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Why LCD monitors are flat out the best option for small businesses
Choosing between a flat-panel LCD monitor and a CRT monitor has gone from a tough call to a no-brainer for many small businesses. These days, the flat panel is flat out the best choice.
A few years ago, when companies were considering whether to purchase a flat panel LCD (short for liquid crystal display) or the more traditional - and boxier - CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor, the choice almost always boiled down to price. Back then, a flat panel cost an arm and a leg compared to the price tag on a similarly sized CRT.
Price is no longer a major issue. Today, flat panel LCD monitors cost only fractionally more than their CRT counterparts, and many computer manufacturers and retailers bundle them in with a PC purchase at no additional cost. Now that price is less of a factor, almost all small businesses should choose flat panel LCD monitors.
Here's why
Flat panel monitors provide significantly more benefits and continue to increase in popularity. DisplaySearch, a technology consulting and research firm, projects that flat panels, which represented 82 percent of all monitor sales in 2004, will represent 96 percent of all sales by 20092 . In fact, unless you are an architectural, graphic design, video, photography, or some other firm that absolutely requires the level of high-resolution image detail that can only be produced by a high-end CRT, there really isn't a reason to choose a CRT.
In addition to the fact that they simply look much more professional than their boxier predecessors, they also:
- Are trimmer and slimmer: With their slim profiles and widescreen displays, flat panel LCD monitors provide more image space than CRTs yet typically take up less than half the desk space
- Are better for the environment: Flat panels use about 30 percent less power than CRTs and have a lower cooling cost. LCDs are also easier to recycle than CRTs
- Provide better image brightness: On average, LCDs offer twice the brightness of CRTs, which makes them easier to view in brightly lit rooms
- Have similar contrast: Although CRTs once were the kings of contrast, they're barely holding on to the title these days. When a monitor provides good image contrast, it makes it easier to see images in low-light situations, and helps to make video games and movies appear sharper on the screen
- Provide great colour: While the absolute highest level of color and purity can only come from high-end CRTs, those models tend to be well out of reach for most small business budgets. On the other hand, most flat panels on the market today provide outstanding colour purity and quality - and they're easily affordable
- Help with headaches and sore eyes: Some of the main causes of sore eyes and headaches among computer users are the screen flicker and glare created by CRT displays. Since flat panel LCDs have no screen flicker at all and significantly reduce glare, they can help alleviate the medical miseries that their CRT counterparts can cause
"Advances in technology have not only helped to drop the price of flat panel LCDs, but have also made it possible for LCDs to either match or outperform CRTs in virtually all the functions that are important to small businesses," said Brian Hovey, manager of Dell's SMB software and peripherals group. "The bottom line: the LCD is the most practical, sensible and affordable choice for small businesses."
Enhance your vision and take a look at the Dell Monitor Info Centre
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