Monitors are one of the most important components of your computer system. If you have any doubts ask yourself what other thing in this world do you stare at more. Unless you say your spouse's eyes, the answer is probably nothing.

A good monitor can help you work more productively by improving visual access to your work and perhaps more importantly, by improving visual and even physical comfort. It's also a very good investment. Unlike most other computer components, the monitor will likely last a number of years without becoming obsolete. Thus, it's usually worth spending a few extra dollars to get a quality monitor.

What to Look For

Ergonomic Considerations
Before purchasing a new monitor you should make sure that your current setup is ergonomically healthy. It is often said, "the eyes lead the body" and as we continue to stare at our monitors for much of the day, it is important to think about the impact this has on our bodies. When viewing a poorly positioned monitor the necessity to see clearly will force your body to adjust, which creates significant strain and often results in headaches, back pain and eye problems. Ideally, the screen of your monitor will be just below eye level and directly in front of you, about 20-24 inches away. It is also recommended to limit glare and to keep your screen free of dust. Additional computer related health information can be found here.

Technology
Monitors come intwo general flavors, CRT and LCD. The CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) is the conventional tv-style monitor and has been available for years. It shoots electrons at a special screen, which responds with the orderly light that forms the images we see. An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor uses a completely different technology involving electrical current through a liquid crystal solution. Notebook computers were the first to adopt LCD displays, and now because they are smaller, lighter and more energy-efficient than traditional CRT displays. For a detailed comparison see http://www.bigbruin.com/techtip.php?file=005.

Environmental considerations
LCD monitors do more than save desk space -- they save electricity, which is an important consideration for folks dedicated to protecting the environment. As typical with many eco-friendly products, the initial costis slightly higher, but the total cost of ownership is less expensive. LCD monitors are no exception. LCD monitors are more energy-efficient than CRTs, and do not emit radiation. LCD monitors contain less toxic lead than CRT displays, and the EPA has estimated that their overall environmental impact is less than CRTs. More information about the benefits of LCD monitors can be found at:

Life-Cycle Assessment of Desktop Computer Displays
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/dfe/pubs/comp-dic/lca-sum

Benefits of LCD Computer Displays
http://web.archive.org/web/20021113120519/ http://
yosemite.epa.gov/estar/consumers.nsf/content/LCDorCRT.htm

Size
Screen size is probably the most important feature to consider when buying a new monitor. While a quality 15" monitor will suffice for many users, a larger viewing window means less scrolling and less squinting. A 17" monitor tends to make the standard office user quite happy, and with good 17" monitors around $400, they have become the standard for most new systems. Graphics and design work represent high-end needs and such users will receive greater benefit from the larger workspace provided by a 19" or 21" monitor.

Resolution
Directly related to the size of the monitor is resolution. Resolution is a measurement of the size of the picture displayed on the screen, measured in number of dots or pixels. A big monitor is not only capable of a higher resolution, but displays lower resolutions in a bigger, more clear picture. For example, a 15" monitor might be capable of a 1024x768 resolution, but any given image will take up much more of the screen (and be less comfortable to look at) than if it were displayed on a 17" monitor at the same resolution.

Refresh Rate
Directly related to resolution is refresh rate, which is essentially the rate at which images on the screen are recreated. Increasing the resolution or size of the image makes it harder to recreate that image. Thus it is recreated slower, causing the screen to flicker or tremble. So, in order to display a high resolution you need an appropriately high refresh rate. Generally, your monitor should display your target resolution at a refresh rate of at least 75MHz. Anything lower will appear to flicker and cause perceptible eye strain.

Dot Pitch
Dot pitch is the distance between dots of the same type, measured in millimeters. The smaller the dot pitch the closer the dots are together, thus the finer the detail. Any new monitor purchased should have a dot pitch of .27 or lower.

It is also important to consider features like screen treatments to reduce glare, warranties and how easy it is to make adjustments to the picture.

Video/Graphics Card
Having a great monitor on your desk is almost worthless if the picture it's being sent is poor. The images that the monitor displays come from the video card. So, it is important to make sure that your video card will support the features of your new monitor. Generally speaking, you'll be fine with the one that came with you computer. However, if you're planning to buy a new monitor for a five year old machine, you may be disappointed. If this is the case, a good video card can be purchased for about $70. An ideal video card will have a DVI (Digital Video Interface) connector, which offers higher image quality when paired with an LCD monitor.

Summary and Recommendations

Your purchase will probably boil down to a tradeoff between screen size and money. How big a monitor can you buy within your budget? That's not to say however, that bigger is always better. A 30" LCD display looks great, but will burn a huge hole in your wallet.

For a typical small office user, a 17" LCD monitor offers an ideal combination of image quality, usable screen real estate, small size, environmental friendliness and moderate cost.  19" LCD monitors are now also pretty affordable, and offer a significant boost in usable screen real estate.

17" LCD monitor reviews:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4323-6529_7-6509062.html

19" LCD monitor reviews:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4323-6529_7-6509063.html?tag=subnav