What to Look for in LCDs

Display type - At last, a real choice on the desktop: a standard CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitor or a flat-panel LCD (liquid-crystal display). LCD prices have fallen dramatically, while the cost of CRT monitors has declined gradually. You'll still pay a lot more for an LCD--models larger than 15 inches remain luxury items--and the speed, brightness, resolution, and color accuracy can't match those of a CRT. But people with limited space or easily fatigued eyes will …

…lightest to darkest has immediate bearing on LCD image quality. Manufacturers claim LCD contrast ratios ranging from 200-to-1 to 400-to-1, but that ratio is calculated in too many different ways to make any meaningful comparison. Take this specification with a large grain of salt. Warranty and support - Most monitors are backed by a three-year warranty. Anything less is suspect. Also, check the return policy; a 30-day, money-back guarantee with no restocking charge is ideal.