My computer only had a 17" monitor, but it was fine for my needs. It displayed text and simple graphics well, and let me surf the internet just fine.

It also fit well on my desk, and didn't take up too much room. I remember the days when computer monitors were twelve inches and resolution was only 400 by 600 lines. Forgive me for sounding like an old timer, but sometimes just enough is plenty.

At least that is what i thought until I saw the new computer monitor models.

The 19" monitor may only be 2 inches bigger than the 17" monitor, but boy those two inches make a difference. If I have friends over to watch a movie or something like that, its so much nicer. I've been comparison shopping and looking for a while, but I'm not sure. I think the flat screen models are the best. They don't have the glare of the others, and they look good. Besides that, they have a low profile and fit slimly on the desk. The downside is that they are more expensive. And anyway, I'm sort of used to what I have.

My computer itself is pretty old, and I've been thinking of getting an upgrade.

Beside the 17" monitor, I don't have a graphics accelerator or a good sound card. The graphics card is so important for gaming. I know that games are a big time suck, but well, I can't resits. But I haven't been able to play doom 3 because my computer won't support it. As for Warcraft 3 or diablo – forget it. Just not going to happen.

The sound card I need for music. Not to listen to it – any sound card will play music.

But to record music its good to have an expensive external sound card. You can do multiple track recording straight into the card, balance tracks, apply a lot of nifty affects, and do it all much cleaner. Its just all around more convenient for sure. But its not just a sound card I need. If I'm going to be making music on my computer, I'd like to be able to at least listen to it cleanly, but my little included dell computer speakers, while making clean sound, they've got no body. Completely flat. So, I guess you need everything you'd need for any home stereo.

A reciever, a pre-amp, a tuner, and of course, great speakers. But one at a time. For now, I'm going to focus on upgrading my 17" monitor.