M1330: external monitor via HDMI or serial?

I'm deciding between two cheapish monitors, to accompany my (as yet unarrived) M1330: a HP monitor with serial (not even DVI) or a BenQ with HDMI.

Now, my question is this: would there be any difference between using the serial and using the HDMI port? If there is a difference, exactly what is it? (neither monitor has sound, so the fact that HDMI outputs sound is irrelevant in this case).

Incidentally, the HP is a 20" 1680 x 1050 and the BenQ is a 19" 1440 x 900 - are both these resolutions supported by the Geforce 6400M GS card?

Thanks!

 

Serial = VGA?

lol got to love serial right d.s. it is VGA

Defined:
An analog computer video signal format or equipment to produce or display same, using 480 visible scan lines each normally representing 640 pixels. The significance of this format is that the video signal is made up of the same total number of scan lines (525) transmitted at the same rate (scan rate) as NTSC video converted to a progressive scan format. If not confined to a broadcast channel, an (interlaced) NTSC video signal can also hold the detail of 640 or more pixels across. ...

 

Oops! Lol. Sorry, I've always called it a serial port - it's the one traditionally used for monitors, found on pretty much every computer. The review of the HP calls it a D-Sub analogue port if that's any help.

 

yeah - call it dsub or vga.

I would say go with the HP one. Unless you are doing a lot of precision gaming or video editing, or have very sensitive eyes, the larger screen size makes it a better deal (assuming its the same price).

On the other hand, you should be able to get higher refresh rates and better colours on the HDMI monitor.

 

Thanks Danish. However, I would like some comprehensive, technical details of the difference: why is the refresh-rate better (won't it be the usual 60 hertz)? How exactly does it change the quality of the colours?

 

I shudder to think what refresh rates would be over a serial (RS232) connection!

Anyway, to answer the question, refresh rates are selectable. Digital transmission is faster, allowing for more color bits and more frames per second in principle, but it depends on the video card. in practice, I would guess there isn't a visible difference.

I would still get an HDMI monitor just because it's digital, and because the HP monitor with limited connection options is probably an old outdated model (screen brightness, viewing angles and reliability have been improving year by year).