Answering that question through scientific study can strengthen a product's chances in the marketplace.

Compaq Computer Corporation's Human Factors group sought to determine user performance and preference differences between a 15", 17", 19" and 21" monitor through a series of studies, per the request of an internal marketing group. The multiphase study to date has encompassed three studies. Performance data was collected on all tasks via task time on each monitor and preference measures were collected by means of various nine-point bipolar scales. A total of 23 intermediate to advanced computer users, recruited via external market research firms, participated in Study 1. Users completed a Word search task, an Excel search task, a Excel/Word Multitask and a Web browsing task. Statistical analyses of Study 1 data showed that users required significantly less time to perform the Excel search task and the Excel/Word Multitask on the 21" monitor than that of the 15", 17" and 19" monitors. Users rated and ranked the 19" monitor significantly over the 21", 17" and 15" monitor respectively. During Study 1, users' complaints regarding the high resolution settings and Human Factors' concern that this effected performance and preference data, prompted the initiation of a resolution setting optimization study based upon user preferences. Resolution settings were implemented in Study 2, which included twenty-seven users from three vertical markets. Users completed a Word search task, Excel search task, Excel/Word Multitask, Power Point create task and a Web/Word Multitask. Statistical analyses indicated that users' performance time was significantly less on the 19" and 21" monitors than the 15" and 17" monitors for the Excel and Excel/Word tasks. Users preferred the 19" monitor significantly over the 21", 17" and 15" respectively. A search vs. create dichotomy surfaced from the replicated results of Study 1 and Study 2 and suggests that monitor size has an effect upon tasks that involve the searching of large amounts of data vs. create tasks. The search vs. create dichotomy will be further investigated in future studies.