Faulty Technology: Monitors
So I finally broke down and did some web development today. The good side: I'm being productive. The bad side: I realized my shiny 22" monitor is brighter at the bottom than at the top of the screen. I don't know if it was always like this or the numerous transports to and from school had something to do with it. Yes, I always repackage my monitor before travel but who knows what could happen with the fragile technology of today.
How do I notice now and not before? Well when you're watching movies and tv in HD, you gawk at the crispness and then keep watching the show. When you're doing any sort of graphic design you're maximizing your desktop space and in my case, comparing the graphic prototype to the HTML creation.
At first, I thought that the color I selected was not HTML web-safe and consequently displayed in two different shades. That happens. However, I dragged the the windows around and low and behold, they are not two different shades.
This problem isn't super uncommon. In fact, I would bet that a lot more people have this issue and they just never notice. I've had this monitor for almost a year and just finally noticed. You have to really be paying attention and know that the two colors should be the same. Black doesn't really work because it's widespread knowledge that monitors don't always spread a uniform black.
What now? Nothing, I continue finishing this site design and I live with the fact that my top and bottom will always mismatch. At least now I have reasonable incentive for a new 24" or better yet a quality 30" behemoth.
January 19th, 2009 - 11:57
This is one reason why I may be forced to go with a slightly more expensive IPS LCD monitor. TN is cheap and fast, but it’s just not suited for graphic work, unfortunately. I’m still hanging onto a 17″ CRT. But at this point, since I do more web design than print design, I might be better off with an LCD anyway. More people have them now.
January 22nd, 2009 - 22:20
I’m missing my old 17″ CRT when I work on designs. I don’t think I could go back though, those things are kinda large.
The thing is I went and grabbed a Samsung thinking paying a little more would do it. I think I’m going to have to make sure I go with the high-end Samsungs next time around.
January 23rd, 2009 - 00:55
Pay attention to panel types and image quality reviews. Price and listed specs aren’t clear cut.