General Monitor Dimensions Question

[ikaika1]

If its a 17" monitor, why does no dimension ever really equal 17"? Where did the convention come from to name a monitor by a dimension that is smaller than its screen, larger than its horizontal footprint, and smaller than its diagonal footprint?

 

[DeeK]

It's the diagonal of the screen. However, since the bezel of the monitor covers some of that up, you get a smaller viewable area.

 

[JohnnyPC]

It's loser to the viewable than it used to be. There was a huge class action legal dealio with all the users that were a bit more anal then others. They asked this same questioned and ulitmiately won their suit. Calling it a generally a 17" monitor is still easier than calling it '16.85" viewable image area' monitor any day of the week...

 

[ikaika1]

so the answer is that in some cases up to a full half an inch of screen is being occluded by the bezel on each corner?

 

[bret]

measure diagonal.

most of the time if it says 17' that means that there is a 16' "viewable"

just take a tape measure and measure the glass part of the monitor. and that is your viewable screen size

 

[JohnnyPC]

Yep...get a 19" next time and end up with only 18" ? ? ? ?

It is what is and nothing more...:|:Q