Just a decade or so ago, LCD monitors were almost unheard of by the vast majority of PC users. High costs and poor performance inhibited early models, leaving CRT based monitors to dominate the market. However, technology has improved dramatically, and now LCD monitors are commonly shipped with new PC�s. Not only do they offer much crisper displays and smaller footprints, but also the cost has reduced to a degree that they are only moderately more expensive than their bulkier CRT counterparts.

LCD monitors aren�t without their drawbacks, though, and there are a few things you should bear in mind when looking to purchase one. The first thing you want to consider is the size of monitor you are looking for. A 15??? LCD will be on par with a 17??? CRT in many respects, so you may not need as large a monitor as you think.

The next thing to consider is the response time. Response time indicates the time taken for a pixel to change from black, to white and back to black again, and is essentially a measure of the time taken for an image to change. Early monitors had high response times, leading to �ghosting� or �smearing� of images, as the display couldn�t update the display fast enough. This was a problem, particularly for gamers, and was another reason LCD monitors weren�t adopted earlier. Typical response times vary from around 8-16ms, though monitors with 2ms response times are appearing, albeit at a significantly higher price.

Another problem with LCD�s is that image quality can degrade on resolutions other than the monitor�s native resolution. This problem is less noticeable on newer models, though is still apparent if you look carefully, so it may be wise to select a monitor with an appropriate native resolution for best results.

A fundamental problem with LCD monitors mean that a pixel cannot emit zero light. Instead, a small amount of light is leaked, turning blacks to greys and so forth. The contrast ratio refers to the luminosity of the brightest to the darkest colour that the monitor can produce, and the higher the value, the better. A good monitor may have a contrast ratio of around 800:1, though this value varies greatly between manufacturers and models.

The dot pitch refers to the diagonal distance between like phosphor dots within the display, and is measured in millimetres. In general, the lower the dot pitch, the crisper the image and the better the image. Typical values range from 0.15-0.30mm, though again you can expect to pay more for a crisper image.

Other factors to consider include input, as most graphics cards now offer a digital output offering superior image quality. The viewing angle may also be important depending on how you intend to use your monitor. If you wish to watch films, you may appreciate a wider viewing angle to allow you to watch the screen from a distance. You should also prepare yourself for a few dead pixels, which are those that remain the same colour regardless of what they should be. Manufacturers have tolerances for these, so whilst you shouldn�t have many, one or two are not uncommon.

A final note is, as with anything, you get what you pay for. Whilst budget end monitors are adequate for day-to-day use, there is a huge difference in quality between low and high-end monitors. Shop around before purchasing and look for the best specification you can afford.

Just a decade or so ago, LCD monitors were almost unheard of by the vast majority of PC users. High costs and poor performance inhibited early models, leaving CRT based monitors to dominate the market. However, technology has improved dramatically, and now LCD monitors are commonly shipped with new PC�s. Not only do they offer much crisper displays and smaller footprints, but also the cost has reduced to a degree that they are only moderately more expensive than their bulkier CRT counterparts.

LCD monitors aren�t without their drawbacks, though, and there are a few things you should bear in mind when looking to purchase one. The first thing you want to consider is the size of monitor you are looking for. A 15??? LCD will be on par with a 17??? CRT in many respects, so you may not need as large a monitor as you think.

The next thing to consider is the response time. Response time indicates the time taken for a pixel to change from black, to white and back to black again, and is essentially a measure of the time taken for an image to change. Early monitors had high response times, leading to �ghosting� or �smearing� of images, as the display couldn�t update the display fast enough. This was a problem, particularly for gamers, and was another reason LCD monitors weren�t adopted earlier. Typical response times vary from around 8-16ms, though monitors with 2ms response times are appearing, albeit at a significantly higher price.

Another problem with LCD�s is that image quality can degrade on resolutions other than the monitor�s native resolution. This problem is less noticeable on newer models, though is still apparent if you look carefully, so it may be wise to select a monitor with an appropriate native resolution for best results.

A fundamental problem with LCD monitors mean that a pixel cannot emit zero light. Instead, a small amount of light is leaked, turning blacks to greys and so forth. The contrast ratio refers to the luminosity of the brightest to the darkest colour that the monitor can produce, and the higher the value, the better. A good monitor may have a contrast ratio of around 800:1, though this value varies greatly between manufacturers and models.

The dot pitch refers to the diagonal distance between like phosphor dots within the display, and is measured in millimetres. In general, the lower the dot pitch, the crisper the image and the better the image. Typical values range from 0.15-0.30mm, though again you can expect to pay more for a crisper image.

Other factors to consider include input, as most graphics cards now offer a digital output offering superior image quality. The viewing angle may also be important depending on how you intend to use your monitor. If you wish to watch films, you may appreciate a wider viewing angle to allow you to watch the screen from a distance. You should also prepare yourself for a few dead pixels, which are those that remain the same colour regardless of what they should be. Manufacturers have tolerances for these, so whilst you shouldn�t have many, one or two are not uncommon.

A final note is, as with anything, you get what you pay for. Whilst budget end monitors are adequate for day-to-day use, there is a huge difference in quality between low and high-end monitors. Shop around before purchasing and look for the best specification you can afford.