lcd display computer case free sample

I saw a really cool video of a PC case called "Snowblind", that had a transparent LCD Screen as a side panel. I was amazed over how cool it was. The only problem was that it was really expensive. Therefore, I tried making my own! In this instructables I will go through how I made it, and how you could make your own. The best of all, since it was made from an old monitor that was thrown away, it was basically free! I just added some LED strips on the inside of the case to get better contrast on the screen. You could probably re-use the monitors backlight, but it"s safer and easier to just get some cheap LED strips.

You will have to reverse engineer the controller to find the power connections, and solder a new power connector on. This way, you can use the ATX power supply that powers your computer. I used a multimeter, where I had one probe to the ground plane (For example around the mounting screws), and used the other probe to search for 5V or 12V power on the pins coming from the power supply.

First, remove the frame of the panel. It is fixed with clips, so just bend the frame a little and lift the frame up. Next, separate the front LCD from the backlight. For the next step, you will have to be careful. This step involves removing the anti glare film. It is glued to the panel, and therefore it"s easy to break the LCD when trying to remove it.

Then you are done modding the LCD! Now, you can hook it up to the panel and test it. Just be careful with the ribbon cables going from the LCD PCB to the panel.

The side panel of this case fits the LCD perfectly. Just line it up to the side facing the back, and to the top, and use some tape to tape it to the glass. Then, use some vinyl on the outside where the LCD is not covering the glass.

It"s really important to have lots of lights inside the case, to make it easier to see the LCD. Therefore, try to fill the case with even more LED strips.

You are now ready to assemble everything. In this case, the controller fit nicely in the hard drive compartment, so I glued it there and fed the ribbon cable through the hole in the inside of the case. That way it was pretty much hidden inside the case.

Now you can carefully mount the side panel back on the computer. You might have to drill a new hole for the thumb screw in the back to make it fit properly.

You can now power up the computer, open the screen settings and set it up for dual screens. You might have to flip the display 180 degrees too. When you have done that, open Wallpaper Engine and set a wallpaper of choice!

Hey I have a little question, I also have a Dell 1905FP, but I think it"s an older model because I don"t have a ribbon cable but a normal cable with a plug. My problem is that I have peeled off one film but it still looks like there is a second film on the back because it is still a little blurry. But I"m afraid that if I try to pull them off, my LCD display will break. Maybe you have an idea. Thanks in advance

Really neat. I saw the same snowblind case and wanted it but too expensive. I also saw someone who made their own using a USB monitor. But I like your setup better.2

Terrific job! May I ask why you would need to remove the front polarizer? If my understanding is correct, both the front and back polarizers are needed in order for the LCD to work properly (i.e., the light gets polarized by the back polarizer first, and then passes through the front polarizer)? You comments will be appreciated!

Hey, great work on this project. I wanted to buy the snowbind case but couldn"t justify the cost. I have the same case and I ended up picking up the same monitor that you used in your project.

Is it possible that you post or send me photos of the inside of the case when you have this installed? I"m just a bit confused on how you wired up everything?

I tried taking some photos, but I have covered the screen PCB with a cover, so it was hard to see in the photos. I basically just laid it inside the case with a 90-degree angle. I tried drawing it here: (view from the front)0

I think you should have more pics and info about the re- mounting the LCD. After all if you don"t do it right all that work is for nothing. While I understand your wiring diagram, I think that it should be explained and a larger part of this Instructible...for example to get white lite your are powering all 3 lanes (red,green,blue) on the RGB tape.

Hello, Wonderfull project, I have the same case and I would love to do it (if I have time and the screen to the right size). Just a question, can you put a photo of the cable connection to see if it"s easy to open the case ? One little suggestion, instead of connecting the panel to the graphic card (which mean to run a cable outside, why don"t you use a USB to VGA or DVI converter (like this https://www.amazon.fr/Adaptateur-convertisseur-adaptateur-Affichage-multi-écrans/dp/B079L81FRD/ref=asc_df_B079L81FRD/?tag=googshopfr-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=227894524041&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17927658121409960098&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9055710&hvtargid=pla-442905712462&psc=1) ?

