Features

Display quality, the most important monitor feature, isn't a major worry thanks to a generally high standard of performance. But today's monitors have other features that you should consider.

Resolution

A monitor's resolution refers to the number of picture elements, or pixels, that make up an image. More pixels mean finer detail. Most monitors can display at several resolutions, generally from 640x480 to 1920x1200, depending on the monitor and the computer's graphics card. An LCD usually displays its sharpest image when set to its "native" resolution-typically 1024x768 pixels for a 15-inch screen; 1280x1024 (17 inches); 1440x900 (19 inches); 1680x1050 (22 inches); or 1920x1200 (24 inches). Typical resolutions for widescreen monitors are 1280x800 (15 inches) and 1440x900 (17 inches).

The higher the resolution, the smaller the text and images, so more content can fit on the screen. Higher resolution is preferred for working with photos and graphics.

Response time

A flat-panel display's response time indicates how fast the pixels can turn on and off.

Contrast

This is a measure of the difference between the brightest white and the deepest black found on the screen, and is expressed as a ratio. Higher contrast results in images that are more vivid and punchy. But because a monitor's contrast can vary across the screen, the number isn't always a reliable measure. Monitors have brightness controls, so you can adjust to your liking.

Brightness

A bright screen is important if you're working in a brightly lit room. The spec is expressed as candelas per square meter, or cd/m2. But all you need to know is the higher this number, the better. You can also control an LCD's brightness with knobs or onscreen controls. Most monitors also have controls for color balance (usually called color temperature), adjusting the screen geometry, and similar functions.

Connectors

Virtually all new monitors have the DVI ports needed to take advantage of higher-end video cards for a sharper image, but not all include the necessary cable (about $10). And many include HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) ports, also found on some newer computers and electronics equipment such as DVD players. One of the advantages of the HDMI interface is it allows for video and audio to be sent over the same cable (useful only if the monitor has built in speakers). If you choose a monitor without one, you can buy an adapter for $25 or less that turns a DVI port into an HDMI connector, but you won't get audio.

Another port you may find is for high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP). This prevents the copying of video and audio content, and without it you may not be able to view copy-protected material.

Extras

Some monitors include a microphone, one or more USB ports, integrated or separate speakers, and HDMI inputs for viewing the output of a DVD player or camcorder. You may also see LCD displays with memory-card readers, so you can display photos onscreen, and iPod docks for viewing images or playing music through the monitor. Plug-and-play capability makes it simple to add a new monitor to an existing computer. A built-in TV tuner is another feature to look for if you want your monitor to double as a TV.

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