility that digital artists demand, but they’re more than most users need. |
Compare prices at 5 stores $1,799 - $1,898 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Aspect Ratio
The overall dimensions of a monitor screen. A standard screen is three units high by four units wide, or 4:3, while a widescreen is nine units high by 16 units wide, or 16:9.
ATSC
A built-in digital tuner that allows a monitor to receive digital and HDTV programming when connected to a broadcast source, such as an antenna, cable, or satellite dish.
CRT
Cathode Ray Tube. CRT monitors are bulkier and heavier than LCD monitors, but they can display more colors than LCD screens and support multiple resolutions.
LCD
Liquid Crystal Display. LCD monitors use tiny pixels to create an image. Lighter and slimmer than CRT monitors, they are limited to 16.7 million colors. Some LCD monitors have trouble displaying fast-moving images, resulting in ghosting or image blur.
Native Resolution
The standard resolution of an LCD monitor, measured in pixels.
Refresh Rate
The speed at which an LCD monitor can change the color of a single pixel, measured in microseconds. The lower the number, the faster the monitor can refresh.
Viewing Angle
The horizontal and vertical extremes at which you can look at an image on an LCD monitor before the picture degrades.
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