The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Explain TFTs to me please

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by alekto, Aug 12, 2008.

  1. alekto

    alekto Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    32
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    These are the prices for the 1280 to 1440 WXGA upgrade on my dell site:

    WXGA+-CCFL-TFT 130EUR

    WXGA+-WLED 110EUR

    I always thought anything with 'LED' in its title would be better and I never heard of CCFL. I don't understand the wikipedia article all that well. Could you tell me about differences of these two please? Thanks!
     
    alekto, Aug 12, 2008
    #1
  2. ElectricTool

    ElectricTool Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    27
    Messages:
    304
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It's weird that the upgrade price for the CCFL is greater than that of the LED. In any case, the CCFL and LED monikers refer to the type of backlight your display will have. As the name suggests, the LED option will have a bright LED backlight that consumes less power. CCFL is the standard backlight found in LCDs. A display with CCFL tends to be less bright and vibrant as compared to a display with LED backlighting.
     
    ElectricTool, Aug 12, 2008
    #2
  3. Forte

    Forte NBR's Supreme Angel

    Reputations:
    352
    Messages:
    2,462
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Yeah, the LED is definitely better. Dell is trying to rip you off. Just like how they are ripping off europeans by selling Ubuntu loaded laptops at higher prices than Windows Vista laptops of identical configuration.
     
    Forte, Aug 12, 2008
    #3
  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,197
    Messages:
    28,842
    Likes Received:
    2,172
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Two different type of backlight for the display.

    CCFL = Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp - like a baby fluorescent tube.

    LED = Light Emitting Diode - a newer technology which is more power efficient so it an be brighter and/or use less power. Displays can also be thinner.

    Eventually, LED backlighting will take over as the technology becomes mainstream, but that's a few years away.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 12, 2008
    #4
  5. Forte

    Forte NBR's Supreme Angel

    Reputations:
    352
    Messages:
    2,462
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    CCFL also has to use light tunnels that run across the whole screen that bend light so that the screen is evenly lit. LED's due to their positioning do not need those tunnels, hence another reason why LEDs are better lit than CCFL.

    LEDs definitely are the way of the future. Though it will take some time. If your wondering what's after that, it will most likely be OLEDs, where we get even better color and an even thinner profile. Though not really expensive to produce, its new technology, and we all know new tech costs more.
     
    Forte, Aug 12, 2008
    #5
  6. chen

    chen Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    224
    Messages:
    741
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    30
    WOW, LED is cheaper....definitely go for the LED for brighter screen and more energy efficient laptop!
     
    chen, Aug 12, 2008
    #6
  7. alekto

    alekto Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    32
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Wow, I go take a shower before going to work and when I'm back, have some very helpful information provided by you. Thank you very much! I guess WLED is the best choice then, the higher CCFL's prize was confusing though (check for yourself if interested: www.dell.de ). Thanks again.
     
    alekto, Aug 12, 2008
    #7
  8. bazil83

    bazil83 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    67
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I went for the most expensive WUXGA CCFL on the Studio 15, basically because of its resolution. I went for the 9-cell too, so I guess I slightly offset the possible battery drain issue.
     
    bazil83, Aug 12, 2008
    #8
  9. somms

    somms Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    219
    Messages:
    482
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    After using the Studio17 w/LED screen, I can't see myself ever going back to the older LCD technology...its just that much brighter!
     
    somms, Aug 13, 2008
    #9
  10. bazil83

    bazil83 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    67
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Well, in my case... Ignorance is bliss :p
     
    bazil83, Aug 13, 2008
    #10