• Choose the Right Type of Monitor

• Understand Monitor Features

• Get the Monitor Accessories You Need

• Find Monitors on eBay

• Buy Monitors With Confidence

Choose the Right Type of Monitor

Choose the Right Type of Monitor

Thinking about how you use your computer will help you choose a monitor that is right for you.

Liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors

Thin, energy-efficient flat-panel LCD monitors take up less space and are brighter than CRT monitors. You’ll also get a larger viewing area with an LCD monitor than you will with a comparably-sized CRT monitor. For example, a 15-inch LCD monitor will give you the same viewing area as a 17-inch CRT monitor. Although LCD monitors have a higher list price than CRT monitors, they weigh less, which means they usually cost less to ship.

Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors

Deep, sturdy CRT monitors produce rich, deep colors favored by many graphic artists and video editors. They also update quickly when displaying fast-moving action, making them the monitor of choice for serious video gamers. You can find flat-screen CRT monitors as well as older curved-screen models on eBay. When shopping, consider models with a refresh rate of 75 Hertz or higher. The screens on these models flicker less than others, which can help reduce eyestrain.

Understand Monitor Features

Understand Monitor Features

Sellers typically provide a list of monitor features and specifications in their listings. Here are some of the basics to keep in mind when shopping on eBay.

• Monitor screen size: Get the largest monitor you can afford. A larger screen size makes it easier to read text and fit more information on your screen at one time. Manufacturers measure screen size in inches, measuring diagonally across the screen. When you read an item listing, look for information about overall screen size, including the bezel (casing) measurement, along with information about the actual viewable area of the screen. You can find 15-inch monitors, 17-inch monitors, 19-inch monitors, and 20-inch & larger monitors.

• Monitor resolution: Resolution, the crispness of a monitor's image, is measured in pixels per inch (ppi) or dots per inch (dpi). You'll see a horizontal and vertical measurement, with higher numbers offering greater detail. Most people use a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution for everyday work. CRT monitors can display multiple resolutions; LCDs are optimized for only one. Compare LCDs at their “native resolution,” which indicates the optimal setting.

• Monitor dot pitch: Dot pitch measures the distance in millimeters between two dots on your monitor screen. Like screen size, it is usually measured on the diagonal. For the sharpest picture, look for the lowest number. If you are looking at CRT monitors that use aperture grilles instead of shadow masks, look at horizontal “stripe pitch” measurements.

• Monitor adjustment options: If you spend a lot of your time at your computer, adjustment options can help minimize neck pain, back pain, and eyestrain. Ideally, your monitor should be set directly at eye-level. You might also be able to use panel tilt to tilt your screen back and forth to adjust to different lighting conditions and reduce glare. With some LCD monitors, you can rotate the screen for vertical or horizontal viewing. This can be a good option if you do a lot of desktop publishing.

• Monitor connectivity: Connect your LCD monitor to your computer over a digital visual interface (DVI) connection to produce the highest-quality images. Your graphics card must support DVI. You can also use analog signal processing. CRT monitors plug into your computer's existing analog monitor port.

• Monitor controls: Tuning controls let you adjust your monitor’s contrast, brightness, horizontal and vertical alignment, and more. You may make adjustments via an on-screen menu or with buttons on the monitor’s face.

• USB ports: Some monitors have additional USB ports to connect devices like digital cameras to your computer.

• Multimedia features: A/V inputs let you connect external audio and video sources, such as a camcorder. You might also find monitors with built-in TV tuners or picture-in-picture capabilities.

• Speakers: Built-in speakers allow you to listen to music.

Get the Monitor Accessories You Need

Get the Monitor Accessories You Need

Shop for all your monitor accessories on eBay.

• Monitor arms & mounts: Designed for LCD monitors, monitor arms let you extend and adjust your LCD monitor on your desk. You can also use monitor mounts to hang your LCD on the wall.

• Monitor stands & risers: Adjust the height of your monitor and get some extra storage space with a monitor stand and monitor riser.

• Monitor cables: You’ll need the right cables to connect your monitor to your computer.

• Screen glare filters: Save your eyes and make your screen easier to see with a glare filter.

• KVM switches: Have multiple computers? Use a KVM switch to make sharing your keyboard, monitor, and mouse a cinch.

• Screen cleaning kits: Regular cleansers can be too harsh for computer monitors. Don’t risk damage—buy a screen cleaning kit designed for your monitor.

Find Monitors on eBay

Find Monitors on eBay

Once you know what type of monitor you want, go to the Computers & Networking portal, click Monitors & Projectors, and start searching for item listings on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for CRT, Standard Monitors, LCD, Flat Panel Monitors, Monitor Accessories, and more. As you dig deeper into the site you'll also be able to narrow down your choice by screen size.

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a 19-inch flat-panel LCD monitor, type "LCD 19-inch” (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Monitors With Confidence

Buy Monitors With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $2,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.