CRT monitors have surged back into relevance on a wave of nostalgia. They offer better contrast ratios and higher refresh rates than modern LCDs, making older media richer and more revealing. And they are the best choice for vintage console gaming. But finding a 19 inch crt monitor that reliably works requires patience and some hunting. Most reviews, specification sheets and comparison data have vanished, making it hard to know what to look for.
This guide will help you find the right 19 inch crt monitor for your needs. First, decide whether you want a flat or curved screen. Curved screens are closer to the experience of a mid-90s PC or earlier, while flat screens are more common after the turn of the millennium. Then, figure out what your budget is and how much you want to spend.
A 19 inch crt monitor can cost anywhere from free to several hundred dollars depending on how picky you are. You can find a used one on eBay or Etsy, but you may have to pay for shipping and the monitor might not be in good condition. A used monitor from the early 2000s will usually have a VGA input, which is the most common connector for computer monitors.
When shopping for a 19 inch crt monitor, remember that resolution doesn’t determine how sharp the image is. What matters is the dot pitch — how closely spaced are the electrons that hit phosphors on the front of the display. Some monitors use a shadow mask with evenly spaced holes, while others (like the Viewsonic P95f+B shown in the photos above) have an aperture grille screen.