220-1101 Question 180
Single answerTwisted nematic (TN)A small business is replacing several aging desktop monitors used at a reception desk. The staff primarily works with text-based applications, and management wants the lowest-cost displays possible. After installation, one employee complains that the screen looks washed out and the colors shift when viewed from the side while standing. The technician confirms the monitors are functioning normally and match the purchase order. Which display panel type was most likely installed?
- A
Twisted nematic (TN)
- B
In-plane switching (IPS)
- C
Vertical alignment (VA)
- D
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is Twisted nematic (TN). For A+ Core 1, candidates should recognize common display technologies and apply them to workplace scenarios. TN panels are often associated with lower purchase cost and fast response times, but they trade off color accuracy and viewing angles. In practical support situations, users may interpret these normal TN characteristics as a fault, especially if they compare them with IPS panels on nearby systems. By contrast, IPS is known for better color consistency and wider viewing angles, VA is more associated with stronger contrast, and OLED is typically a premium technology. CompTIA A+ objectives covering display technologies expect technicians to identify these real-world differences when selecting or troubleshooting monitors.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Twisted nematic (TN) panels are commonly chosen for lower cost and are known for narrower viewing angles and weaker color reproduction compared with IPS. In a real deployment, a TN monitor may appear acceptable when viewed straight on, but colors and contrast can shift noticeably when viewed from the side or from above, which matches the scenario.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. IPS panels are generally selected when wide viewing angles and more accurate color reproduction are important. If IPS monitors had been installed, the user would be less likely to report major color shifting when standing to the side. A candidate might choose this option because IPS is common in business displays, but it does not fit the described symptoms.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. VA panels typically offer better contrast than TN and usually do not have the same reputation for the weakest color performance among common LCD panel types. While VA can have some viewing-angle limitations, the combination of lowest-cost purchasing and strong side-angle color shifting is more characteristic of TN.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. OLED displays are not the most likely choice in a cost-sensitive office reception deployment because they are generally more expensive. They are also known for excellent contrast and strong image quality rather than the washed-out appearance and side-angle color shift described here.