We put ten of the best 17in and 18in TFTs through our demanding Labs tests to help you make the move to a thinner monitor.

The demise of the cathode ray tube has been much discussed. So-called experts declared the CRT a dying breed over ten years ago, but only now is that prediction starting to come true. CRTs don't have the turnover of TFTs, so you'll often see models gracing shelves for half a year or more. TFTs, on the other hand, are being released left, right and centre as technologies improve and prices drop.

Be warned, however, that the prices for TFTs change dramatically. Unlike CRT monitor makers, TFT manufacturers can't just ramp up output to match demand. There are only a certain amount of panels that can be yielded by any one factory. If all the manufacturers' stock levels become low, costs will rise and these will subsequently be passed onto you.

Fortunately, the current situation is more stable than it has been in the past, so if prices rise from those stated in the review the difference should only be around $100 – in the past, we've seen prices leap $400 in a day.

Even if prices do rise, we simply can't deny the appeal of these monitors. A flat, compact TFT is generally far more preferable to a CRT, especially if it's connected to the graphics card by a DVI (digital video interface) cable – issues like interference, due to the TFT trying to lock onto the signal, become a thing of the past,  just like geometry and focus.

A digital connection doesn't guarantee a great image, though, which is why we rigorously tested each TFT for its colour handling and performance using real-world tests. For example, how well does it handle games and how good are its viewing angles? See how we tested the screens on page 82.

To find out which screen offers the best combination of image quality, features and value for your needs, read on.

TECHNICAL EDITOR Darren Ellis
CONTRIBUTORS Tim Danton, Gareth Ogden, Alyn Sparkes and Paul Trotter