WXGA+ vs. WSXGA+ - Dell Inspiron 1505

There's a thread out there for the Dell Inspiron 1505 comparing WXGA (1200 x 800) vs. WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050) but it did not include the option between the two which is WXGA+ (1440 x 900).

WSXGA+ seemed to be the most popular when compared with WXGA, but some people also commented that the font/lettering might be TOO small on a 15.4" screen. So would the WXGA+ be somewhat of a balance between the two?

I'm posting this forum/poll to see what people think as I am debating between WSXGA+ and WXGA+ on the 1505.

Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated... Thanks

 

WXGA+ is indeed a compromise between WXGA and WSXGA+. The reason the original thread does not include this option is because Dell added the WXGA+ option fairly recently. It's all personal preference. I would have to have at least WSXGA+ on a 15.4 inch, but the next guy might not be able to stand anything higher than WXGA. Go to a big-box store and check it out for yourself. You will get used to the higher resolution to a degree. I had a wxga e1505 and now I have a sxga+ 14.1" t60. It was strange at first and kinda hurt my eyes but now looking at anything with a lower resolution seems like a toy. You can always adjust the DPI and fonts if the text would be too small. Also keep in mind that when/if you decide to resell, many people like the wsxga+ option. Another matter to consider is gaming at native resolution.

 

I'm fairly certain that WXGA+ LCD panels are only manufactured for 14.1" notebooks. You probably can only choose from WXGA or XSXGA+.

If you get the larger resolution, you can always raise the DPI settings so the text is more readable.

 

I think it's a new option as vespoli mentioned. I just started looking so I was not sure

Currently on the Dell 1505/6400 they now have 4 options

WXGA
WXGA w/ TrueLife
WXGA+ UltraSharp w/TrueLife ($50)
WSXGA+ UltraSharp w/TrueLife ($100)

 

My concern is not so much the $50 difference, but moreso just that the WSXGA+ would be a tad small. Even with increasing my DPI/Appearance font on my desktop (running 1600 x 1200 on a 21") some things (like web pages) are just insanely small and having to boost the font on those (in FF/IE) makes the page all out of whack. Things like Windows toolbars, etc. are no problem to adjust. I just find about 50% of pages in FF/IE are funky on the super high resolutions.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

 

I think you should get the xga+ its the happy medium.

 

go with the WSXGA+ its not that bad, its small at first but you get used to it, and nothing beats all the extra screen real estate

 

If you want to go blind, go with the WSXGA+. 1680 on a 15.4 screen is unimaginable to me.

 

I have a WSXGA+ screen on my e1505 and I've never had any problems with text size.....unless you're half blind already...I don't see any reason to have trouble reading text on the WSXGA+ screen

 

Overall it seems like people still prefer the WSXGA (1680 x 1050) vs. WXGA+ (1440 x 900). Specifically with games, how does the scaling work with these two screens?

I mean the computer probably cant handle running a came at 1680 x 1050, so you end up let's say running it at 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768 or something.

Does it just appear 1/2 the size on the screen?

or does it scale/stretch and look funny?

Or does the laptop actually go into a none native size?

 

I have a Wsxg on my 8600 and it has been great. I saw the UXGA and it was far to much resolution for that screen. Fonts were too small and anything other then native resolution was fuzzy.

I now have a 17" screen and again made the right choice in going with WSXG+.

remember some buy the upper end just because its there. On a 15" screen either will suffice. WXGA is fine.

 

Higher resolution = good. Higher resolution means better clarity. Higher resolution does not mean smaller fonts. THAT is a problem of microsoft windows. Microsoft is the one saying "aha higher resolution, let me make the fonts smaller, I dont want the ease the strain on users eyes".

You can also try linux - I have 1920x1600 on a 17" and its simply STUNNING. I've also had SXGA+ on a 14.1" and it looks awesome too.
In microsoft however - its a different matter.

 

How??? So much of the text on the web is unsizeable. Take the menu directly to the left right now - those letters have to be about 0.001" tall on your resolution. I feel bad for your eyes in 10 years.

 

It depends on the game to a large extent.

 

For the games I play...NFS MS and NSF U, CIV IV, LEGO STARWARS, STARWARS BFII, ect...... the screen can reamain at 1680X1050 and still look and play great.

 

Wouldn't forcing you eyes to see the small text improve your eyesight?

 

I agree that software can handle this higher resolution better or worse. But I will be running Windows. In fact Windows does a decent job of resizing the font. I've found that some applications and esp some webpages just don't resize well.

For example webpages that have menus done with images/rollovers or have structural-issues (this site included) when you increase the font size to something equivalent to 12 in a printed book (fonts going beyond the table bounds, or etc.).

