monitor lifetime

[rizzo56]

what is the lifetime of a computer monitor? I know TVs can last for 10 years, how about computer monitors? I ask because I am interested in buying an older (1999) 21" monitor with a sony crt.

 

[Soulkeeper]

they should last just as long if not longer than tv's
i got a few 15" monitors that are like 10 years old now and they work fine still
i dunno if monitors get dimmer or less vivid over time but they seem to work for a few years

 

[acemcmac]

I sure hope the current ones last a while... :\ especally with how much im investing in matching sets...

 

[PCHPlayer]

I have an old Nanao 17" that is 10 years old. I find that the crispness and brightness are gradually fading. I guess I got my money's worth, even if I did pay $1200 for it. I would say you should get at least 8 good years and perhaps a few more useful years.
BTW I also have a 15 year old TV that works just fine. Hope it holds out until I can afford an HD TV.

 

[rimshaker]

Iv'e seen tons of monochrome monitors from the original ibm pc's still working. We're talking 1981 or before.

 

[EarthwormJim]

Good CRT monitors will probobly last 15-20 years, although they're picture will definitely degrade in quality. They'll suffer from a fuzzier, dimmer, and less vibrant picture, but they'll still run. I've got an old NEC 6FGp, it still works and looks pretty good considering its from 94'. I don't think you'll have a problem with a monitor from 1999. Is it flat though? That would be a big priority for me if I was going for another monitor.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Unfortunately, my 19" Viewsonic CRT (V95) is starting to die, and I got it new back in 1998. Worth every penny of the $400 or so bucks I spent on it almost 6 years ago, though.

 

[novice]

I just had a KDS 17" Avitron monitor die on me. It was only 5 years old, but I got a lot of use out of it. Won't miss the two wires that run through the Trinitron tube. Meanwhile my Viewsonic A70 is 6 years old and working fine. The other good news is that the new Samsung 955 DF 19" monitor that I ordered to replace the dead KDS actually cost me like $25 less than the dead 17". Of course within a week of ordering my Samsung, Office Depot has the 19" KDS flat screen CRT for just $97 after mir's. Figures....

 

[rancherlee]

My Viewsonic A70 is on its 5th year now, picture quilty isn't as good as it was new but its still better then alot of new 17" screens. Its on about 8 hours a day so it's had 14,000 hours of use so far, not bad for a 330$ monitor 5 years ago. My next one WILL be a viewsonic.

 

[WobbleWobble]

After about 5 years, the phosphorus starts dying and you'll notice the screen will be considerably dimmer.

Geometry also goes downhill then.

That monitor will still work, but the quality won't be the same. Personally, I wouldn't buy one that old.

 

[Robor]

My Sony CPD-G400 died a couple of weeks ago. It was just short of 4 years old. My friend had a Sony that died after 14 months. Keep in mind Sony's warranty is only 12 months - rather short in my opinion...

 

[Matthias99]

I also have a 5-6 year-old Viewsonic that's slowly losing contrast/brightness, and the picture's a bit less sharp in one corner. I'd say 3-5 years of full quality operation is to be expected from a good quality monitor; after that, they gradually degrade until at some point they fail completely.

 

[Matthias99]

 

[Matthias99]

 

[Matthias99]

 

[Matthias99]

 

[Matthias99]

 

[Matthias99]

 

[Matthias99]

Woah. My computer just flipped out. Sorry.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Matthais99, so that's how you get your post count so high in such a short period

You can also tweak the brightness and convergence of the CRT monitor using the pentiometers inside the case of the monitor. It's a good simple fix for older monitors that got dimmer over time. Many people are uneasy about working inside a monitor, however.

I forgot to mention you also have to know the usage of the monitor. If it's been on all day for the past few years, I would pass on a monitor that old. If it has been turned off when not used, then it may be worth a look.

You'd also notice discolouration in different spots of the monitor as it gets older as well.