Latitude E6400 Owner's Lounge

Doing a size comparison of the Start menu button (as it's easier) on my 17inch CRT 1280x1024, it's close in size. I guess it depends on preference. Like for example people prefer a 19inch display with 1280x1024 rather than a 17inch.

Very little applications doesn't support changing DPI, mostly Flash based applications (online/offline). So I'll be surprised that you will touch an application that causes issue. Try it out, and see. If you don't like it then return your machine and get it with 1280x800. You should be comfortable on your machine. That is the most important thing, then it would be work area for what you do. For me 1280x1024 (and especially 1280x800) is WAY to small for what I do. I feel like having a work desk no bigger than the laptop size itself. Really hard to multi-task with large real estate demanding applications or have the ability to have 2 document side-by-side, which is crucial for me in taking notes in class. That is my opinion and preference, however like I say, you must be comfortable.

A little bluish or pinkish on blacks should be fine for LCD monitors on business class laptops. As long as it doesn't alter colors the screen is fine. If it's on white, it could be outputting the "correct" white and you just got used to a faulty warm white. Only screen calibration can tell. If it's too blue, like bluish white then something is wrong.

That would be a different thread.
Read this documentation in selecting the correct display technology for you:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/monitors/display/lcd-guide.html

I say if you have the desktop video card power (at least a Geforce 6600 GT 256MB or equivalent for Vista Aero, movies, and HD movies), then go with a 22 inch display at 1600x1050. Why? Because 1280x1024 has 1 310 720 pixels and 1440x900 has 1 296 000. So you actually LOOSE work area space, by going 19inch wide screen.

I currently have a high-end CRT display 17inch (16inch in reality as if you remember, for CRT they consider the plastic frame), I have no problem with my Nvidia graphic card using VGA connector (as this is what CRT uses). On an LCD I don't know, definitely use DVI or Display Port (next to your power plug on your laptop) as, LCD uses a digital system rather then analogue. Especially that you have an Intel graphic card, I really cannot say what you'll get, but I won't get my hopes up. Note, you can get Display Port to DVI adapters for cheap and small in size. Display Port is backward compatible to HDMI and DVI.

With wide screens you have more ease to use applications that put columns on both side of the program window, and allows you with more ease to setup 2 documents side-by-side.

How to stack documents side-by side in Windows:
Focus on the start bar the first application you want side-by-side, and then press the "Ctrl" key and hold it. While holding it, click on the second program you want to stack at it's side, and right click on it and select: "Stack Windows Side-by-side".

Enjoy!

 

Kray, I have collected information about pixel pitch (pixel size) for different screens and I have compiled the information into a list that I use when I shop for a new screen. The pixel size determines the size of the text in Windows when using default DPI setting. Maybe the list can be of use for you.

If you have 1280x1024 on your desktop screen now, don't replace it with 1440x900. You will miss the additional vertical pixels!

