External LCD monitor for XPS M1330?

Hey folks,

I recently purchased an XPS M1330, with:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
• Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
• 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2 DIMMs)
• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

I'll mostly use it for AutoCAD, SketchUp, etc.

I want to purchase a monitor, but I'm not sure about a few details:

• What's the difference between buying a laptop with an HDMI entry, versus just buying one with a DVI entry (which seem to be cheaper), and get a HDMI-to-DVI cable?
• What's WXVGA and all those 5-letter-acronyms, and how do I check the compatibility of my laptop and the compatibility of various monitors?
• What does "native resolution" mean? In the monitor I think of purchasing (Samsung 2243 EWX), it is said that the native resolution is 1680 x 1050. How can I check whether my laptop supports it?

Thanks for your answers in advance, let me know if I need to supply any further details regarding my laptop.

 

laptops usually come with HDMI cables, because TVs usually have HDMI ports (HDMI = video+audio, DVI = video)... besides the audio difference, HDMI and DVI are electrically compatible...

it's probably cheaper implementing a DVI port than HDMI, but now HDMI (and probably Displayport) is the new standard

WXVGA: go wikipedia and type it in... this usually means 720p (1280x720 or x768 or TV's 1360x768)

native resolution is 1680x1050... your M1330 can drive up to the limit of HDMI

HDMI 1.3: WQXGA (2560x1600)
HDMI 1.2: WUXGA (1920x1200)

the best is to output at native resolution... otherwise, at non-native resolution, things will look blurry

i would recommend you to get a 22" non-TN 16:10 monitor for working...
16:10 because 16:9 is way too wide IMO .... non-TN such as IPS are more expensive, but they have better color reproduction and angles

 

Hey paper_wastage, thanks for the answers.

Let me see if I got it right:

• DVI/HDMI makes no difference besides audio, so I could opt for DVI (it's significantly cheaper).
• My M1330 will support the native display of pretty much any LCD up to 24", so I have no constraints on that account.

Also, in the brochure it says 16:10, and "a-si TFT/TN". I don't know what that means really, but from a short search I understand that it's the customer grade LCD's, whereas IPS provides better coloring and the option to view the LCD from different angles. But at least in the specs of that Samsung, they claim 160 degrees viewing, I guess that's sufficient to me. Is it something I should be worried about? I'm getting this LCD for around ~$130, so I'm not all that worried that I'll need to make another purchase in three years.

P.S: Is the 7x7x7 cube much harder than the Professor's Cube (5x5x5)? I have one at home, I manage to solve it (though a bit slow..)

 

you could go with DVI if you want to....

look at monoprice.com for cheap cables or adapters... i have a hdmi(male) to dvi(female) adapter that cost $5 shipped from there... cheap enough... the monitor should come with dvi cables

i guess if you use it for AutoCAd, you don't really need that better color-reproduction... it's up to you... i would look for a 22" with FULL HD(1920x1200) for a TN parel though... look at slickdeals.net for good deals on monitors, definitely able to find a 22" Full HD TN for under $160

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=354428&t=1361579

(ips 22" for $220)

i haven't solved my 7x7x7 yet... solved my 5x5x5 a few times slowly...

 

with my m1330, i use a hdmi to dvi cable with my dell 2407, works really well

 

m1330 is HDMI 1.3?