LCDs and eyestrain

[vtformula]

Premise:

I spend long periods of time in front of my computer reading and writing text. This past semester I experienced high levels of eyestrain and fatigue with my CRT monitor (Hitachi Super Scan 811 set at 1152x864@85Hz). I would often get headaches and blurry vision after several hours of writing. I?ve read that LCD?s can reduce eyestrain and am looking into the possibility of buying one.

Questions:

1) Do LCD?s create less eyestrain when reading text? Why?
2) Looking at the LCD?s on display at Best Buy it almost seems like the 17 inch LCD?s displayed text more accurately. Is there any technical reason why this is the case or could it be just the quality of the particular displays I was looking at?
3) Given the following facts and criteria
- I rarely play games
- I mostly view and edit text
- Sharpest least washed out text
- Least amount of glare
- Least fatiguing to read text
- Less than $550
What 17-21 inch monitor (LCD or CRT) can you recommend?
4) PC world ranks the quality of text of the ViewSonic VP912b as outstanding. In your experience has this been the case? Is the monitor too reflective for prolonged text editing? How does this monitor compare to the Dell UltraSharp 1905fp which received a very good text rating?

Thanks for the info.

 

[Kogan]

I don't know much about LCD's, but from what I do know, that's what you need (not a crt). Here's something I found by doing a quick search that answers at least some of your questions:
http://www.nfib.com/object/1583663.html
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...0542&enterthread=y

 

[3chordcharlie]

I think you would find it useful. I'm using an older model, 15-inch samsung LCD, and it's still better on the eyes than any CRT I've ever used. the lack of glare, ability to work at low brightness levels, etc make it really nice.

I'd rather have widescreen, but unless you want that, or have a desire for DVI, almost any cheap 17-inch LCD will look great for text stuff, and shouldn't cause any eye fatigue. Plus they save so much desk space that next time you buy a monitor, it will likely be easy to accomodate dual-screens on your desk

 

[Theguynextdoor]

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=24-009-022&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=24-014-063&depa=1

 

[gnef]

what can also help your eyes during long periods of looking at the screen is doing eye exercises. it is very simple. periodically, you just focus on something near (not the screen) then something far, and do this for about a minute or so, this should help with your eye strain - the blurriness, maybe even help with the headaches. but yes, i would still recommend the LCDs. and multiple ones at that. once you have two, you can't go back to one, and once you have three, you can't go back to two... =) (and if i ever get four attached to this computer, it will be hard to go back to three.... ) LCDs are very nice to have for the reasons other's stated, plus they are just so much lighter and easier to carry around if you ever need to do that.

-Gnef

 

[Jeff7]

Try a higher refresh rate if your monitor can do it; you might have to reduce the resoltution though.
I run my main system's monitor at 120Hz, 1024x768, and 100Hz, 1280x1024(960).

 

[vtformula]

Thanks for the responses.

Theguynextdoor ? thanks for the specific product recommendations. I?ve read a few comments that the BenQ FP931 does not have the sharpest text reproduction. Not bad but nowhere near the best. Can anyone comment specifically on the text quality of this monitor compared to others in its price range? Likewise, how does the text clarity for the ACER AL1912b rate?