Örjan


Monitor size
============

LAPTOP MONITORS
---------------------------------------------------------------
17.0-Inch Color TFT WXGA+ Display
Active Area (W x H) 14.5 x 9.0 in (36.7 x 22.9 cm)
Diagonal Size 17.0 in (431.8 mm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.255 mm
Format 1440 x 900
Example: HP nx9420
---------------------------------------------------------------
17.0-Inch Color TFT WSXGA+ Wide Viewing Angle Display
Active Area (W x H) 14.5 x 9.0 in (36.7 x 22.9 cm)
Diagonal Size 17.0 in (43.2 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.219 mm
Format 1680 x 1050
Example: HP nx9420
---------------------------------------------------------------
17.0-Inch Color TFT WUXGA Wide Viewing Angle Display
Active Area (W x H) 14.5 x 9.0 in (36.7 x 22.9 cm)
Diagonal Size 17.0 in (43.2 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.191 mm
Format 1920 x 1200
Example: HP nx9420
---------------------------------------------------------------
15.4-inch Color TFT WXGA Display
Active Area (W x H) 13.0 x 8.1 in (33.1 x 20.7 cm)
Diagonal Size 15.4 in (39.1 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.259 mm
Format 1280 x 800
Example: HP nx8420/nc8430/nx7400
---------------------------------------------------------------
15.4-inch Color TFT WXGA+ Display
Active Area (W x H) 13.0 x 8.1 in (33.1 x 20.7 cm)
Diagonal Size 15.4 in (39.1 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.230 mm
Format 1440 x 900
Example: Some Dell XPS/Inspiron models
---------------------------------------------------------------
15.4-inch Color TFT WSXGA+ Wide Viewing Angle Display
Active Area (W x H) 13.0 x 8.1 in (33.1 x 20.7 cm)
Diagonal Size 15.4 in (39.1 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.197 mm
Format 1680 x 1050
Example: HP nx8420/nc8430/nx7400
---------------------------------------------------------------
15.4-inch Color TFT WUXGA Wide Viewing Angle Display
Dimensions (W x H) 13.0 x 8.1 in (33.1 x 20.7 cm)
Diagonal Size 15.4 in (39.1 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.173 mm
Format 1920 x 1200
Example: HP nx8420/nc8430
---------------------------------------------------------------
15.0-Inch Color TFT XGA Display
Active Area (W x H) 12.0 x 9.0 in (30.4 x 22.8 cm)
Diagonal Size 15.0 in (38.0 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.296 mm
Format 1024 x 768
Example: HP nx6310
---------------------------------------------------------------
15.0-Inch Color TFT SXGA+ Wide Viewing Angle Display
Active Area (W x H) 12.0 x 9.0 in (30.4 x 22.8 cm)
Diagonal Size 15.0 in (38.0 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.217 mm
Format 1400 x 1050
Example: HP nx6310
---------------------------------------------------------------
14.1-Inch Color TFT XGA Display
Active Area (W x H) 11.2 x 8.4 in (28.6 x 21.4 cm)
Diagonal Size 14.1 in (35.7 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.279 mm
Format 1024 x 768
Example: HP nc6220/6230
---------------------------------------------------------------
14.1-Inch Color TFT SXGA+ Display
Active Area (W x H) 11.2 x 8.4 in (28.6 x 21.4 cm)
Diagonal Size 14.1 in (35.7 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.204 mm
Format 1400 x 1050
Example: HP nc6220/6230
---------------------------------------------------------------
14.1-Inch Color TFT WXGA Display
Active Area (W x H) 11.9 x 7.5 in (30.3 x 19.0 cm)
Diagonal Size 14.1 in (35.7 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.237 mm
Format 1280x800
Example: HP nc6400
---------------------------------------------------------------
14.1-Inch Color TFT WXGA+ Display
Active Area (W x H) 11.9 x 7.5 in (30.3 x 19.0 cm)
Diagonal Size 14.1 in (35.7 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.210 mm
Format 1440 x 900
Example: HP nc6400
---------------------------------------------------------------
12.1-Inch Color TFT WXGA Display
Active Area (W x H) 10.3 x 6.4 in (26.1 x 16.3 cm)
Diagonal Size 12.1 in (30.7 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.204 mm
Format 1280 x 800
Example: HP nc2400
---------------------------------------------------------------
12.1-Inch Color TFT XGA Display
Active Area (W x H) 9.7 x 7.3 in (24.5 x 18.4 cm)
Diagonal Size 12.1 in (30.7 cm)
Pixel Resolution Pitch 0.240 mm
Format 1024 x 768
Example: HP nc4400
---------------------------------------------------------------


DESKTOP MONITORS
---------------------------------------------------------------
17-inch
Viewable Image Area (diagonal) 17 in (43.2 cm)
Screen Opening (WxH) 13.4 x 10.7 in (34.0 x 27.2 cm)
Pixel Pitch 0.264 mm
Native Resolution 1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz (analog)
Example: HP L1740
---------------------------------------------------------------
19-inch
Viewable Image Area (diagonal) 19 in (48.25 cm)
Screen Opening (WxH) 14.9 x 12.0 in (38.0 x 30.5 cm)
Pixel Pitch 0.294 mm
Native Resolution 1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz (analog)
Example: HP L1940
---------------------------------------------------------------
20.1-inch Wide-Aspect
Viewable Image Area (diagonal) 20.1 inches wide (WSXGA+)
Screen Opening (WxH) 17.05 x 10.66 in (43.3 x 27.1 cm)
Pixel Pitch 0.258 mm
Native Resolution 1680 x 1050 @ 60 Hz
Example: HP L2045w
---------------------------------------------------------------
20.1-inch
Viewable Image Area (diagonal) 20.1 in (51 cm)
Screen Opening (WxH) 16.2 x 12.17 in (40.8 x 30.6 cm)
Pixel Pitch 0.255 mm
Native Resolution 1600 x 1200 @ 60 Hz (recommended)
Example: HP LP2065
---------------------------------------------------------------
24-inch Wide Format
Viewable Image Area (diagonal) 24 in (60.96 cm)
Screen Opening (WxH) 20.47 x 12.83 in (52.0 x 32.6 cm)
Pixel Pitch 0.270 mm
Native Resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz (recommended)
(native aspect ratio of 16:10)
Example: HP LP2465
---------------------------------------------------------------
Screen size 24" Wide
Pixel pitch 0,27mm
Recommended resolution 1920x1200
Example: Samsung 244T
---------------------------------------------------------------
Screen size 22" wide
Pixel pitch 0,282mm
Recommended resolution 1680x1050
Example: Samsung 225BW
---------------------------------------------------------------
Screen size 21.3"
Pixel pitch 0,27mm
Recommended resolution 1600x1200
Example: Samsung 214T
---------------------------------------------------------------
Screen size 20,1"
Pixel pitch 0,255mm
Recommended resolution 1600x1200
Example: Samsung 204B
---------------------------------------------------------------
Screen size 20"
Pixel pitch 0,292mm
Recommended resolution 1400x1050
Example: Samsung 203B
---------------------------------------------------------------

