Computer monitors

Your computer monitor is perhaps the most important element of your computer setup, other than the CPU itself. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most overlooked, and the monitor is often considered an afterthought when buying a new computer. While you use your keyboard, mouse and other devices to interact with your applications and the internet, you are always looking at your monitor, and an upgraded monitor can greatly enhance your computing experience.

Computer monitors are available in two common formats, CRT and LCD. CRT is yesterday's technology, but this design still provides the best color fidelity, making it a good choice for professionals who deal with color production, including print media, photography and video.

LCD is the most popular format, and for good reason. An LCD monitor at any given size takes up less space, weighs less and uses less energy than an equivalent CRT.

LCD monitors are available in two common formats (aspect ratios). The standard format (4:3) is the most familiar. Widescreen (16:9 or 16:10) monitors mimic the aspect ratio of the HDTV format and are an ideal choice for viewing and editing video. In addition, widescreens can easily display multiple documents side by side, so you can work in two or more applications simultaneously.

Perhaps the two most notable negative attributes of LCD monitors are a reduced viewing angle when compared to CRT, and the inability of some LCD monitors to correctly display fast motion. Because of the relatively slow response time of an LCD panel (i.e., how fast a pixel can turn on and off), fast motion can appear blurred or leave trails. Higher-performance LCD monitors tend to reduce, if not eliminate, this problem, although bargain-basement models are all but guaranteed to suffer from it.

Toner-based printers

Toner-based printers work using the Xerographic principle that is at work in most photocopiers: by adhering toner to a light-sensitive print drum, then using static electricity to transfer the toner to the printing medium to which it is fused with heat and pressure.

The most common type of toner-based printer is the laser printer, which uses precision lasers to cause adherence. Laser printers are known for high quality prints, good print speed, and a low (Black and White) cost-per-copy; they are the most common printer for many general-purpose office applications. They are far less commonly used as consumer printers due to a high initial cost.

Laser printers are available in both color and monochrome varieties.

Another toner based printer is the LED printer which uses an array of LEDs instead of a laser to cause toner adhesion to the print drum.

Recent research has also indicated that Laser printers emit potentially dangerous ultrafine particles, possibly causing health problems associated with respiration and cause pollution equivalent to cigarettes. The degree of particle emissions varies with age, model and design of each printer but is generally proportional to the amount of toner required. Furthermore, a well ventilated workspace would allow such ultrafine particles to disperse thus reducing the health side effects.