Issue 37.16
As I have gotten older (and for many of my readers), the small print and detail on my computer monitor is hard to read. I keep a pair of reading glasses near the computer so I can check some of the things I read.
In the past few years, larger monitors are becoming available which is a very good thing. As little as four years ago, most people were using 17 inch or 19 inch monitors. Now the standard is 21 inches and many people have 23 or 24 inch sizes. These are wonderful when compared to the older and smaller ones, but for some of us, even the 24 inch is a little small for some types of work.
We do have displays that are listed as computer monitors at 27, 32 and even 37 inches, but the cost has been prohibitive for most people – running from a couple of hundred dollars into well over $2000 for some commercial large monitors.
The good news for many of us is the improvement in Television display technology. Some new flat panel televisions have the same resolution (pixel size and clarity) that computer monitors have. Most high quality computer monitors have a display level of at least 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels. This gives you a great amount of clarity. That same level is available in a flat panel TV for well under $500 and the size of the screen is 50 inches.
There are many other televisions of varying sizes with the same quality of picture, but this will give you an idea of how much you can save by purchasing a television instead of a monitor.
The monitor manufacturers are catching on to this trend and some are responding with lower cost large monitors with even better resolution. 3840 x 2160 is a new standard that is being shown on some higher end monitors. Often called the 4K standard, it is stunning in clarity and color depth. Some TVs have it and a number of monitor companies are implementing it in their monitors. One of the cheapest I have found is the Samsung 28 inch monitor for under $600.
There are many options for those of us who want a bigger display. The televisions have the added feature of being able to watch cable or satellite TV if hooked up correctly, and some of the “smart TVs” have streaming services like Roku, Netflix, Hulu and others built in. A few even have DVD or BluRay players included, usually at additional cost.
Whatever you choose, take the time to look at the options at your local electronics or big box store. There is a difference in color, clarity and brightness between brands and models. So get one that you actually like by looking at it in action – and remember to always have a backup of anything important.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 33 years, 26 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently works as a computer consultant. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.