Buying a Monitor .....

Choose a 15-inch monitor rather than a 14-inch. (For desktop publishing and graphics, a 17-inch monitor is even better).
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The monitor should have a flat screen (FST)
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Make sure it has a dot pitch of .28mm or less (preferably .26mm).
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Digital controls are preferable to manual ones.
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Ask to see the monitor working before you buy:

*Check it's in focus across the whole screen.
*Check the image is stable (doesn't flicker). It should be able to support at least 72hz vertical refresh rate at any resolution.
*The image should be able to fill the whole viewable screen area.
*On a 17in monitor, the viewable image should measure not less than 15.5 inches diagonally; 13.5 inches for a 15-inch monitor; 12.5 inches for a 14-inch; and so on.