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This alien concept, it is common sense to the rest of the world

http://lifehacker.com/5884040/is-it-okay...er-monitor

Dear Lifehacker,
I've been debating between buying a new computer monitor or an HDTV to use with my PC. Since large monitors (say about 27 inches) are close to the prices of a decent sized HDTV (say 32 inches or smaller) which would you go with?

Signed,
Confused About Monitors

What's Your Primary Usage?

If the bulk of your computer usage is browsing articles on the internet, reading email, writing, or anything similar, the biggest problem you'll have with the bigger HDTV screen is the lower resolution. Text will look fuzzy and hard to read—especially up close—when compared to most high-resolution monitors. Remember, when it comes to monitors, resolution matters most. A 32-inch HDTV can sport the same resolution as a 27-inch monitor (assuming they're both 1080p), but blown up an additional five inches. This makes everything a little fuzzy and not conducive for reading.

If you go below 32-inches on the HDTV, you are stuck with the lower 720p resolution if you want to keep the TV cheap. After testing it out for myself on an admittedly low-quality Vizio 27-inch TV, I would not want to use the TV on a daily basis because text is blurry and difficult to read.

So, if you primarily use your computer for basic day-to-day computing, you'll be more comfortable and get a better experience out of the 27-inch monitor since it usually has a higher resolution and is easier to set up ergonomically. If you use your computer for entertainment, it's a whole different story.

Entertainment

When the bulk of your computer usage is tied up in gaming or watching movies, a big HDTV-as-monitor is a great experience, but it comes with a few caveats. First off, the same ergonomic problem applies, so you need to have a desk set up in a way that you can sit back a bit from the TV. Second, you're still better off with the higher resolution 1080p TV if you're using it as a part-time computer monitor, so the cost might bump up a bit.

That said, as an all-in-one entertainment solution it can look and work great. It will take some rearranging on your part to make it to comfortable to sit at and use, but if you can work with it, it will do you well.

You might also want to consider using the HDTV as a second monitor in a dual-monitor setup and keeping your current monitor for regular browser use or email writing. This will give you the best of both worlds, even if it does take up a lot of desk real estate.

How in the world? I must be psychic