Computer Displays



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Computer Displays

 

   

Screen specifications are given both in pixel width times height and diagonal screen size. Buying a larger display for your computer but keeping the same graphical adapter gives you a larger image. Because the bit maps stay the same, the "dots" just get bigger, and this means the resolution or clarity of the image decreases. It is the same as with a large TV screen. A smaller, 19-inch screen is quite suitable for a single user at a close distance, while a large, 34-inch display works well for demonstrations or classroom use where the viewers are far away (and therefore need a large image but cannot resolve the larger dots).

Some common display types, resolutions, and sizes aregif:


DISPLAY CHARACTERISTICS
Macintosh SE
512 X 342, monochrome, 9'' diagonal
Macintosh II
640 X 480, 256 colors, 13'' diagonal
IBM PC, VGA
640 X 480, 16 colors, 12'' diagonal
IBM PC, SVGA
1024 X 768, 256 colors, 14'' diagonal
Sun SPARCstation
1150 X 900, monochrome, 19'' diagonal
IBM RS 6000
1280 X 1024, 256 colors, 19'' diagonal
HP Model 900
1280 X 1024, 256 colors, 16'', 19'' diagonal

A number of other factors also influence how readable the screen is. These include the refresh rate and the presence of interlacing. Typically computer displays are refreshed, or redrawn, at 60 to 70 Hz. A higher refresh rate means a smoother display for fast graphics. A common problem occurs when the room lighting and computer screen each flicker (strobe) near the same frequency, in which case the screen's flicker becomes noticeable. This is a common problem in the United States where there is 60 Hz fluorescent lighting in most offices.

    Interlacing is when the screen is drawn twice, the electron beam of the second drawing scanning between the lines of the first drawing. This is used to give television pictures and cheap computer displays increased resolution.



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Next: The X Window Up: Graphic Devices Previous: Graphic Devices