Thanks! So I actually bought one of those adapters, as well as an internal USB 3.0 to USB A port and tried it that way, but I couldn"t get it to work reliably. You might have better luck than I have, but I found it simpler to just run the cable through the case. I just removed one of the PCIE slot covers, and ran it out through there, so opening and closing the case is not a problem.More CommentsPost Comment

Case modding took off in the late 90s, and taught us all that computers could (and should!) look awesome. Much of the aesthetic went mainstream, and now tons of computer cases come with lights and windows and all the rest. [WysWyg_Protogen] realized those simple case windows could be way cooler with a neat LCD hack, and set to work.

The concept is simple. Take an old LCD monitor, remove the backlight and extraneous hardware, and then install it to the window in a computer case. When lit from behind via LEDs in the case, the screen creates a ghostly display through which the computer’s internals can still partially be seen. It’s a really compelling effect, and in theory, quite easy to achieve. All one need do is mount the stripped-down screen to the case and pipe it video from the graphics card.

In practice, it’s a little tricky. Disassembling the screen and removing things like the anti-glare coating can be tough to do without damaging the delicate panel inside. The windows typically used on computer cases can dull the effect, too. However, [WysWyg_Protogen] is continuing to tinker with the project and the results are getting increasingly impressive with each iteration. It doesn’t photograph too well, but it looks truly amazing in motion.

We often forget LCDs are transparent in their basic form, as we generally only use them with backlights or reflective backers. They really do look great when used in this transmissive way, though. Video after the break.

Actually beside myself right now. How does this look this good? This was a trash pile monitor and this looks like a 700 dollar case upgrade pic.twitter.com/4yBXlcY921

You’ve probably already used an LCD screen. As a TV at home, computer monitor or as part of your smartphone, you can find them everywhere. But why pick it as your digital signage display? Cost, tech and your use case are all factors you need to consider. And we’re here to help you break down the essential info. So you can make the right decision for your business.

LCD (liquid crystal display) technology provides the backbone of these displays. Specifically, flat panels made up of two polarized glass panes that sandwich liquid crystal in the middle form the basis of liquid crystal display technology. But what do liquid crystals do exactly?

That’s where all the cool stuff happens. Liquid crystal lies somewhere between something totally fluid and something solid. It behaves like a liquid in terms of how it flows. But it contains molecules that can be oriented just like crystals can. Zap an electric current through the liquid crystals and boom. The crystals shift and either allow light to pass or block light based on how the crystals moved because of the electric current. Therefore, the way the crystals moved to let light pass through them? That’s what creates the image you’ll see on your LCD screen.

However, because liquid crystals can’t generate their own light, each LCD screen requires a light source. So that’s where LEDs step in. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are tiny semiconductors that produce light when electricity flows through them. In LCD screens, these tiny LEDs get used as a backlight behind the glass panes or as an edge-light along the outer edges of the panel. And as a result, liquid crystals get the light they need to create what you see on your LCD screen.

Because of these LCD-LED hybrid techs, you often see LCD displays marketed in many ways. As an LED-backlit or as an LED-edge lit liquid crystal display, depending on how it’s lit. And suddenly all that marketing mumbo jumbo makes sense, doesn’t it?

Sure, knowing all the scientific facts behind the tech used in an LCD screen proves fine and dandy. But what does it all give you? After all, the cool factor just doesn’t cut it when you need to know the pros and cons. Which you absolutely need in order to choose the right digital signage display.

As a matter of fact, choosing this kind of display for your digital signage offers you lots of advantages. Firstly, it’s a very affordable and reliable technology. An LCD screen can similarly be depended upon for enhanced brightness and contrast which you need in order to show off your meticulously created content. And it’s lightweight and thin, which makes it easy to install anywhere.