TV SCREENS
---------------------------------------------------------------
42" (106.68 cm)
16:9 => d = 18.35
W = (16/18.35) * 106.68 = 93.02 cm
H = (9/18.35) * 106.68 = 52.32 cm
Resolution 1900 x 1200 => Pixel Pitch = 0.490 mm
Resolution 1280 x 800 => Pixel Pitch = 0.727 mm
---------------------------------------------------------------
19-inch 4:3 low resolutions
640x480 => Pixel Pitch 0.594 mm
800x600 => Pixel Pitch 0.475 mm
---------------------------------------------------------------

 

Even my old eyes (assisted by spectacles) can handle 1440 x 900 @ 14.1".

I did need to increase the minimum font size setting in Firefox to get rid of the extremely small print, but have had no problem with other programs.

John

 

Hmm...I see...but still, wouldn't the 1440 x 900 on 19" screen be sharper than my current setup? I can see the pixels on my screen--also, it is rather dim--is this because it is 3+ years old? What would be the smallest widescreen monitor that comes in 1600+ resolution?

BTW, when are they coming out with LED desktop monitors? Seems like that would solve the brightness problem.

Thanks--I actually didn't know how to do that until now.

 

Thanks a lot.

 

OK, I'm having trouble outputting sound to my external speakers via my E port replicator. The sound continues to come out of my laptop speakers even though the machine is docked and the RCA cable(?) is plugged in. I might add that the audio cable doesn't seem to fit all the way in--feels a little loose. When I press harder, I get some sound, but I have to hold it there with my fingers. Any idea what to do?

Sound works OK when the speakers are plugged directly into the laptop.

BTW, I remember reading about muting the PC speaker to get better bass off external speakers, but I seem to be getting decent bass without doing so. Even so, I'm curious how to do it.

 

I have the E-Port Replicator and my sound works fine when docked. Also the 3.5mm cord does fit all the way in and does not feel loose. Could be that the jack in your replicator is bad, has it ever worked. Also do you have another set of speakers or headphones to use to rule out the cord you are using at the moment?

 

OK, got the sound to work! I just had to push it in a little harder until it clicked into place. I'm still having a slight issue, however--sometimes the sound only comes out of one speaker and other times out of both. I am using an audio extension cable to reach from my speakers to the docking station. When I loosen the connection between the speakers and the extension cable, surprisingly both speakers work. Does this mean my extension cable is no longer any good? (I realize now that this has nothing to do with my E6400).

 

That could be the case, or the connection could just be dirty. Do the speakers short on and off when you twist the connection? I would try cleaning the connection with a small amount of rubbing alcohol and q-tip.

 

Goodbytes, thanks for the tips. I've increased the DPI to 120% it really does help my eyes. Thanks. But like you said, I noticed some applications and web pages doesn't support this, and the text remain very small. At least it's better than before. I am in my mid-30s, and I don't see myself as old, but the small texts on the native 1440 on a 14" screen really strain my eyes. I'm surprised that the Intel graphic chip doesn't have the option to lower the resolution to 1280 x 800.

Orjan, thanks. I checked the Intel Graphis Properties, but can't seem to find the "Additional Modes" button. I am using XP SP2. How do you get your E6400 to have the 1280 resolution option? Are you using the Intel chipset or the Nvidia chipset?