Monitor Size and Cost

Monitor size is not measured like a TV. On a TV, a 32" TV means that the actual picture is 32", measured diagonally. On a computer monitor, a 17" monitor might only have a 15.7" viewable image, measured diagonally. The law requires that a monitor manufacturer disclose the actual viewable image size along with the monitor size, but the marketing used often leads one to think they are getting a bigger picture than they really are.

When searching for your next monitor, make sure to pay attention to the actual picture size. Get whatever you can afford. Most users agree that the 17 inch monitor is the optimal size for the money. Most 17-inchers have a 15.7" viewable image size, which is fine for most purposes. After one has used a 17 inch or larger monitor, they won't want to go back to a smaller size. You get so used to the smaller 15" screens that you don't know what you're missing.

Seventeen-inch monitors are growing in popularity and have surpassed the smaller screen in sales. The main reason for this is the price. The price for 17-inch monitors have come down to what 15-inch monitors used to cost. Usually, these monitors are rather basic, but keep in mind that all modern monitors are capable of the same graphics.

If one is simply not satisfied with a 17-inch, they can always pick up a 19" or a 20". The prices on these monitors are actually pretty affordable compared to what they used to be.

The 15-inch monitor has been surpassed by its bigger cousins, but is still a viable and very affordable option. You can grab a nice 15-inch for under $100 now. They do the job, but they are quite small. For graphical work, don't even think about it. For business apps, it is fine, but still is cramped.

The 14-inch monitor is simply too small for anyone, in my opinion. In fact, if you can still find one in a computer store, run.

Bundled Monitors

Often, if you buy a pre-built PC, you will receive a monitor with it. Some assume that the manufacturer knows something they don't and that the monitor is the perfect match for that particular computer and video card. This is not necessarily true. While this monitor will provide a basic set of features and adequate performance, the manufacturer has value in mind instead of quality and performance.

Most PC's come bundled with a 15" monitor. Some come bundled with 17" or larger monitors, as well. Many vendors do not offer a bundled monitor at all, but instead offer it as an upgrade for an additional fee. Of course, the cheapest will be the smallest and most basic. It is worth it, though, to check out the upgraded, more expensive monitor. In some cases, you can get a great deal on a nice size monitor through a vendor when you a purchasing a PC.

Lastly, many vendors offer bundled monitors that come with the vendor's own label on it. Some may wonder if this monitor is as good as a name brand monitor. This is not a problem, though. Chances are that these monitors are being assembled in the same place by the same people. The vendor is simply purchasing the monitor wholesale and slapping their own label on it. Some vendors simply have the manufacturer modify the monitors a tad to bring them to a certain standard. Nevertheless, the vendor is probably not making their own monitor.

Back To Monitors

Back Home