FAQs About Monitors

With new technologies, computer monitors have come a long way since the days they were first invented. Now they are thinner, sharper and less expensive to manufacture.

Q: What types of computer monitors exist?

A: In the beginning, computer monitors used Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs), which included a fluorescent screen. CRTs were the dominant technology until LCD monitors replaced them in the 21st century. Most computer monitors sold now are LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors, but you can also choose between plasma or OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays in various shapes, materials and dimensions.

Q: What is the difference between an LCD and a plasma monitor?

A: An LCD screen is a flat, thin electronic visual display that uses liquid crystals. These crystals do not directly emit light. Compared to plasma displays, they are usually available in a wider range of screen sizes. They also do not suffer from burn-in, which is one of the main drawbacks of a plasma computer monitor. Burn-in occurs on plasma displays when the same picture is displayed on the monitor for a long period of time. This causes the phosphors in the monitor to overheat, lose some of their luminosity, and produce a shadow-like effect on the display, even after getting turned off. Aside from the issue of burn-in, a plasma display uses great technology, displays high contrast ratios, and has great color and a low black level. Moreover, plasma displays usually create softer and less pixelized images than LCDs. Both LCD and plasma displays have advantages and disadvantages, so you do not go wrong choosing between them.