Most important of all is how an LCD screen affords you a very high resolution at a very affordable price. And especially if your target viewer will get up close to your display, you need that high resolution for your videos, images and text in documents and tickers. You undoubtedly do not want someone to see your TV and remember it because of its blocky, pixelated image instead of all the useful information you’re offering your viewers. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image. And picking an LCD screen means you’ll get to see all the impressive details in your digital signage content reflected on your display.

You can’t have it all. And regardless of all the advantages that an LCD screen offers, there are a few drawbacks. However, the impact of these disadvantages depends on how you’ll want to use it.

Specifically, each LCD screen has a bezel, which is basically a frame around the TV. After all, you’ve got to keep the drivers powering those liquid crystals hidden somehow, right? But what does this mean for you? Well, nothing if you’re just putting up one display in a shop or school. However, if you want to create a complicated video wall? You’ll see those frames between each LCD screen, which is less than ideal for how your video wall will look. Certainly compared to direct-view LED TVs that offer seamless technology, an LCD display won’t be as impressive for your video wall.

Consequently, LCD TVs probably won’t be your first choice for huge installations made up of intricate and impressive video walls. However, now LCD screen manufacturers keep reducing the size of bezels. So you can definitely shop around and see if you can find something that’s almost seamless for your more demanding video wall installations.

Choose an LCD screen for basically any use case where your target viewers will be close to your display. These types of screens offer extremely high resolution images. Which means you can use an LCD screen and know your content looks great up close. Retail stores rely on this technology for end of aisle displays for example.

Got important data dashboards you want to share within the office? A liquid crystal display means your employees can get the info they need in a way that looks great. The best part is that you know you can find one that’s affordable for all these use cases.

You can even use an LCD screen for touchscreen applications. That’s especially important if you’re running a restaurantor school. Or if you want digital signage displays for museums or entertainment complexes, where you want viewers to interact with digital signage content.

Also, you can find these displays in many different sizes and aspect ratios. So you’re not limited in terms of what’s available or possible for your use case. They’re also very hardy, so you can pick one for your outdoor installation.

As has been noted above, if you want to create a video wall where aesthetics are your main priority, then LCD technology might not be right for you because of visible bezels. But even so, if you want your video wall to be more informative than impressive? LCD screens could still do an excellent job.

An LCD screen can offer you affordability, durability, brightness, high contrast and very high resolution. Which means you can show off your digital signage content even from a short distance. A vital requirement in a number of common use cases. Retailers, museums and schools often successfully rely on this type of tech as part of their digital signage strategy.

Planar® CarbonLight™ VX Series is comprised of carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility, available in 1.9 and 2.6mm pixel pitch (wall) and 2.6mm (floor).

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe MicroLED Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. HDR support and superior dynamic range create vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge MicroLED technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior décor.

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. These professional-grade displays provide vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior decor.

From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe MicroLED Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. HDR support and superior dynamic range create vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge MicroLED technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior décor.

Planar® CarbonLight™ VX Series is comprised of carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility, available in 1.9 and 2.6mm pixel pitch (wall) and 2.6mm (floor).

Carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility for various installations including virtual production and extended reality.

a line of extreme and ultra-narrow bezel LCD displays that provides a video wall solution for demanding requirements of 24x7 mission-critical applications and high ambient light environments

Since 1983, Planar display solutions have benefitted countless organizations in every application. Planar displays are usually front and center, dutifully delivering the visual experiences and critical information customers need, with proven technology that is built to withstand the rigors of constant use.

If you"re in the market for portability, or if you are looking to create a Raspberry Pi-friendly computer, a portable 14-inch LCD monitor can be very useful. These monitors are smaller than a full-sized PC monitor but have more screen space than some laptops, which makes them great for mobile computing. Additionally, if you need HD performance, a good 14-inch monitor will look better due to having more pixels in a smaller space.Outside of computing, what else can a 14-inch monitor do?

Since these monitors are so portable and versatile, you can use one of these 14-inch LCD monitors for a wide array of uses. These include:Video monitor: If you want to keep up with your little one"s needs, you can use one of these to take a look into their room from time to time - you"ll just need a camera.

