Need fast advice re: running lower res's on 8104

Hi all,

I was set on ordering an 8104 ever since I read the specs on it, but as I waited for it to come out, the Dell 9300 was announced and appears to match or exceed the 8104 in most areas-- 6800 w/ 256mb vs. x700 w/ 128mb, 17" screen vs 15.4 (with a gain of only ~1.4 lbs) as the 2 key improvements.. (I'd give the 8104 the nod with regards to looks, compactness/size, i/o ports, and docking station capability offhand, maybe more).

In any case, I just found out that the 9300 won't have a docking station, which I think could get annoying fast since it'll be a work computer that I take to meetings. So, I may be willing to forgo the 9300 w/ 17" screen for the 8104.

*I just have 1 key question*

In going with a 15.4" screen (1680x1050) instead of the 17" Dell XGA+ (1440x900), I think it's going to force me to run at a lower-than-native resolution on the 8104. I chose the XGA+ screen on the 17" Dell as I felt I could run "native" there at 17". (Dell also has a 1900x1200 screen which would make everything far too small for me).

The question is, how is the Acer 8104 screen when running at a lower-than-native resolution? I can't see myself (and my poor eyes! ) operating at 1680x1050 on a 15.4" screen. How "blurry" or otherwise less-than-ideal-looking does the screen get at lower res's? Has anyone found any lower resolutions on the 8104 that run very well/look very good?

I need to make a decision quickly while I still have time to cancel the Dell order.. I would rather have to deal with lots of cables then live with a screen that is blurry or otherwise just doesn't look right. How does the 8104 at sub-1680x1050 do?

Advice is very much appreciated!...

Thanks

 

i was in the same boat as you and i have the 8104
if ur runnig at les than normal res that it comes with it doens't look that good at all.

so i just keep it at normal res, made the icons bigger, and the desktop fonts a bit bigger and all is good

 

I think, but I am not absolutely sure that the Acer GridVista software which comes standard with the 8100 series could solve this.

It is not its 'main' reason of existance but it accomodates to run softwares native while in higer resolution without having to fall back on lower resolution (which looks poor).

You should check it out to besure I couldn't read this fully :

http://global.acer.com/products/notebook/gridvista.htm

That functionality is not explained on this page but I saw it in the 'tour' or some other text on www.acer.com

QC

 

I wonder if we could use this grid vista with other models . I have not found the program download at acer site

Do any one know where i could get it

 

Here http://csd.acer.com.tw/SI/Download2.nsf/1815c7c6f8aff65d48256bdd0035cffd/5236d557d365b85248256f15001f981d?OpenDocument
ChrisC