NWA-PCUG Newsletter Article
Monitoring the view
by Bob Schwabach, Syndicated Columnist
http://www.oncomp.com
Reprinted from Ark Democrat/Gazette with permission, July 2001
bobschwab@oncomp.com (click to email author)


We just switched to using flat panel displays, instead of the older CRT (cathode ray tube) displays that work much like a TV. We bought two 17- inch Samsung SyncMaster 770 monitors for around $1,100 apiece; they offered the best size for the price.

There has been a lot of hype about flat panels, and how wonderful they are and how everyone will use them someday. That may be, but so far I am less than impressed.

There are two reasons for switching from CRTs to flat panels. The first is health. Conventional monitors, and TVs, emit alpha and some microwave radiation. The degree to which this is a health hazard is debatable, but even if the risk is slight, flat panel displays emit almost no radiation and you don't have to worry about it. The second reason is space: flat panel displays are much thinner and lighter than CRTs.

Despite good color and pretty good definition the display on a flat panel does not look as sharp as my old Sony CRT monitor. Color me mildly disappointed so far.

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