Car entertainment display: Video displays are becoming fairly common in cars, and you can install a 14 monitor like this in the back of a car"s driver or passenger seat so the kids can watch their favorite shows and movies while you are on long car trips.

Security display: These also can work as a 14-inch monitor LCD that links via HDMI to a closed circuit camera monitoring system.How do these small monitor HDMI models stand up?

These mini computer monitors have a few systems that enable them to stand. Some of them have standard computer stands that allow them to be placed on most surfaces, and others have folding "feet" that tuck in when you want to carry these 14-inch LCD monitors from place to place.What are some features that make these monitors portable?

These 14-inch TFT monitors are usually more rugged than standard computer monitors. For example, the screens will be much more impact-resistant than a regular display. Additionally, the chassis itself will resist scratches and the occasional ding. Rather than using a standard DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort connector, many of these products can also be attached to your computing devices through a simple USB connector, which means that there"s a wider range of display options available with a 14-inch LCD monitor that connects this way.

You’ve probably already used an LCD screen. As a TV at home, computer monitor or as part of your smartphone, you can find them everywhere. But why pick it as your digital signage display? Cost, tech and your use case are all factors you need to consider. And we’re here to help you break down the essential info. So you can make the right decision for your business.

LCD (liquid crystal display) technology provides the backbone of these displays. Specifically, flat panels made up of two polarized glass panes that sandwich liquid crystal in the middle form the basis of liquid crystal display technology. But what do liquid crystals do exactly?

That’s where all the cool stuff happens. Liquid crystal lies somewhere between something totally fluid and something solid. It behaves like a liquid in terms of how it flows. But it contains molecules that can be oriented just like crystals can. Zap an electric current through the liquid crystals and boom. The crystals shift and either allow light to pass or block light based on how the crystals moved because of the electric current. Therefore, the way the crystals moved to let light pass through them? That’s what creates the image you’ll see on your LCD screen.

However, because liquid crystals can’t generate their own light, each LCD screen requires a light source. So that’s where LEDs step in. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are tiny semiconductors that produce light when electricity flows through them. In LCD screens, these tiny LEDs get used as a backlight behind the glass panes or as an edge-light along the outer edges of the panel. And as a result, liquid crystals get the light they need to create what you see on your LCD screen.

Because of these LCD-LED hybrid techs, you often see LCD displays marketed in many ways. As an LED-backlit or as an LED-edge lit liquid crystal display, depending on how it’s lit. And suddenly all that marketing mumbo jumbo makes sense, doesn’t it?

Sure, knowing all the scientific facts behind the tech used in an LCD screen proves fine and dandy. But what does it all give you? After all, the cool factor just doesn’t cut it when you need to know the pros and cons. Which you absolutely need in order to choose the right digital signage display.

As a matter of fact, choosing this kind of display for your digital signage offers you lots of advantages. Firstly, it’s a very affordable and reliable technology. An LCD screen can similarly be depended upon for enhanced brightness and contrast which you need in order to show off your meticulously created content. And it’s lightweight and thin, which makes it easy to install anywhere.

Most important of all is how an LCD screen affords you a very high resolution at a very affordable price. And especially if your target viewer will get up close to your display, you need that high resolution for your videos, images and text in documents and tickers. You undoubtedly do not want someone to see your TV and remember it because of its blocky, pixelated image instead of all the useful information you’re offering your viewers. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image. And picking an LCD screen means you’ll get to see all the impressive details in your digital signage content reflected on your display.

You can’t have it all. And regardless of all the advantages that an LCD screen offers, there are a few drawbacks. However, the impact of these disadvantages depends on how you’ll want to use it.

Specifically, each LCD screen has a bezel, which is basically a frame around the TV. After all, you’ve got to keep the drivers powering those liquid crystals hidden somehow, right? But what does this mean for you? Well, nothing if you’re just putting up one display in a shop or school. However, if you want to create a complicated video wall? You’ll see those frames between each LCD screen, which is less than ideal for how your video wall will look. Certainly compared to direct-view LED TVs that offer seamless technology, an LCD display won’t be as impressive for your video wall.

