Computer Monitors

Cheapest LCD, Flat Monitors, Offers, Price Comparison

Welcome to the Computer Monitors website. You can find the best deals on monitors in the UK, here. This site lets you compare prices, find the best sellers and even shop for one that you find ideal. We regularly update the site with special offers which can help you get some really cheap monitors as well. You can read computer monitors reviews of models from manufacturers like Asus, Acer, Dell, Hitachi, HP, IBM, LG, Sony, Samsung, ViewSonic and many others too.

Evolution of the Computer Monitor

The computer monitor has evolved technologically quite a lot over the years. From monochrome CRT monitors we now have developed fabric thin and even transparent ones. The evolution of the computer monitor only reflects the advancement of science and technology and the immense research that goes in over long periods to develop a certain product, application or technology.

Television Technology

The first forerunner to the present monitor was the television of course. The CRT monitor has come practically to an end. Televisions too have changed into LCD type screens. LCD technology is also fast advancing and better picture resolution and refresh speeds have helped expand its applications of monitors greatly. In any type of service, industry or trade the computer and monitor can be found to play a role.

Computer Technology

The computer has also shrunk to very minuscule sizes. Thus we see the integration of the monitor and the CPU into one. A good example can be the Eee Monitor from Asus, it’s an all-in-one computer. Combining with wireless connectivity the screen which is merely a tablet can be very portable. It can work as a communication device as well given the proper hardware and telecommunication network. A user can access the Internet, through which applications or interfaces can be used, to access various other networks. That is the amazing power of electronics and software and the concept of integration. The concept of Visual Display is also making a sea change as we see the concept of 3D being innovated into the display. The only problem is that media production technology and content has also to adapt effectively to support this concept. So various standardization and platforms have to be evolved in a global context with easy transferability and compatibility from one to another platform when required.

Integration

Research has seen monitors being made like fabric which can be folded or rolled. But every technological innovation has a gestation time to be evolved into a product and adapted to manufacturing as viable cost effective product which can be marketed to meet various requirements of mankind.

Buying Guide

Computer Monitors come in various sizes, with different resolutions, brightness, contrast ratio, viewing angles and connectors. What do all these terminologies mean? Here is a list of features of a computer monitor with brief descriptions:-

Screen Size – The screen size of a monitor is specified by its diagonal measure. There are screens ranging from 15" to 47". Light users, who use computers only for browsing and emailing, could go in for small sized screens. Ardent gamers and entertainment enthusiasts can opt for a larger computer screen.

Resolution – This indicates the number of pixels on the display. It is specified by the number of pixels along a row and the number of pixels along a column. The more the resolution, the better the clarity.

Pixel – A pixel is the smallest or most basic programmable display unit. Each pixel can display one particular colour at one time.

Dot Pitch – The dot in a computer screen can be considered as the smallest physical display unit. The distance between 2 adjacent dots is called the dot pitch. The smaller the dot pitch, the better the sharpness of the image being displayed. Dot is different from pixel in that, dot is a physical unit and pixel is programmable. The resolution of a screen can be altered in the display settings. When the resolution is set to maximum, the number of dots and pixels are equal. When reduced, the dots remain the same, only the pixels reduce. In other words, multiple dots form one pixel.

Contrast ratio – This is the ratio of the amount of light given out by the brightest colour to the amount of light taken in by the darkest colour on the screen. Or it is the ratio of the luminance of brightest white to the darkest black colour on the monitor. The higher this ratio, the more the brightness levels offered by the screen, the better the picture quality.

Monitor Technology – Most often LCD TFT monitors are employed. However, some manufacturers are now employing OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays. An OLED monitor offers better brightness, more vivid pictures, larger viewing angles and better readability in sunlight, than an LCD monitor.

Viewing Angles – This is the angle from side to side of the screen within which the picture can be viewed clearly. An LCD monitor usually appears dark when viewed from the sides.

Response Time – This is the time taken by an LCD pixel to turn from active to inactive and then back to active state again. These days however, the response time is used to refer to the time taken for a pixel to change colour. The lower the response time, the lesser the blurring of images. Response times less than 16ms were considered optimum initially. These days, computer screens offer 2ms to 5ms response times.

Image Brightness – The image brightness refers to the maximum brightness the screen can support.

Connectors – Computer monitors have ports for interfacing with other devices. Some of the ports hosted by a computer monitor are USB, VGA, HDMI, headphone jacks, DVI etc.