Article by Mike Gevorkian of Cross Loader

TFT stands for Thin Film Transistor and are often used in more modern monitors and lap top displays. Also known as LCD or flat screen monitors, they use two plates of glass between which a film of liquid crystal is placed. Invented in the 1980s, this crystal refracts the light passing through them depending on the electrical charge it is experiencing. By changing the voltage running through the crystal, pretty much any color can be produced. This is a many separate small transistors that control a small space of crystal called a pixel. These transistors can be changed very rapidly to form moving pictures on the screen.

A benefit from switching from the older monitors, Cathode Ray Tubes, to TFT screens are increased desk space. The flatter TFT monitors take up about 20% less desk space than the CRTs, while still increasing the size of your screen. TFT monitors also have much less geometric distortions around the edge of the screen and more pixels. This means that they can off a much sharper picture quality that the CRTs. This sharper picture is combined with a flicker free display that reduced the strain looking at the monitor for long periods of time puts on the eyes. Many of the newer TFTs also do not have a hard plate glass front screen, reducing any glare that can also strain the eyes. Finally, TFTs are about 80 percent more energy efficient that the CRTs, generating much less heat. If you spend a lot of time in front of a CRT monitor it is highly recommended that you consider switching to a newer TFT.