Consequently, LCD TVs probably won’t be your first choice for huge installations made up of intricate and impressive video walls. However, now LCD screen manufacturers keep reducing the size of bezels. So you can definitely shop around and see if you can find something that’s almost seamless for your more demanding video wall installations.

Choose an LCD screen for basically any use case where your target viewers will be close to your display. These types of screens offer extremely high resolution images. Which means you can use an LCD screen and know your content looks great up close. Retail stores rely on this technology for end of aisle displays for example.

Got important data dashboards you want to share within the office? A liquid crystal display means your employees can get the info they need in a way that looks great. The best part is that you know you can find one that’s affordable for all these use cases.

You can even use an LCD screen for touchscreen applications. That’s especially important if you’re running a restaurantor school. Or if you want digital signage displays for museums or entertainment complexes, where you want viewers to interact with digital signage content.

Also, you can find these displays in many different sizes and aspect ratios. So you’re not limited in terms of what’s available or possible for your use case. They’re also very hardy, so you can pick one for your outdoor installation.

As has been noted above, if you want to create a video wall where aesthetics are your main priority, then LCD technology might not be right for you because of visible bezels. But even so, if you want your video wall to be more informative than impressive? LCD screens could still do an excellent job.

An LCD screen can offer you affordability, durability, brightness, high contrast and very high resolution. Which means you can show off your digital signage content even from a short distance. A vital requirement in a number of common use cases. Retailers, museums and schools often successfully rely on this type of tech as part of their digital signage strategy.

When it is playing video content such as a DVD, the operating system has to synchronize playback with the display redraw rate. The video frame is updated during the vertical blanking interval so that the complete, correct frame will be displayed without any tearing every time that the video card refreshes the monitor.

When windows synchronizes DVD playback with the monitor refresh rate, it synchronizes with the timing of the primary monitor. This is determined by the video driver. Some video hardware supports multiple monitors but does not synchronize the display redraw timing of the two monitors. Even though the two monitors are configured for the same refresh rate (for example, 60 Hz), the second monitor may not be refreshed at the same time. In this case, there may be unavoidable tearing on the second monitor.Resolution

If the computer system meets the hardware and software requirements to run Windows Aero, you may be able to reduce or eliminate the problem by enabling Aero. Otherwise, set the display to PC Only or Extended. For more information about Aero, go to the following Microsoft website:

If your computer does not meet the requirements for Aero, set the display to PC Only or Extended. For information about how to change this setting, go to the following Microsoft website:

If you experience noticeable cut lines or tearing, and not only when you play a DVD movie, the display may be configured to a refresh rate that one of your monitors does not support. If this is the case, you can resolve the issue by configuring the display to a refresh rate that is supported by all monitors.

For screen sizes (typically in inches, measured on the diagonal), see Display size. For a list of particular display resolutions, see Graphics display resolution.

This chart shows the most common display resolutions, with the color of each resolution type indicating the display ratio (e.g. red indicates a 4:3 ratio).

The display resolution or display modes of a digital television, computer monitor or display device is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. It can be an ambiguous term especially as the displayed resolution is controlled by different factors in cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, flat-panel displays (including liquid-crystal displays) and projection displays using fixed picture-element (pixel) arrays.

One use of the term display resolution applies to fixed-pixel-array displays such as plasma display panels (PDP), liquid-crystal displays (LCD), Digital Light Processing (DLP) projectors, OLED displays, and similar technologies, and is simply the physical number of columns and rows of pixels creating the display (e.g. 1920 × 1080). A consequence of having a fixed-grid display is that, for multi-format video inputs, all displays need a "scaling engine" (a digital video processor that includes a memory array) to match the incoming picture format to the display.

