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    15.4 inch and gaming.

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Hermes¡¢, Aug 18, 2008.

  1. Hermes¡¢

    Hermes¡¢ Notebook Consultant

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    Well I am looking at SAGEr notebooks and I really don't think I want to spend $400 extra to upgrade form a 9800M GT to a 9800M GTX. So instead I thought I would maybe get the NP8660. I like the white trim more then the orange trim.

    If I get this 15.4 Inch notebook, I guess it would be very easy when I go to university next year after I graduate. I guess since my budget is around the ~$2500 area, I could maybe get that 2.8 Ghz. Though this isn't the point.

    Is a 15.4 inch screen big enough to do gaming? I doubt I would want a WUXGA on a 15.4 inch, not to mention it also only comes in a matte style screen.

    Is the 15.4 inch screen to small to game on?
     
    Hermes¡¢, Aug 18, 2008
    #1
  2. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    15.4" mainly comes in:
    - WXGA 1280x800
    - WXGA+ 1440x900
    - WSXGA+ 1680x1050
    - WUXGA 1920x1200

    take your pick.

    I would recommend at least 1440x900 or 1680x1050 since they would be perfect with a high-end videocard. :)
     
    Gophn, Aug 18, 2008
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  3. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Its fine in my opinion, I have been gaming on a 15.4'' standard screen and wide screen for the last 4 years or so. :)

    And yes WXGA+ and WSXGA+ would be good choices. WUXGA dont go too well with gaming...(Yes i have a WUXGA screen...hehe)
     
    Johnny T, Aug 18, 2008
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  4. Hermes¡¢

    Hermes¡¢ Notebook Consultant

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    Hmm, its just when I went to my local futureshop for a few minutes I looked at 15.4 inch screen and compared it to a 17 inch screen and it just seemed like it was not big enough to watch movies or play games. Its like the experience wasen't good enough. Now I completely forgot how big a 15.4" screen is so I will probably go again and look at it carfully. Maybe actually touch the computer instead of staring at it for 2 minutes, lol.
     
    Hermes¡¢, Aug 18, 2008
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  5. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Take note of the resolutions too.
     
    Johnny T, Aug 18, 2008
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  6. adyingwren

    adyingwren Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, a 17" might be a pain to lug around university. An option is get a 15.4" then buy an external monitor for when you're back in the dorm.
     
    adyingwren, Aug 18, 2008
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  7. Hermes¡¢

    Hermes¡¢ Notebook Consultant

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    Well I looked at the screen again today for just a few seconds as I didn't have much time. I looked carfully though and I found it is actually quite a nice size to work with. The 17 inch seemed quite big.

    Any more opinions?
     
    Hermes¡¢, Aug 18, 2008
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  8. vicariouscheese

    vicariouscheese Notebook Consultant

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    get a monitor. you shouldnt be gaming on your lap/while studying anyway, so yeah.
     
    vicariouscheese, Aug 18, 2008
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  9. Apollo13

    Apollo13 100% 16:10 Screens

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    I was concerned about this as well - the physical size of the screen being too small, not the resolution. Here's how it compares to some common sizes in width, height, and screen area (all units are inches or square inches):

    Width

    14.1 Widescreen - 11.95
    15 Standard - 12.00
    16 Standard - 12.80
    15.4 Widescreen - 13.05
    17 Widescreen - 14.40
    19 Standard - 15.20

    Height

    14.1 Widescreen - 7.47
    15.4 Widescreen - 8.16
    15 Standard - 9.00
    17 Widescreen - 9.01
    16 Standard - 9.6
    19 Standard - 11.4


    Area

    14.1 Wide - 89.27
    15.4 Wide - 105.49
    15 Standard - 108
    16 Standard - 122.88
    17 Wide - 129.75
    19 Standard - 173.28

    So a 17-inch laptop does make a decent difference in terms of area, but not all that much width or heightwise. My 15.4 inch laptop seemed larger than I expected after it arrived for what it's worth.

    It would be cheaper to get a 20 or 22-inch external monitor from Newegg for $200-250 than to get the video card upgrade just for the bigger screen, also giving you more space. Less on the road, but that may be convenient - 17-inch is a bit big for the economy section of planes, for example. Also more battery life on the road.
     
    Apollo13, Aug 18, 2008
    #9