Flat-screen monitors are currently too expensive for most people to consider.

The main users of these monitors, known as TFT (thin film transistor) screens, are the large corporations.

Prices are falling really slowly and demand is massive.

But many high-flyers in the business world, fighting to install TFT screens in their workplaces, would not have them in their homes at any price.

Essentially, flat-panel displays offer excellent focus and sufficient color quality for standard office applications such as word processing and spreadsheet calculations.

TFTs also have a lot to offer in terms of ergonomics: less desktop space required, a third of the power consumption of standard tube monitors and considerably lower emission values.

The downside is that TFT screens offer a restricted viewing angle that many users find wholly unacceptable.

When you view a TFT display from the side, you will quickly notice a dramatic loss of screen brightness and a characteristic change of displayed colours.

Older flat-panel displays typically have a viewing angle of 90 degrees, i.e. 45 degrees to each side. This is particularly noticeable when you try to share a flat-screen with someone. One of you definitely will not get the full picture.

In addition to the viewing angle problem, TFT technology simply cannot cope with the demands of today's game-playing power users.

Large-scale scenery changes, commonplace in video games, demand performance that is just too much for today's slow liquid crystals. Slow response times result in distorted or streaked images.

A classic example of streak distortion can be seen when a space ship flies through a city in an action game.

Two important developments are happening right now. First, panel manufacturers are working to improve the viewing angle.

Second, manufacturers are concentrating their research efforts towards digital control that will sort out most of the speed problems.

Even if the technological difficulties are overcome, flat-panel displays will only find their way into the home if prices fall and quality/availability improves.

Before any great changes can happen, there are a number of important things that need to be implemented.

It is critical that:

Prices are at the same level as, or less than, CRTs (cathode ray tube displays).

A minimum size of 15inches with a resolution of 1,024 by 768 pixels is established.

Interfaces are standardised.

Functional compatibility is available for all applications, including games.

Prices currently range between twice to three times those of CRTs. This means that an 18.1innch TFT monitor (corresponding to a 21inch tube display) costs between £2,800 and £3,500. Smaller unit prices are considerably cheaper as the manufacturing process for these units is far more efficient, so 15inch panels currently cost around £600.

If manufacturers had substantially more financial support from investors, 15inch TFT panels would probably cost less than £100 and the CRT manufacturers would be struggling.

So, in theory, flat-panel displays could cost less than CRTs. But would you really want one?