Hester - 1:06 pm on Nov 19, 2004 (gmt 0)

I bought a 17" TFT which runs at 1280 x 1024. Each monitor I buy, I go up a size. Only when you get to a higher resolution does Windows start to make sense. Otherwise, everything tends to be maximised.

My main point though is this: at first, I hated it. Browns were a horrid colour compared to CRT, certain dark shades even flicker! So much for being better on the eyes. But now I am so used to it that anything else is inferior.

I have ClearType switched on, and it makes a world of difference. Fonts actually look like they do on the printed page.

There is much more room on my desk now too. I had a 19" CRT before and you could hardly move the thing.

I tried a dual-monitor setup with an old 17" CRT I still had but I couldn't bear the difference when running next to my TFT. The colours and the fuzziness were just too awful. (Yet I had used this screen for many years!)

TFT is the way to go and can only improve over time. But like changing from VHS to DVD, or buying a new car, you have to adjust to the change.

One thing I don't like is how much brighter TFTs are. I have my brightness set to zero, but I still had to lower it even more in Windows, as the default brightness is eye-watering. At least it is in my darkened bedroom. I guess the monitor is designed for bright offices.

Just make sure you have a graphics card with a digital output if you are planning to buy a TFT.