In the past CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors were the only choice for desktop systems, while LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display) were built into laptops. Now that people can choose between the two many are asking, which type of monitor is better, LCD or CRT?

CRTs have many pros: they are inexpensive, dependable, have good clear pictures and can be viewed from any angle. As for cons they are heavy weighing between 30-50 pounds (13-23 kilograms), they take up a lot of desktop space being very deep, they're environmentally unfriendly, and they emit a fair amount of low-frequency radiation thought to be unhealthy...

CRTs are still better suited to graphics professionals or those that require exacting color consistency that does not change hue with viewing angle. Video editors, game developers or anyone that works with fast moving images in a professional capacity might also prefer CRTs. The other main draw for the CRT is cost, appealing to those on a budget or those that use their computers very little...

LCD monitors have extraordinary color and graphics but text is also crisper; the screen is much easier on the eyes reducing strain and headaches that sometimes accompany long hours on a CRT. LCD monitors are highly recommended to anyone who works long hours in text-based applications like word processors or spreadsheets...

With reduced eyestrain, great color, and virtually no fading or ghosting, a good LCD is a great choice for the whole family. Whether gaming, putting together a family photo album, surfing, doing homework or writing out proposals for work, the LCD will take up less space while using less electricity (use only one-third to one-half the electricity of their CRT counterparts) and emitting less radiation and will deliver a dazzling picture...

As LCD technology improves and demand rises, prices drop making LCD more affordable. Because of the many advantages of LCD monitors they are expected to replace CRTs as the display of choice, except among professionals that require CRTs for specific purposes...

well i used both on a regular basis and i have to say i really dont have a preference over either one. The LCD's are more space saving tho thats for sure ^^;

I guess LCD is better... i don't know much about it tho...

In addition to the great display ability (such as brighter colors, etc.) it also consume less power compared to CRT. (If i'm not wrong) and also LCD screen is Flat already

I guess the downside is the expensive price...

Let's not forget about all the cheap LCD's out their of low quality. Quality is a big factor when choosing any monitor a LCD with a low refresh rate and response time will give you headaches and for gaming or video will bother you. So, it all depends on what you want to do with it and how high of a resolution you want, price and space are all factors of choosing a monitor.

Quote by LongHairedFreakLet's not forget about all the cheap LCD's out their of low quality. Quality is a big factor when choosing any monitor a LCD with a low refresh rate and response time will give you headaches and for gaming or video will bother you. So, it all depends on what you want to do with it and how high of a resolution you want, price and space are all factors of choosing a monitor.

A maximum response time should be no more than 25ms (miliseconds) for general use, and 17ms is better. Many gamers report no ghosting using LCD monitors with a response time of 16ms or less...

"Ghosting" is a thing of the past. But color correctness is still a major problem among cheap monitors of all types. By far though, cheap to mid-range LCDs will have much worse color than even low-end CRT monitors.

If you don't have enough for a GOOD lcd, then go CRT. Good LCDs are easy to come by though. Price does not make them good. The Dell Ultrasharp series are some of the best goddamned LCD monitors I've ever seen. (not to be confused by their E-series mid-range LCDs) You can get a 17-inch Dell Ultrasharp for under $200.

i would perfer an lcd. There are some professional imaging lcd's out there for like 600 bucks so the coloring the CRTs give u shouldnt be too much of a difference. the CRTs weight alot cause they have lead in it to stop radiation from coming towards you. i think LCD radiation is a bit less. There are cheap LCDs which even if i didnt have enough money for a good one i would go for the cheap one. Less room and CRTs are a thing of the 1990s >>

EDIT: a good thing about CRTs that i like about is the glass screen. You can touch it without damaging the monitor and in an LCD you shouldnt really touch the screen. If you throw a pen at an LCD the screen is going to go black in the area the pen hit even if it isnt that hard a throw. the CRT's glass should be able to take the impact which i like about CRTs.

Why would you throw your screen with a pen darkdragon? lol

I love my LCD's! I have two one is slightly older but brilliant since it ripped my an arm and a leg to buy at the time, I have bought s second LCD about four months ago those Diamond view nearly full 180 degree angle view etc. and I love it.

I used to get headaches in front of my CRT after about 1.5 hours in front of it, now with the LCD's I have gone for 12hours straight at LAN's and have no headache issues of any kind anymore.

Yip my vote is LCD for all kind of purpose mostly being my health!

Preferably CRTs because the resolution hues don't get distorted just by changing your line of perspective. LCDs are preferable only when I'm encountered with space issues. CRTs are also quite more durable than LCDs.

i think an LCD monitor is better than crt. it doesn't need much room. so you have more space on your desk. the LCD displays are getting better and is almost as cheap as CRT monitors now. unlike the earlier LCDs the reaction time has been reduced a lot. it doesn't harm your eyes as much as CRT displays. crt monitors are also often big and ugly.
so imo is LCD better than crt.

