TN stands for twisted nematic. This is a type of LED (a form of LCD) panel display technology. TN panels are characterized as being the fastest and cheapest among the other main types of display panels, VA (vertical alignment)and IPS (in-plane switching). As such, they work great for gaming monitors and gaming laptops. However, TN panels also offer the worst viewing angles and color when compared to VA and IPS panels.
You can see how TN panels work in the photo above:
Vertical filter film polarizes light as it enters.
Glass substrate useS electrodes. The electrodes' shapes decide which dark shapes will display when the monitor is on. Vertical ridges are carved onto the surface, so liquid crystals line up with the polarized light.
Twisted nematic liquid crystals.
Glass substrate with common electrode film uses horizontal ridges to allign with the horizontal filter.
A horizontal filTer film blocks or allows light to pass through.
Scharon Harding has over a decade of experience reporting on technology with a special affinity for gaming peripherals (especially monitors), laptops, and virtual reality. Previously, she covered business technology, including hardware, software, cyber security, cloud, and other IT happenings, at Channelnomics, with bylines at CRN UK.
