life-span of monitor?

[Dave Gower]

I bought my first PC in 1994 and at the time splurged on a 17 inch Samsung
monitor. Since then I've replaced my system twice but each time kept the
monitor because it was working great. Quite honestly (although I've never
done a side by side comparison) I see no difference between the quality of
the image on new LCDs and CRTs I see in stores and my old beast.

There's times when I think a 19 or even 21 inch LCD would be nice, and it
would certainly take up less space, but the Scotsman in me is reluctant to
trash a perfectly faithful old friend.

So my question is, how long can I expect the Samsung to last? Another 10
years? (It's on for maybe a couple of hours a day). Will I get anything
important in a new LCD that my Samsung doesn't have?

 

[Jan Alter]

I've read many times that the average life of a CRT is between 5 - 7 years.
I used a Viewsonic 17" for seven years before it got noticeably dim to the
point of replacement. Your Samsung is relatively equivalent then to our 19
year old water heater, that should have died about 3 - 4 years ago. I
probably should replace it anyway.
That being said I am also preferential to CRTs, not only because they give
a better picture and more vivid colors, and they look good at many
resolutions rather than an LCD's optimum one, but because they are vastly
cheaper. LCD's show marked picture deterioration when they aren't set at
their native resolution from what I've seen.
The only two things I see an LCD going for it are that they take up a lot
less space and they give off less radiation. Many folks will also maintain
that they are easier on the eyes. I haven't noticed any difference, but
that's me. Keeping the refresh rate up on the CRT I believe aavoids that
difficulty.

 

[MrB]

Keep your water heater. That's incredible!

I've read many times that the average life of a CRT is between 5 - 7 years.
I used a Viewsonic 17" for seven years before it got noticeably dim to the
point of replacement. Your Samsung is relatively equivalent then to our 19
year old water heater, that should have died about 3 - 4 years ago. I
probably should replace it anyway.
That being said I am also preferential to CRTs, not only because they give
a better picture and more vivid colors, and they look good at many
resolutions rather than an LCD's optimum one, but because they are vastly
cheaper. LCD's show marked picture deterioration when they aren't set at
their native resolution from what I've seen.
The only two things I see an LCD going for it are that they take up a lot
less space and they give off less radiation. Many folks will also maintain
that they are easier on the eyes. I haven't noticed any difference, but
that's me. Keeping the refresh rate up on the CRT I believe aavoids that
difficulty.

--
Jan Alter
(e-mail address removed)
or
(e-mail address removed)12.pa.us