New to laptops - how does the resolution compares to desktop's?

I am about to buy my first laptop. It's going to be the dell 6400 (that how they call this model on the Dell's Argenitian page). I've read the sticky screen guide posts but I have some doubts about which screen is good for me.

I have absolutely no laptop experience but I have my 17" CRT on 1280x1024 and feel that this is the perfect resolution for me. Some times I need more workspace and I up it to 1600x1200. Which laptop screen will provide a comparable experience? Dell's site offer XGA, XGA truelife and SXGA+ truelife.

Also, I understand that changing the native resolution on laptops doesn't have the same effect as on desktop. If so, what are the differences?

I also plan on getting the ATI X1400 video card. To which Desktop video card does it compare?

Thanks Ahead

 

Running a laptop at its non-native resolution will cause it to look fuzzy. SXGA will be higher reolution and XGA will be lower than your desktop screen. The x1400 is a mid-range card.

 

the horizontal resolution of 1280 is what you get with WXGA notebook LCDs. however, the vertical res of 1024 you will not get. the most will be 768 or 800. if you go higher and do not like it, dropping the res down will look fuzzy as zazonz mentioned.