Color monitors are ideal for computer graphics and for displaying business charts and graphs. Until recently, they didn't have good enough resolution to display text, so people who wanted a computer to do both text and graphics had to get two monitors or settle for monochrome graphics. Today you can get color monitors capable of displaying both graphics and clear text.

Color monitors come in two varieties: RGB (Red Green Blue) and NTSC (National Television Standards Committee). NTSC monitors are less expensive than RGB monitors, and the quality of the display reflects the difference in price. If you use color applications regularly or for important presentations, it's probably worth investing in an RGB monitor.

RGB monitors can display color text clearly. NTSC monitors usually switch into black-and-white mode for displaying text. (If they didn't, you'd see a color fringe around the characters.)


Important

There are two kinds of RGB monitors: analog and digital. The Apple IIGS supports analog RGB monitors. RGB color monitors designed to be connected to the AUX. CONNECTOR slot in the Apple IIe are digital RGB monitors and cannot be connected to the RGB port on the Apple IIGS. Be sure the monitor you get is compatible with the Apple IIGS.



Using a television set as a display device

You can use a standard television set (with a device called an RF modulator) as a display device for the Apple IIGS, but you're limited to a 40-column display. While 40 characters per line is fine for some applications (games and educational applications), most people find it restrictive for business letters or electronic spreadsheets. And many business applications require an 80-column display.

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Monitors

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