Flat panel monitors are definitely taking over the market. They've been available for sometime, but because of their initial high prices and a lot of bugs they seemed to be having, they weren't immediately popular. Today, they are both more or less bug free and dropping in price rapidly. With just a little snooping around you can pick up a relatively cheap one in no time at all.

Finding a cheap flat panel monitor is getting easier and easier all the time. I picked up a fairly screen a few months ago, and I'm astonished at what a difference it has made in picture quality.

The prices on these new screens is now only slightly higher than CRT models of the same size. I have to wonder why anyone in their right mind would buy a new CRT monitor when you can just pick up a relatively cheap flat panel. It's definitely worth the small increase in price. The larger ones are of course still pretty steep, but the 15 and 17 sizes have dropped considerably in the last couple years.

There are plenty of brands out there that make cheap flat panels, and loads of options to choose from. The best way to get one at a good price is to go with an unknown, generic brand rather than a big name. They tend to be especially inexpensive and work just fine. The place I used to work at had some random brand screens and we never had problems with any of them. Having said that, even the better known companies like Sony are offering screens at a good price also, so if your wary of generic brands or just a loyal Sony customer, you won't have to pay much more.

The monitor I bought is in fact a Sony, only because the local dealer had an amazing sale on them. That's another useful tip when you go shopping. Check out the sales! For one reason or another, there always seems to be an especially good deal out there on cheap flat panels. Keep your eyes open and you'll probably see one soon enough.

If you're still using an old clunky CRT style monitor, ask yourself why. When you've snapped out of it, take that old monitor to a dump and pick up your new toy on the way home.