Q: So, I bought a 22" flat screen LCD monitor at best buy, but i find it slightly difficult to focus on it. I used to have a huge CRT 20" monitor, so i've never had a small monitor. Does anyone else have trouble focusing on big monitor, are my eyes just sensitive? Should I take it back and get a 19" instead. Money isn't a problem either.
A: It is probably not as much the size that is making it hard for you to focus as the resolution in relationship to size (pixel pitch). I am guessing that your 20"CRT had a higher resolution than your new 22" LCD. The higher resolution per a smaller area gives a smaller pixel pitch which gives a sharper picture. For example: I have a 15.4" laptop with a resolution of 1280x800. This is a pixel pitch of 0.259mm. I used to hook it up to a 19" LCD with a resolution of 1440x900 (pixel pitch of 0.285mm). Everything looked bigger on the 19" monitor and when i went back to my laptop... everything looked really sharp. This was because of the pixel pitch difference. You will probably get used to it but if it bugs you DON'T GET A 19" MONITOR!!! You will have the same problem as it will have very close to the same pixel pitch as your 22" (assuming typical resolutions on the 22" and 19" of 1680x1050 and 1440x900). If you are going to return it and get another monitor, get a 20" because most of them have a resolution of 1680x1050 (which i am guessing is the same as your 22") in a smaller area giving a smaller pixel pitch (0.258mm) and thus a sharper picture. Another thing that could be contributing to your problem is the type of finish on your screen. Most LCDs have a matte (also called antiglare) finish on the screen which slightly blurs the image. This could be what you are noticing. If you find this is the case, then I would suggest getting a glossy screen monitor. Gateway and HP both have good glossy screen monitors. I have the Gateway FHD2200 22" monitor and i like it alot. Also, both Gateway and HP monitors are available at Best Buy! Your best choice might be to get the HP 20" monitor with glossy screen (Gatiway does not make a 20" screen otherwise i would probably have it and it would be my recommendation). You could also look at Samsung but they tend to be a little more expensive. however i would still recommend a Gateway first (unless you want a 20"). then go Samsung or HP. If the blur you are seeing seems to be in motion on the screen, then get a monitor with a shorter response time (less than 5ms is good) Hope this helps! Also see link below.