What do CRT and LCD stand for?

You are faced with a great many options when choosing a monitor for your computer. Used monitors come in many forms, ranging from used, to seller refurbished, manufacturer refurbished and third part refurbishment and de-branding. There are also two major monitor models in the market, CRT or LCD.

CRT also known as cathode-ray tube, the technology used in most televisions and computer display screens. A CRT works by moving an electron beam back and forth across the back of the screen. Each time the beam makes a pass across the screen, it lights up phosphor dots on the inside of the glass tube, thereby illuminating the active portions of the screen. By drawing many such lines from the top to the bottom of the screen, it creates an entire screen full of images. LCD or liquid crystal display, a type of display used in digital watches, many portable computers and computer display screens.

LCD displays utilize two sheets of polarizing material with a liquid crystal solution between them. An electric current passed through the liquid causes the crystals to align so that light cannot pass through them. Each crystal, therefore, is like a shutter, either allowing light to pass through or blocking the light.

Does Size Really Matter?

The primary real world difference between these monitors is their size. CRTs take up significantly more desktop space then do their much thinner LCD counterparts. CRT monitors can often be found at highly aggressive pricing; often times a 21" CRT can be purchased for less than 1/4 the price of the equivalent LCD. CRTs can be more expensive to ship, generally produce more heat than an LCD monitor and require more desktop space. Being that CRTs have been in the market for many years, they are often very reliable and cheaper to repair than LCD’s.

Why are some monitors cheaper than others?

Regarding monitor conditions and quality, a used monitor is just that, used, perhaps cleaned before resale. Any existing defects including screen burns, scratches, dents, and bruising are left unprepared. These monitors can often be found in excellent condition and often at a very aggressive price but generally do not come with a manufacturer warranty.

A reseller refurbished monitor is returned to as close to possible new condition by the reseller. The pricing of these units are usually aggressive and generally come with a reseller warranty.

Factory refurbished monitors are returned to new condition by the original manufacturer and often come with a full factory warranty. Factory refurbished monitors are generally priced higher than used or reseller refurbished equipment, but their higher pricing does not always guarantee a higher quality product.

A factory refurbished and de-branded monitor is a monitor that has been returned to like new condition by a third party factory. Often times these factories have agreements with the original manufacturer that require them to de-brand this equipment, in other words, to remove the original manufacturers name from the unit. These units will range in price but are often of very high quality.

Whatever your needs, HCDI can supply a monitor to meet them.

HCDI currently carries Dell 17", Dell 19"and Dell 21" CRT Monitors, including the following Dell Models: Dell M782 / Dell E770S / Dell E771A / Dell E771mm / Dell E771P / Dell E772C / Dell E772P / Dell E773C / Dell E773S / Dell M781P / Dell M782 / Dell M783S / Dell P793 / Dell M782 / Dell E770S / Dell E771A / Dell E771mm / Dell E771P / Dell E772C / Dell E772P / Dell E773C / Dell E773S / Dell M781P / Dell M782 / Dell M783S / Dell P793

We also Carry Dell 15" LCD, Dell 17" LCD, Dell 18" LCD, Dell 19" LCD, Dell 20" LCD and Dell 21" LCDs including the following Dell Models: Dell 1703FP / Dell E171FP / Dell E173FP / Dell E176FP / Dell 1800FP / Dell 2001FP

If you do not find the model that you are looking for, please feel free to contact us as our supply changes often and we can source products for our customers.