CRT monitors have been around for quite a few years. As a result, they are very reliable and quite reasonably priced. They offer a very sharp picture with little or no image smearing or lag. The downside of these units is their size, weight, electrical usage and the amount of heat they produce. However, the downside is offset by the quality of the image and graphics performance, which is why gamers and graphic artists still prefer them.

Flat panel LCD screens offer sleek profiles, use less electricity and don't generate much heat. They can be mounted just about anywhere and will fit even the smallest desk. However, LCD screens can be twice the price of the same size CRT and they aren't quite as reliable (though they are getting better in both areas). In addition, image lag and smearing in lower end models can make gaming and graphics work harder on the eyes. Finally, the cheaper the monitor, the more likely there is to be "stuck pixels". Essentially, one of the tiny bits that make up the image gets stuck either on or off.

The major advantages of LCD monitors often outweight their negatives for most users. Their compact footprint and low weight give users more options in where to place them. The photo above actually illustates this benefit: The CRT on the left has a 17" screen while the LCD on the right is 19". In addition to a more compact profile, LCD screens use less power than CRT units. They also provide digital interfaces than can be sharper than a traditional CRT. Finally, better LCD monitors can often run at higher resolutions.

Newer high quality monitors are getting better and addressing some of the negatives. Unless you're a hard-core gamer or do a lot of intensive graphics work, you shouldn't have a problem. In fact, a high quality LCD monitor should provide most people with an excellent experience. Just be prepared to pay for that higher quality.