Computer Monitors

The most used output device on a computer is the monitor. The display provides instant feedback by showing text and graphic images. Most desktop computers use cathode ray tube displays. Portable computers use liquid crystal display (LCD). LCD monitors are now beginning to replace CRT’s. This is due to a slimmer design and a use of less energy (How Stuff Works). IBM introduced the Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) in 1981. It was capable of rendering …

…Light-emitting diode (LED) and gas plasma work by lighting up display screen positions based on the voltages at different grid intersections (PC Tech). LCD’s require far less energy than LED and gas plasma technologies and are currently the primary technology for notebook and other mobile computers (How Stuff Works). As flat-panel displays continue to grow in screen size and improve in resolution and affordability, expect them to gradually replace CRT-based displays (How Stuff Works).