Each printer can print on different types of paper and materials, such as envelopes, labels, photo paper, transparencies and iron-on transfers. Make sure the printer you choose can print on the type of paper and materials you plan to use.

Manufacturers often advertise the diagonal measurement of the picture tube inside a CRT monitor, which is one to two inches larger than the viewing area. Make sure you are aware of the size of the viewing area before purchasing a CRT monitor. LCD monitors always indicate the size of the viewing area.

The resolution is the number of horizontal and vertical dots, called pixels, displayed on a screen. The most commonly used resolutions are 1,024 x 768, which is also known as XGA (Extended Graphics Array), and 1,280 x 1,024, which is also known as SXGA (Super XGA).