Apple 20in. Cinema Display LCD Monitor - Mind blowing image quality, slick design too (PC/Mac). Okay, so this isn't the cheapest 20" LCD on the market, but the image quality of this 1680 x 1050 display will truly blow you away. Don't take our word for it, stop by your local Apple store and check this thing out in person - we think you'll be glad you did. It's compatible with both PCs and Macs.

Dell UltraSharp 2005FPW 20.1" LCD - Excellent all-around 20" LCD with 600:1 contrast. Its massive 20.1-inch screen size combined with a 600:1 contrast ratio, 12ms response time, and both digital and analog video inputs make the 2005FPW a superb all-around space-saving display. The 2005FPW is a wide-screen monitor supporting resolutions up to 1680x1050.

Dell Flat Panel E173FP 17" LCD - Reasonably priced good-performing LCD monitor. If the UltraSharp 2005FPW sounds impressive, but too pricey, then the Dell Flat Panel E173FP is a great alternative. Unlike other entry-level 17-inch models in its price class, the E173FP delivers a good 450:1 contrast ratio and an excellent pixel response time of 16ms. You are sacrificing a DVI input, but most buyers won't miss it.

Monitor Buyer's Guide

We know there are still a few diehard fanatics coveting their once-expensive CRT monitors, but it is time for everyone else to move into the digital age. Drop by your favorite retail store. Two years ago the retail racks would have been overflowing with bulky CRT models, but the advent of affordable LCD technology has flipped the monitor market upside down. Those CRT displays can now be found hiding in the back corner, just as anything facing imminent extinction should be.

Today's informed consumer is seeking to maximize tabletop real estate. What is the point of having a great CRT display if it takes over your desk, not to mention your electric bill? Take note too that any decent current generation video card now supports dual monitor connectors. There is a reason for this, and for once it is not so that manufacturers can sell you more unneeded and overpriced hardware. Today's systems are more than powerful enough to simultaneously multitask tens of applications with ease, but who cares if you can only view a couple of applications on a single display? Enter the world of multiple display technology.

Serious power users commonly require, if not demand, the presence of at least two displays. After all, how can one watch a favorite DVD blockbuster release while working on those spreadsheets for next week's business meeting? It is time for an upgrade, and two thin line LCD displays are your ticket to ride.

One aspect that will certainly appeal to nature lovers is the lower energy requirements for LCD displays as compared to their outdated CRT counterparts. Some manufacturers go as far as quoting energy savings of up to an amazing 70% when comparing similarly sized LCD and CRT monitors. Even more impressive, LCD displays emit very little radiation, thus proving to be the superior solution for those stuck behind their computers all day.

The few remaining CRT holdouts try to claim superior image quality with their antiquated displays. Just two years ago we would have agreed, but like most everything else in the technology world, times change. The latest generation of quality LCD monitors from brand name manufacturers offer quality on par, and sometimes exceeding, comparably priced CRT models. A few professional areas, such as 3D design and multimedia production, still require the image clarity offered by top-tier CRT models, but we doubt anyone with such specific needs would ever be caught shopping for consumer-grade displays.

You can sort through the myriad of technical specifications for LCD displays - believe us, there are plenty of them - but your attention can be directed to three primary aspects: screen size, contrast ratio, and pixel response time. Screen size is a given, just remember displays are measured diagonally. We recommend 17-inch as the absolute minimum. As to contrast ratio, remember that higher is always better. We recommend seeking out models with contrast ratios at or above 500:1, though occasional computer users may find entry-level 400:1 models to offer enough color response. Pixel response is not a significant concern for those surfing the Internet, but it will be a huge issue for anyone playing games. The best LCD models offer pixel timings under 16ms. Anything greater than 16ms will commonly result in graphics artifacts in fast-paced 3D games.