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220-1201 Practice Question: A field technician frequently uses a ruggedized…
A field technician frequently uses a ruggedized tablet outdoors for data collection. They complain that the screen is hard to read in direct sunlight. Which accessory would best improve screen visibility without adding significant bulk?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between privacy filters and anti-glare protectors, as candidates may confuse their functions since both are screen overlays, but privacy filters reduce viewing angles while anti-glare filters reduce reflections.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An anti-glare screen protector
An anti-glare screen protector uses a matte finish with microscopic ridges that diffuse reflected light, reducing glare and improving contrast in bright environments. This directly addresses the technician's issue of poor readability in direct sunlight without adding significant bulk to the ruggedized tablet.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A privacy filter
Why it's wrong here
A privacy filter is designed to restrict the viewing angle of a screen, making it visible only to someone directly in front of it, primarily for security. However, this technology inherently dims the display significantly by reducing the amount of light transmitted to the viewer. In bright outdoor conditions, this reduction in perceived brightness exacerbates visibility issues, making the screen even harder to read due to insufficient luminosity to overcome ambient light.
- ✓
An anti-glare screen protector
Why this is correct
An anti-glare screen protector is specifically engineered with a matte finish or microscopic texture that diffuses ambient light reflecting off the screen's surface. This diffusion scatters incoming light, preventing the formation of concentrated, mirror-like reflections that cause glare and obscure the display. By effectively minimizing direct reflections, the screen's content becomes substantially more discernible and readable in bright outdoor environments, directly addressing the technician's need for improved visibility.
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A portable external monitor
Why it's wrong here
A portable external monitor introduces considerable additional bulk and weight to a field technician's equipment, making the setup cumbersome and impractical for mobile use. Furthermore, an external monitor would likely suffer from the same glare and reflection issues as the tablet's integrated screen unless it also featured an anti-glare coating. Therefore, it does not directly solve the problem of screen visibility in sunlight for the primary device and adds significant logistical challenges.
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An external battery pack
Why it's wrong here
An external battery pack is designed to extend the operational duration of a tablet by providing additional power capacity, which is crucial for prolonged field use without access to charging. However, its function is purely related to power management and energy supply. It has no direct impact on the optical properties of the screen, nor does it affect its ability to combat glare, reflections, or improve overall visibility in bright sunlight.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.