Advantages & Disadvantages of Monitors

Computer monitor manufactures are continuously seeking ways to improve liquid crystal display (LCD) and cathode ray tube (CTR) monitors. Some of the technological achievements include LCDs’ response time and color clarity, making them faster and able to handle a wide range of computing work such as editing, gaming and design. The monitors vary in durability, power consumption and safety measures. Choosing a monitor that suits your computing needs requires you to take the advantages and the disadvantages of monitors into consideration.

LCD monitors with Energy Star ratings use little electricity in comparison to CRT machines as LCDs consume 25 watts to 50 watts, while CRT monitors consume 60 watts to 80 watts. You can determine the exact amount of power a monitor consumes using online power consumption calculators. This makes it possible for individuals or businesses to keep track of overhead costs such as electricity bills and come up with beneficial energy-saving measures.

According to a research by Jon Peddie, the founder of Jon Peddie Research and a graphics industry pioneer, using two monitors at the same time increases productivity by 20 percent to 30 percent. Multiple monitors make it possible for professionals such as fashion and graphic designers to compare their current designs with other designers’ or their own previous works. Modern Macs and Windows computers allow you to plug in two monitors.

Monitors emit extremely low frequency (EFL) radiation and microwave radiation, which are harmful to human health. These types of radiation have electromagnetic properties that penetrate solids, including the human body. People who stay in front of monitors for long can develop heart diseases and cancer as results of EFL and microwaves radiation. Sit two feet (about 60 cm) away from the computer to minimize the radiation effects and this might be difficult for people with poor eyesight.

LCD monitors are costly to buy and maintain and limits an individual or a company’s ability to acquire them. LCD monitors require frequent monitoring to ensure that the drivers are computer virus free and are working properly. Malfunctioning monitor drivers can hinder efficient performance of certain software applications and this can lower the quality of work done using the monitor.

CRT monitors have low refreshing ability known as the flickering effect. This lowers productivity because the user has to wait for some time for the monitor to respond to a command. The flicker effect can also make you lose interest when performing computing tasks that require heavy software applications such as video game programming or web design.