Higher res display or SSD?

an SSD I am planning to buy is around $180-200, and the display I want to get (1280x800 to 1440x900) is $150... Which do you think is the better upgrade for the time being? I know I am getting both sooner or later...

Im kind of leaning towards the display...

 

I would get the display simply because 16:10 displays are becoming rarer while SSDs are becoming larger and cheaper.

 

You're right. I got the LCD instead of the SSD. 8GB RAM + 1440x900 lcd will be a nice change of pace!

 

I wouldn't get either (at the moment):

1. Display - unless you do some graphical design or run software that explicitly requires that resolution, I don't consider this an "upgrade"... the difference is limited and certainly not worth 150$... at least to me. Replacing is also risky, especially if you are still in warranty.

2. SSD - I would wait a few more weeks/months until better models heat the market and the price decreases

 

I use almost all of my cs4 programs everyday so it would be a great upgrade for me in my opinion that's why i got it, and I've taken apart this laptop before (lol even dell encouraged me too) and it's very easy to replace the LCD.

i think i might hold on the SSD until i find a screaming deal via the forum used or new somewhere on the net.

 

out of curiosity, don't you feel 1440x900(at whatever size screen) is a bit limited for serious photo editing ?

Personally, I would use an external monitor with at least 24"+ @ 1920 if not higher.

 

Display. You can always upgrade your drive down the road, it's very difficult to upgrade any display.

 

it is very limited. the next best res is 1920x1200 i believe in 16:10 and that's for either 15 or 17 i think at least.

i have it docked on 1920x1080 screen at home... and while at school the 1280x800 is just dreadful.

i don't work with photos, but i work more with vector graphics, and hand drawn drawings (both scanned + digital)... I mainly use Illustrator, