MONITOR SHOPPING TIPS

Is flat a good thing? When you head to the store, you'll find both LCD flat-panel displays and flat-screen CRT monitors. You may wonder if flat screens make a difference in terms of image quality, compared to the traditional curved screen of older CRT monitors.

In a word, yes. For decades, CRT tubes were curved out of necessity, not because of a design choice. The electron gun technology used for many years required a curved tube front, in order to position the internal gun equidistant from every point on the screen. Unfortunately, this curvature slightly distorts the image for the viewer. We've all just gotten used to it over time. However, a flat screen does present the image without distortion. Thus, if you work in graphic, video, or art production, you may want to spend the extra money on a new flat CRT monitor or a LCD flat-panel display.

Another strange feature of modern monitors is the integrated speaker set. Like the USB hubs (mentioned in the last tip), integrated speakers are only a space-saving convenience. However, you may find that the speakers aren't any good and you're stuck with them; only a few monitors allow you to detach and remove the speakers from the monitor case.

In addition, if you ever decide to upgrade to surround-sound speakers or to a set that includes a subwoofer, you may find the integrated speakers take up valuable space on your desk. Only consider integrated speakers if you're very space conscious. Most users should purchase speakers separately.

Some monitors offer an extra USB hub integrated into the monitor case, and you may ask why. Good question--this feature costs extra money, but really has nothing to do with your monitor. Monitor makers started including USB hubs as a space saver for cramped computing environments (so that the hub unit doesn't take up space in its own separate box).

However, if you don't use USB devices or you don't require any additional USB ports or hubs, you should forgo a USB-ready monitor and save the extra money.