LCD panel sizes get larger and larger while prices keep dropping. Retailers and manufacturers throw around a lot of numbers and terms to describe their products. So, how to buy the best lcd monitor?

The screen size is the measurement of the displayable area of the screen from the lower corner to the opposite upper corner of the display. LCD’s typically gave their actual measurements but they are now rounding those numbers. Be sure to find the real dimensions typically referred to as the actual screen size whenever looking at a LCD.

The aspect ratio is also another factor to consider. It refers to the number of horizontal pixels to vertical pixels in a display. Most new monitors use either a 16:10 or 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. The 16:9 is the ratio typically used for HDTVs and is now the most common. There are even a few ultra wide or 2:1 aspect ratio monitors on the market but they aren’t very common.

All PC LCD monitor screens can actually display only a single given resolution referred to as the native resolution. This is the physical number of horizontal and vertical pixels that make up the LCD matrix of the display. Setting a computer display to a resolution lower than this resolution will cause extrapolation. This extrapolation attempts to blend multiple pixels together to produce a similar image to what you would see if the monitor were to display it at the given resolution but it can result in images that appear a bit fuzzy.

The majority of monitors for consumers use a glossy coating. This is done because it tends to show off colors better in low light conditions. The downside is that when used under bright light it generates glare and reflections. You can tell most monitors with glossy coatings either through the use of glass on the outside front of the monitor or through terms such as crystal to describe the filters. Business oriented monitors tend to come with anti-glare coatings. These have a film over the computer LCD monitor panel that helps reduces reflections. It will slightly mute the colors but they are much better in bright lighting conditions such as offices with overhead flourescent lighting.