Imagine portable smart screens that can connect wirelessly with a base PC from anywhere in a house or small office, thin flexible displays that roll up like paper for transport or storage, or monitors with onscreen circuitry that function like self-contained computers.
Sound surreal? Not really, these are in fact just some of the newest developments in computer display technology.
And why not? Display technology has essentially been the same for many years. Typically, desktop computers have used CRT (cathode ray tube) displays, while notebook computers have relied on LCD (liquid crystal display) technology.
However, flat-panel LCD monitors are now becoming commonplace for PCs. Already researchers are developing innovative display approaches that could improve users` experiences, while also reducing energy consumption and even alter the way people work.
Plummeting LCD prices are one of the driving forces behind the development of new display technologies. Now companies can rapidly bring them to market and stand a chance of making a good return on investment.
In saying this, they also face challenges in consistently providing desirable and reliable functionality at prices that users are willing to pay.
The future is bright
The general consensus is that the future for monitors is flat. Not just in the office, but also in the home, the emergence of thin screens is a certainty no bookie would take a bet against.
Financial sectors are currently the biggest users of LCD monitors, but we`re already seeing changes in the market. Due to the significant price drop late last year, more and more SOHOs are going the LCD route.
However, CRTs aren`t museum pieces yet. These bulky workhorses still account for more shipments than their flat-screen counterparts and many users - especially in SA - are still not ready to replace them.
"CRTs are inherently cheap. It`s a pretty mature process to produce them," comments research authority Gartner.
Still, the gap is closing and many 17-inch LCDs today compete favourably with 19-inch CRTs.
So, how do you choose? The general perception of monitors is that you want the biggest monitor that you can afford, but it`s not always about size.
Users need to look at the environment, brightness, quality and ensure that the monitor fits the application.
Investment protection is also key. Here, again, LCDs seem to have the upper hand as they are definitely geared towards the future, boasting not only a longer lifespan, but general environmental-friendly features.
The backlight is usually the first thing that fails in time, and current LCDs backlight technology is somewhere between 40 000 and 50 000 hours, roughly twice the operating life of a CRT.
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