Flat panel monitors are composed of several pieces of thin, transparent material treated with chemicals and attached to small electrical contacts in the back. Because there is no electron gun, flat panel monitors use far less electricity and radiate far less energy and they are very light and thin compared to CRT monitors. Flat panel technology was first introduced into the portable computer market (laptops and notebook computers). However, flat panel monitors are prone to odd problems of small black areas on the screen and have low resolutions when compared to mid-range to high-end CRT monitors. They are also approximately four times more expensive.

June 2004:

• 17" CRT monitor ~ US $109.00
• Flat-panel ~ US $399.00

Flat Panel monitors are frequently not as bright as CRT monitors and they cannot display as many colors. If you will not be doing a lot of graphics or photography work with your computer and need to save space and/or power, a flat panel monitor may be better for you.