Monitors: In The Beginning
It wasn’t too long ago that computers had a monitor built into the computing unit itself.
Then came along the cathode ray tube, or the CRT monitor, which separated the computer from the viewing screen. CRT monitors were big and very heavy, but you could set them away from the computing unit which gave you versatility.
A new view on things
In the mid 1990’s, the Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD) was introduced. LCD monitors were smaller than their CRT relatives, lighter, and offered higher resolutions and refresh rates. Once the LCD had been on the market for a while, manufacturers realized their potential and began to improve on the design.
Soon after, the HDR (High Dynamic Range) LCD offered even higher resolutions, colors, and brightness. At a higher price point, of course. Watching a movie was like you were on set. Instead of a 4:3 aspect ratio which closely resembled a square you could view your computers and movies in 16:9 aspect ratio which was longer than it was tall. At the time, it was like having your own movie theater in your house. But that was only the beginning.
Talk About An Upgrade…
Fast-forward to today and we have Organic Light-Emitting Diode, or OLED, monitors. These can produce an even higher resolution, contrast ratio, and better viewing angles than the monitors that came before it.
If the high resolution wasn’t enough candy for your eyes, the sizes of the monitors and televisions also increased. Some of the televisions are 80 to 100 inches in size. Larger monitors are becoming more mainstream as well, with 19 to 22 inches becoming normal.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “All of this sounds good, but they have to cost an arm and a leg.” Compared to the prices of monitors and televisions of the past, they are comparably priced and more energy efficient, saving you money on your monthly electric bill. So if you are holding off on upgrading that 17 inch CRT or LCD monitor, you might want to reconsider your options.
(Image Source: iCLIPART)