For device displays such as phones, tablets, monitors and televisions, the use of the term display resolution as defined above is a misnomer, though common. The term display resolution is usually used to mean pixel dimensions, the maximum number of pixels in each dimension (e.g. 1920 × 1080), which does not tell anything about the pixel density of the display on which the image is actually formed: resolution properly refers to the pixel density, the number of pixels per unit distance or area, not the total number of pixels. In digital measurement, the display resolution would be given in pixels per inch (PPI). In analog measurement, if the screen is 10 inches high, then the horizontal resolution is measured across a square 10 inches wide.NTSC TVs can typically display about 340 lines of "per picture height" horizontal resolution from over-the-air sources, which is equivalent to about 440 total lines of actual picture information from left edge to right edge.

Some commentators also use display resolution to indicate a range of input formats that the display"s input electronics will accept and often include formats greater than the screen"s native grid size even though they have to be down-scaled to match the screen"s parameters (e.g. accepting a 1920 × 1080 input on a display with a native 1366 × 768 pixel array). In the case of television inputs, many manufacturers will take the input and zoom it out to "overscan" the display by as much as 5% so input resolution is not necessarily display resolution.

The eye"s perception of display resolution can be affected by a number of factors – see image resolution and optical resolution. One factor is the display screen"s rectangular shape, which is expressed as the ratio of the physical picture width to the physical picture height. This is known as the aspect ratio. A screen"s physical aspect ratio and the individual pixels" aspect ratio may not necessarily be the same. An array of 1280 × 720 on a 16:9 display has square pixels, but an array of 1024 × 768 on a 16:9 display has oblong pixels.

An example of pixel shape affecting "resolution" or perceived sharpness: displaying more information in a smaller area using a higher resolution makes the image much clearer or "sharper". However, most recent screen technologies are fixed at a certain resolution; making the resolution lower on these kinds of screens will greatly decrease sharpness, as an interpolation process is used to "fix" the non-native resolution input into the display"s native resolution output.

While some CRT-based displays may use digital video processing that involves image scaling using memory arrays, ultimately "display resolution" in CRT-type displays is affected by different parameters such as spot size and focus, astigmatic effects in the display corners, the color phosphor pitch shadow mask (such as Trinitron) in color displays, and the video bandwidth.

Most television display manufacturers "overscan" the pictures on their displays (CRTs and PDPs, LCDs etc.), so that the effective on-screen picture may be reduced from 720 × 576 (480) to 680 × 550 (450), for example. The size of the invisible area somewhat depends on the display device. Some HD televisions do this as well, to a similar extent.

Computer displays including projectors generally do not overscan although many models (particularly CRT displays) allow it. CRT displays tend to be underscanned in stock configurations, to compensate for the increasing distortions at the corners.

Interlaced video (also known as interlaced scan) is a technique for doubling the perceived frame rate of a video display without consuming extra bandwidth. The interlaced signal contains two fields of a video frame captured consecutively. This enhances motion perception to the viewer, and reduces flicker by taking advantage of the phi phenomenon.

Progressive scanning (alternatively referred to as noninterlaced scanning) is a format of displaying, storing, or transmitting moving images in which all the lines of each frame are drawn in sequence. This is in contrast to interlaced video used in traditional analog television systems where only the odd lines, then the even lines of each frame (each image called a video field) are drawn alternately, so that only half the number of actual image frames are used to produce video.

Many personal computers introduced in the late 1970s and the 1980s were designed to use television receivers as their display devices, making the resolutions dependent on the television standards in use, including PAL and NTSC. Picture sizes were usually limited to ensure the visibility of all the pixels in the major television standards and the broad range of television sets with varying amounts of over scan. The actual drawable picture area was, therefore, somewhat smaller than the whole screen, and was usually surrounded by a static-colored border (see image to right). Also, the interlace scanning was usually omitted in order to provide more stability to the picture, effectively halving the vertical resolution in progress. 160 × 200, 320 × 200 and 640 × 200 on NTSC were relatively common resolutions in the era (224, 240 or 256 scanlines were also common). In the IBM PC world, these resolutions came to be used by 16-color EGA video cards.

