Computer monitors have varied over time, becoming much more functional. They are the primary output device that shows images and text to the user. The primary function of the monitor is to allow the user to interact with the computer. However, new technologies have given more prominence to monitors creating increasingly advanced devices. But how many types of computer monitors exist?
Monitors are one of the parts of an indispensable computer to be able to visualize and manage information. The quality of the screen of a monitor is measured through the number of pixels that it is capable of displaying in a given space. Still, other characteristics differentiate some monitors from others. Let’s see what they are.
CRT Monitors
The CRT monitors are the oldest began to be made, specifically in 1923. This type of monitor allows images to appear on the computer through a video port that goes to the circuits of the monitor.
The CRT monitor uses the electrons to transfer the images and offers a combination of three primary colors, so the quality of the image and colors is not particularly bright, but sufficient.
These types of monitors are large and extraordinarily heavy. However, they were the most widespread in the 80s and 90s. Today they are practically obsolete. Even though the most modern ones allowed adjustments to be made to improve the visualization and resolution, the truth is that it is no longer an option compared to the new, more advanced monitors that also consume less energy.
LCD Or LED Monitors
The LCD monitors gradually became popular until they became the most widespread type of monitor in desktop computers. To the gain in space that these small-sized screens allow, we must add the low energy consumption and comfort, plus the give a much more realistic color.
LCD monitors allow you to view color images without using an image tube, as they are from liquid crystal. The liquid crystal molecules act by orienting the light that enters the light source to visualize the content.In The Market For Monitors With LCD Technology, There Are Three Variants:
- Twisted Nematic (TN): It is the cheapest type of LCD screen that can lose resolution in swift animations.
- Super Twisted Nematic (STN): is a more advanced type of LCD screen that improves the resolution in images that go very fast and improves visualization at 160º higher angles.
- Guest Host (GH): This type of screen is characterized by containing in the liquid crystal a pigment known as GH. That is responsible for absorbing light, improving work in various colors.
The minimum resolution of this type of monitor has a definition that goes from 1280 x 720 pixels to 3840 x 2160 pixels.
The LED screen monitors are very similar to those of the LCD screen, with the difference that the LED uses diode panels instead of fluorescent. In this way, much brighter shades and colors and better contrasts in higher viewing angles are achieved.
The minimum resolution of these monitors is 1024 × 768.
TFT Screen Monitor
The monitors have a TFT ( Thin Film Transistor ) are similar to those of LCD screen, achieving an improvement in image quality, but are known as active matrix LCD monitors.
The main advantages of TFT technology screens are that they lose weight, thickness, and volume, so they take up less space and are more comfortable to carry. To this, we must add the low consumption of the screen since it works with an LED backlight to illuminate the pixels of the back. The quality of the image improves resolution, and above all, they are less harmful to the health of the eyes.
Plasma Screen Monitors
The monitor’s plasma screen is a flat display that uses a system of small cells with ionized gas therein. It offers a particularly bright image in color and light and with a much-improved contrast so that we can enjoy much more realistic images.
Keep in mind that, especially in the case of a plasma screen monitor, maintaining the brightness level to the maximum can shorten the life of the monitor. So it is preferable to use a lower level that will continue to offer us excellent quality.
Touch Screen Monitor
The touch screen monitors are the latest in technology, and they allow the user to interact directly with the fingers lightly touching screen. In this way, without affecting the keyboard or mouse, it is possible to enter information into the system and see the results. It is also possible to interact directly with the screen by using a stylus.
There Are Three Types Of Touch Screens :
- Resistive Screens: They are exact and resistant because their operation is not affected by dust or water. However, they are thicker than usual and have less brightness on the screen, although they support the use of a pointer or finger.
- Capacitive Screens: In this case, the screens have a higher quality in color. On the other hand, they admit the use of several fingers at once (it is what is known as multi-touch). Still, they do not support the use of any pointer, but of a specific one.
- Infrared Screens: They have an infrared light surface. It allows it to be touched with the fingers or any other object, although they are more expensive than the previous ones.
Today it is possible to enjoy great contrast experiences thanks to the increasingly advanced screen resolutions that advanced technology brings us. Choose the one that best suits your needs to make your monitor more functional.