CRTs are still supported in Windows and macOS for a nostalgic experience using VGA or adapters.

CRTs are easier on the eyes with a softer glow compared to modern panels.

Despite worse color and brightness, CRTs display SD content like music videos with an amazing aesthetic appeal.

I had the opportunity to pick up a nice little 17-inch Samsung SyncMaster CRT monitor a while ago, which I bought specifically for retro gaming—which worked out pretty well. Then, I got the idea to relive my college years and actually do some work on the little tube.

I literally last worked on a screen like this in my first year of university, so spending a day back in the year 2006 seemed like a fun way to pass the time, and you know what? It wasn't bad at all.

The first thing that really surprised me is that neither Windows 11 nor the latest version macOS had any issues providing the right signal to my CRT. Of course, none of my computers have a proper analogue VGA output anymore, but even using a USB-C to VGA adapter, everything worked correctly out of the box.

This particular monitor, which happens to be the same model I was using before my first LCD, supports a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024. That's quite usable even on modern systems, but unfortunately the monitor only supports this at a refresh rate of 60Hz. That's fine on an LCD flat panel, but on a CRT I'm one of those people that can see a distinct dimming and flicker at that refresh rate. So I had to settle for the much more cramped 1024x768 resolution, at a bright and flicker-free 85Hz.