Abstract
The present display technology transition in computing from CRT to LCD monitors poses many human factors research questions. In this study, computer monitor technologies were compared, using two CRT and two active-matrix LCD monitors under four lighting levels. Ten participants took part in a 4times4 within-subjects experimental design where they performed word processing, data entry, and web-browsing tasks. Results show that one of the LCD monitors was associated with poorer performance on the word processing task than an equivalent grouping of the other three monitors. Thus, it is concluded that active-matrix LCD monitors are capable of equitable performance with the traditional CRT technology, but it is uncertain whether the technologies themselves are equivalent. Lighting was another significant effect, with the dark (0 lux) and very bright (1200 lux) conditions causing poorer performance. There was no interactive effect between monitors and lighting. The battery of tasks used in this study, representative of office work, is also discussed.
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