Types of Computer Monitors

Computer monitors are used for displaying information and, in some cases, for interacting with the computer directly. There are a variety of brands and models of computer monitors, but the core set of monitors consists of just a few distinct types. These types of monitors are used in different situations depending on what is needed to adequately interact with the computer system they are attached to.

Cathode Ray Tube Monitors

CRT monitors use magnets and cathode ray emitters to produce pictures on a screen. Because of this, they have to be relatively large and heavy. The technology in a CRT monitor is similar to that of a television, before flat-screen TVs became more common. While CRTs are reliable and inexpensive, they are extremely heavy and take up a lot of space.

Liquid Crystal Monitors

LCD monitors have become the standard in computer monitors for laptops and desktop computers. The advantages of LCD monitors are their lighter weight, the ease with which they can be produced and their long service life. They are also relatively thin, compared with CRT monitors, which makes them perfect for desks that have very little space.

Plasma Monitors

Plasma monitors are not commonly used as computer monitors because of their expense, weight, power consumption and size. However, they offer a wide range of contrasts and colors and have a long display life so they can be used for years without going dead.

Touchscreen Monitors

Touchscreen monitors are built by combining touch-sensitive materials with a durable but sensitive outer material that protects the monitor from fingers but still allows the monitor to detect where a person is placing their fingers. Touchscreen displays are used in Tablet PCs, checkout store terminals and smartphones such as the iPhone.

Organic Light Emitting Display Monitors

OLED monitors are created from pushing an electrical current through organic materials, causing these materials to glow. By manipulating the materials and the electrical current, the glow can be made to be whatever color you want. OLED displays are extremely thin and light and offer the promise of portable, lightweight displays that can be worn on things like clothing. Unfortunately, because OLED technology is still so new, the price of OLED monitors is much more than traditional CRT or LCD monitors, and the life of the monitor is relatively low.

References

• OLED Monitors
• Plasma Versus LCD