U people are comparing apples to oranges, They are both fruit but different both have pros and cons. Without a model comparison their will be no true winner. I do think the LCD technology has come a long way and still can and will be improved. with this said at that point we may have a winner to the debate, but till then it just depends on what models.brand and soforth that your comparing. Personally I have 2 higherend LCD and one Graphic series CRT. All have pros and cons Ex: one time I tried to make the color schemes match same picture veries in shades and white temp. depending on witch monitor I'm on.

Food for thought.

LCD definately....they're nice...hehe...but have to careful around em, my computer minitor is LCD, sometimes i point to some stuff then just then later on notice there is a pencil mark, but then, it goe away....LOLzzz...careless.....LOLz

LCD for me too although I'm currently using Samsung 19in. CRT Monitor. The price of LCD has dropped so much that I am tempted to buy one soon because of low energy consumption and less space it takes.

CRT definately

1. I haven't enough money for good LCD
2. Bad LCD monitors are really tiring me
3. Sometimes I look at the screen sitting on the floor. You can't do it with LCD
4. And I often unconsciently touch monitor. ^^*.

The only good point for LCD, they are small. . But I don't need space behind monitor anyway........

I really prefer an LCD. I have van 19" ACER monitor and they're really not all the expensive anymore ^^

both have their pro and cons,
a LCD is less bulky, and less powerconsuming than a CRT.
a 19" CRT doesn't necessely mean that the viewing area is 19" the 19" normally refers to the tube size, such that a 19" CRT would give you a viewing area of 17", so a 17" LCD would give you a view area similar to a 19" CRT
LCD are less bright than CRT
LCDs have something called native resolution, which CRTs don't so if you are getting a LCD, be sure to get one which resolution is divisible by 1024 by 768 or 800 by 600 else 1024 by 768 walls are gonna get stretch and distorted

I think LCD is more suitable for me , and , of course expect the price .

Yes , LCD is not so good in game , but for me , it's enough . I just use my computer for explorer internet , or do some office , or write some simple programs .

Quote by xiaodickbe sure to get one which resolution is divisible by 1024 by 768 or 800 by 600 else 1024 by 768 walls are gonna get stretch and distorted

LCD monitors come in various aspect ratios, those running at 1024x768 and 800x600 using 4:3, but personally I have preference for the widescreen monitors, most commonly at 16:10 (1280x800, 1440x960, 1680x1050, 1900x1200 being the most common native resolutions depending on size) but I have seen some at 16:9, or anamorphic widescreen. While it is true that stretching 4:3 wallpapers to fill a widescreen display will distort the wallpaper there is a plethora of widescreen wallpapers that will display with no distortion at all out there.

For gaming CRT is the only way to go, for everything else it doesn't matter much. As long as the screen is high quality, bright enough and crisp its all good.

as a computer gazer, im more likely voting for LCD, less eye stress and the screen is more pleasing in the eye, and more space for my room!

chill out!

- yoh

for gamers i think it shoudl be under 8ms to be indistingusable but there are 6ms ones out on the market now (tho expensive) LCD moniter prices are dropping, i think the 1st thing you need to do w/LCD when you get it is make sure everyon the screen seems clear, if not then return it for another one (this is more likely with non-name brand makers) a good way to do this is by opening command prompt and moving it around the screen and seeing if any of the letters get screwed up. also pay attention to the contrast ration for LCD screens (diff between the blackest black and the lightest white) lcd screen are also more suceptable to damage and scratches than CRTs but overall i think LCDs are much better than CRTs

I like LCDs a lot more than CRT. They take up less room for one, more desk space! And when I stare at a CRT for a long time my head starts to hurt. Because they're uncomfortable to look at. And I also don't like how, if you take you hand and move it around in front of a CRT it's very nauseating.

Ddark ingram seems to be biased on the whole subject before he even asked the question and I would vote for LCD as well namely because it just feels more crips...true the CRT is more better in overall quality but I think about my eyes (which are naturally bad enough as it is xD) and how much space I need (cos I collect magazines)...and then finally I think about how much electricity I save and then the costs of the LCD (more than the CRT) should pay for itself =3

i have owned two lcds. currently i have a Viewsonic VP930b 19 inch lcd set at 1280x1024 resolution connectd via dvi. my imaging canvas is generally 1600x1200.
later this year i will purchase a 1600x1200 or perhaps a wide-screen.

it is true a crt will allow for ideal graphic optimization but lcd's have vastly improved and they do not reflect light which is very important as my pc is in my kitchen near 2 windows.

i also love how very little space it takes up. if only the screen where more durable...
i have a couple of dead pixels at the upper to most left section of the monitor..