How does Linux handle all that better than FireFox 2.x (the browser I'm on)? or what do you suggest for those pages/applications? This will definitely help me make my decision between the two resolutions. On my 21" I can just change the resolution as needed, but since this laptop is an LCD, it's pretty much stuck at native resolution to get ideal quality.

Thank you for your advice

 

It is worth mention that screen resolutions are completely subjective and what I find perfect may be awful for others. It is best to go see these screens in person. Typically the screens you see at BestBuy and Circuit City are all WXGA panels. But the screens on the E1505 at the Dell kiosk tend to be WSXGA+ in my experience. I highly recommend seeing for yourself if you are unsure.

All the same WSXGA+ for me.

 

I really like the WSXGA+. It allows you to see so much more on the screen.

 

Just a follow up. I ordered the machine with the WSXGA+ and it's awesome. Very clear screen, even looks sharper and brighter than my Trinitron 21" Sony CRT.

Also re: font size. Both Dell and Windows include utilities that make it very easy to increase the font. Plus, IE 7 has a zoom feature that will increase the font and images of any website. Very clear reading and even does a better job than FireFox (which will increase the font size, but not the tables/site).

Hope this helps

 

I have WXGA+ on my Inspiron 6400 (the screen is 15.4") and I like it. I agree with the people who said that anything more would be too small, though I've never seen it.

 

Thanks for the update, glad yoou liked it.
Doesnt WSXGA+ look very crisp ?

How is the screen in terms of quality ? I had a E1505 with a WXGA and it was just attrocios. The blacks were greys.

Opera also can zoom in the entire page, images and all. Firefox should have that feature soon.

 

I think any screen that is Truelife will have really crisp image, no? My WXGA+ Truelife has insane colors. The blacks are definitely not gray. And I like your Ghost Rider avatar, I actually have a poster of that image on my wall.

 

My screen WAS the lowest quality one (no truelife), that may explain the grayness.
I do believe that crispiness/sharpness is tied to resolution. Higher resolution = higher detail. Though its evident only on text, pictures etc seem to be fine on WXGA+

I actually chose the avatar as a form of protest over NBR's policies, mods here think death/skulls/violence is OK but human bodies scar young people for life.

 

Trust me, WSXGA+ is the way to go. The font was pretty small to me at first, but I got used to it on the first day. The amount of screen estate you get is AMAZING, plus everything looks extremely sharp! I can multitask super fast and do so many things all on one screen. And if the text is still too small for you, change the font size in Internet Explorer, change the DPI from 90 to 120, or GET NEW GLASSES.

Now I won't settle anything lower than WSXGA+ on a 15.4"

What makes the screen even more amazing is WSXGA+glossy. Sharp and bright, can't get any better.

 

I really liked my 6400 with wsxga, the text was fine for me at normal dpi and small fonts, the extra real estate is quite nice, I've since moved to an m1210, which was a bit of an adjustment, much less real estate, but a very nice on the go machine, it all boils down to personal preferance

 

Don't forget to try the Font increase tools included with Windows XP and IE 7 as well as Dell's QuickRes (even if you clear out and reformat, you can download this from the Drivers section).

This makes the fonts (and webpages) large and eye-pleasing, and easy to adjust, while still allowing the benefits of the WSXGA+ resolution.

 

I don't think I could deal with higher resolution. I would be able to read the small text, but it just can't be good for my vision to have to strain like that. I tried changing the font size on mine, but I don't like how it changes your tray icons and makes them all pixelated. The spacing between desktop icons gets all weird too, and I don't like it.

Windows Vista will probably have some good options for resizing, so I'm waiting for that.

 

It can be hard to find that perfect balance between up'sizing the core font vs. adjusting the details in the Appearance. Hopefully Vista will make this seamless.

 

GO WXGA+ for the win! if you're tinkering with your font sizes then your resolution is obviously too high (*cough* wsxga+ *cough*)

 

I like wsxga+. In using wxga+ I actaully find I'm constrained by losing those extra 150 vertical more than I am bothered by the much bigger (240) horizontal loss.

+1 on not getting smaller you can comfortably read everything though. In practice, not all objects will be cleanly scalable, not all games and applications "adapt".

I'd be almost tempted to go wUxga on 15.4". Too small for most, but not for some- I mean there are freaks out there with Qxga on 15"!

 

this is still a big choice for me too...i went around today to all the computer shops and no one has anything but wxga on a 15.4 screen. Is there anyone to take pictures and post the differences between the two? I really want to go with wsxga+ just because its like a month less waiting, but then again i don't want it to be too small and wish it was the other resolution.

 

and yes...i did just get back from a day of going to every computer shop in town and the only screens every one has is wxga on 15.4". Some had wxga+ on 17", but that looks the same as wxga on a 15.4". I hate making choices like this! Can some people please help out, even though it is personal preference...