Most computer monitor manufacturers are using terms like "flat screen" to lure more buyers to their products, but some of these terms are confusing and misleading.  A flat screen on your monitor will not actually be much better than a standard convex screen in most situations except where glare is a problem.  The "secret" is that a flat screen reflects light just as much as a convex screen, but it is easier to eliminate the glare by tilting or rotating the monitor slightly.  The real reason they publish the "flat screen" description so widely is to get your attention!  When you first see the words "flat screen", you probably think about a thin LCD monitor that only takes up about 8" of desk space.  They are hoping you will go ahead and buy their monitor, even though you find it is actually a CRT monitor....

There is actually a very simple way to differentiate between the two types of monitors by looking for one of two keywords: CRT or LCD.  Your 10 year old television and large, bulky computer monitor both use a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) to display the images on the screen.  Your laptop computer uses the same type of display as the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor pictured below.  Standard CRT monitors can now be purchased for under $100, but even smaller 15" LCD monitors still cost around $300.  CRT monitors are less expensive, durable and easy to clean, but they are also heavy and bulky.  LCD monitors are much smaller and take up less desk space and are much lighter, but they are much more expensive and the display screen should never be touched since it will scratch easily.  LCD monitors work much better in the brightly lit areas than CRT monitors, but even they can be hard to view in direct sunlight.

As with any type of monitor, larger is usually better, but the prices for larger LCD monitors increase rapidly with size.  Whether you decide to buy CRT or LCD, I recommend you buy the largest you can afford.  You won't regret it!

Typical CRT Monitor

Typical LCD Flat Panel Display