One of the drawbacks of using a classic television is that the computer display resolution is higher than the television could decode. Chroma resolution for NTSC/PAL televisions are bandwidth-limited to a maximum 1.5MHz, or approximately 160 pixels wide, which led to blurring of the color for 320- or 640-wide signals, and made text difficult to read (see example image below). Many users upgraded to higher-quality televisions with S-Video or RGBI inputs that helped eliminate chroma blur and produce more legible displays. The earliest, lowest cost solution to the chroma problem was offered in the Atari 2600 Video Computer System and the Apple II+, both of which offered the option to disable the color and view a legacy black-and-white signal. On the Commodore 64, the GEOS mirrored the Mac OS method of using black-and-white to improve readability.

The 640 × 400i resolution (720 × 480i with borders disabled) was first introduced by home computers such as the Commodore Amiga and, later, Atari Falcon. These computers used interlace to boost the maximum vertical resolution. These modes were only suited to graphics or gaming, as the flickering interlace made reading text in word processor, database, or spreadsheet software difficult. (Modern game consoles solve this problem by pre-filtering the 480i video to a lower resolution. For example, Final Fantasy XII suffers from flicker when the filter is turned off, but stabilizes once filtering is restored. The computers of the 1980s lacked sufficient power to run similar filtering software.)

The advantage of a 720 × 480i overscanned computer was an easy interface with interlaced TV production, leading to the development of Newtek"s Video Toaster. This device allowed Amigas to be used for CGI creation in various news departments (example: weather overlays), drama programs such as NBC"s

In 2002, 1024 × 768 eXtended Graphics Array was the most common display resolution. Many web sites and multimedia products were re-designed from the previous 800 × 600 format to the layouts optimized for 1024 × 768.

The availability of inexpensive LCD monitors made the 5∶4 aspect ratio resolution of 1280 × 1024 more popular for desktop usage during the first decade of the 21st century. Many computer users including CAD users, graphic artists and video game players ran their computers at 1600 × 1200 resolution (UXGA) or higher such as 2048 × 1536 QXGA if they had the necessary equipment. Other available resolutions included oversize aspects like 1400 × 1050 SXGA+ and wide aspects like 1280 × 800 WXGA, 1440 × 900 WXGA+, 1680 × 1050 WSXGA+, and 1920 × 1200 WUXGA; monitors built to the 720p and 1080p standard were also not unusual among home media and video game players, due to the perfect screen compatibility with movie and video game releases. A new more-than-HD resolution of 2560 × 1600 WQXGA was released in 30-inch LCD monitors in 2007.

In 2010, 27-inch LCD monitors with the 2560 × 1440 resolution were released by multiple manufacturers, and in 2012, Apple introduced a 2880 × 1800 display on the MacBook Pro. Panels for professional environments, such as medical use and air traffic control, support resolutions up to 4096 × 21602048 × 2048 pixels).

The following table lists the usage share of display resolutions from two sources, as of June 2020. The numbers are not representative of computer users in general.

In recent years the 16:9 aspect ratio has become more common in notebook displays. 1366 × 768 (HD) has become popular for most low-cost notebooks, while 1920 × 1080 (FHD) and higher resolutions are available for more premium notebooks.

When a computer display resolution is set higher than the physical screen resolution (native resolution), some video drivers make the virtual screen scrollable over the physical screen thus realizing a two dimensional virtual desktop with its viewport. Most LCD manufacturers do make note of the panel"s native resolution as working in a non-native resolution on LCDs will result in a poorer image, due to dropping of pixels to make the image fit (when using DVI) or insufficient sampling of the analog signal (when using VGA connector). Few CRT manufacturers will quote the true native resolution, because CRTs are analog in nature and can vary their display from as low as 320 × 200 (emulation of older computers or game consoles) to as high as the internal board will allow, or the image becomes too detailed for the vacuum tube to recreate (i.e., analog blur). Thus, CRTs provide a variability in resolution that fixed resolution LCDs cannot provide.