[Ham-Computers] Analog vs Digital Flat Panel Displays - What's the Difference?

[Jim Hill]

I've never used anything but a CRT display, and currently use a 19" Dell 
M991. Since I'm retired, I've never used a flat panel display except for an 
casual view from time to time.  I'm planning on purchasing a new Dell 
computer in the near future, and have decided to go to a flat panel. Their 
small footprint would be very handy, prices are reasonable, and CRT's seem 
to be on their way out.

Dell has two main choices - analog and digital, with digital considerably 
more expensive. What are the relative merits?  Presumably, digital has a 
better "picture"; is that improvement mostly for photos, or does it help 
with schematics, etc., available on the web.

When a FP is listed as a 17", does that mean a display with a 17" diagonal 
measurement?  The diagonal CRT measurement on my 19" Dell is about 17 7/8", 
so I guess I would lose about an inch dropping from a 19" CRT to a 17" flat 
panel.

Thanks Jim