For the lowest power consumption, which flat-panel display type should be selected?

The selection of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display for the lowest power consumption is due to its unique technology. OLED displays consist of organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied. This means that each pixel can turn on or off individually. Consequently, OLED displays consume less power, especially when displaying darker images or black, as the pixels in those areas are completely turned off, leading to minimal energy usage.

In contrast, other display types like LED and LCD use a backlight that remains illuminated regardless of the image being displayed, which can lead to higher power consumption, particularly for brighter images. Plasma displays, while able to produce vibrant colors, generally require more energy compared to OLED because they work by illuminating gas to produce images, which is inherently more power-intensive under typical usage conditions.

Therefore, for applications concerned with energy efficiency and minimizing power consumption, OLED displays stand out as the optimal choice.