At Abt we understand that technology changes fast and computer technology changes even faster. Computer monitors can be an exception to technology change because a good monitor can last for years and years.

When deciding on the perfect monitor, you should determine the connection type and the size that will best suit your needs.

LCD (Flat-Panel Display) Monitors
These are the most stylish computer monitors available today. The major selling point of flat-panel displays is their size. Traditional CRT monitors were a foot deep or more, so they took up a lot of space on a desktop. Flat-panel displays are only a few inches deep, making them great for normal desktops and even better for cramped quarters like a cubicle.

Another nice aspect of a flat-panel display is its digital nature. When you use this display in an all-digital environment, you can get terrific accuracy in imaging. For example, if you send a digital signal for a certain shade of green, your monitor will always produce that precise shade of green on the LCD display. CRTs, on the other hand, are less accurate.

Monitor Size
The size of a computer monitor is very important when making a final decision. Everyone has their own personal use for their computer, which will determine what size monitor they will need. At Abt, our computer monitors range from 19 to 30 inches.

On the other hand, many laptops and some desktops now come equipped with an HDMI output. This gives you the option of using any HDMI equipped HDTV as your monitor, providing greater flexibility with monitor size. Keep in mind, though, that televisions currently are limited to a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080.

Below you will find a glossary of terms that will help you on your search for your new computer monitor. If you find some of your questions unanswered, you can always call our knowledgeable sales staff at 888-228-5800.

Brands
At Abt, we carry LG and Apple monitors.

Connection types
- VGA (Video Graphics Array): Older analog monitor connection commonly found on monitors but image quality not as good as DVI.
- DVI (Digital Visual Interface): Newer digital monitor connection commonly found on monitors with much higher image quality. DVI can be found in many variations:
DVI-I (integrated, digital & analog) - Common
DVI-D (digital only) - Uncommon
DVI-A (analog only) - Uncommon
Single Link = for lower resolution monitors 22" or less - Common
Dual Link = for higher resolution monitors 24" or higher - Uncommon

- DISPLAY PORT: Digital display interface standard that defines a new license-free, royalty-free, digital audio/video interconnect, intended to be used primarily between a computer and its display monitor, or a computer and a home-theater system. This connection is not commonly found yet.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface): Digital connection that can also carry audio to a monitor or TV with speakers.

LCD
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is an electro-optical amplitude modulator realized as a thin, flat display device made up of any number of color or monochrome pixels arrayed in front of a light source or reflector.
Onscreen display (OSD)
The OSD is a menu that comes up on the display and lets you choose the types of adjustments you wish to make. The onscreen display's best quality is that it provides feedback when you make adjustments.

Refresh rate
The refresh rate, measured in hertz, is the number of times per second the screen is entirely redrawn. Low refresh rates can make the screen seem to flicker, causing eye fatigue, and possibly headaches.

Response Time
Response time is the amount of time a pixel in an LCD monitor takes to go from black to white and back to black again. It is measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower numbers mean faster transitions and therefore fewer visible image artifacts. Long response times can be annoying to a viewer depending on the type of data being displayed and how rapidly the image is changing or moving. Many current LCD monitor models have improved to the point that this is rarely seen.
A figure of 8 to 16 ms for rise + fall times is typical. The response time was traditionally recorded at the full black to white. However, response times are now commonly quoted in "G2G" (alternately "GTG," meaning: "grey-to-grey") figures and specs of 6ms, 4ms and 2ms G2G are widely available.

Resolution
A monitor's resolution is the number of pixels displayed in a horizontal row times the number of pixels displayed in a vertical column. A resolution setting of 1,024 x 768 indicates that 786,432 pixels are available to create an image. More pixels allow for finer detail, making higher resolutions inherently better than low resolutions. High resolutions also provide you with a larger usable display area.

Viewing size
Screen sizes are measured across the diagonal. A larger viewing size increases the amount of information you can view on the screen at once. Larger screens such as 24" can often accommodate two full size application windows at once.

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