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When it comes to purchasing an LCD monitor for your computer, there are many brands and models to choose from. LCD monitors can be widescreen, designed with movie-watchers in mind, they can have high resolution, perfect for hardcore gamers, and many of them are energy efficient, an advantage for the environmentally conscious. In addition to special features these monitors come in a variety of sizes, too, ranging from 17 to 30 inches wide. With all of these options available, it can be a daunting task to choose a monitor for your computer. By doing a little research, however, and learning what products are available, you can drastically reduce the stress of your hunt and find the perfect LCD monitor to suit your needs.

The Samsung SyncMaster 2053BW is fairly low-priced, as far as LCD monitors go, but it is one of the top models in its size class of 20 inches. Also rated as one of the best monitors for general purpose, the SyncMaster has great color and picture with a 1680x1050 resolution. Selling for between $200 and $300, it is great for either the home or the office.

Available for $399, the HP LP2275w is slightly more expensive than its Gateway competitor the HD 2201 but experts say it is far superior in color reproduction and performance. With a 2-inch thick panel, the LP2275 offers a 1680x1050 resolution and a 20-inch screen. This HP monitor sports various connections such as DVI and Display Port but does not include an HDMI port, which some consumers consider to be its only major drawback.

Moving up in quality and price, the Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP offers a 24-inch flat panel display which is perfect for graphics and photo editing for close to $600. With a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels, the UltraSharp is the monitor with the highest picture quality, excluding professional monitors. The screen itself rotates 45 degrees to either side and 30 degrees back and offers many connection options including VGA, DVI, HDMI, and USB, making it a rather versatile LCD monitor.

The Dell Crystal has been referred to as the "supermodel" of computer monitors due to its fashionable design. Composed of a slim LCD monitor and four speakers embedded in a sheet of glass 4mm thick, the Crystal is a limited edition model available for over $1000. For such an expensive monitor, some reviewers feel its features are lacking. With a 1680x1050 resolution, the Dell Crystal offers the same performance level as many other models which cost $800 less.

Considering the rate at which new technology is being developed, one cannot help but wonder what kind of computer monitors will become available in the coming years. The LCD monitor has already virtually replaced the CRT monitor and provides high-resolution graphics, often in a lightweight wide screen. As newer models are developed, the prices of monitors continue to fall, making them more affordable to the average computer user to utilize in his own home. No matter what model you choose, an LCD monitor will greatly enhance your computer experiences, making video clearer, game graphics sharper, and colors more brilliant.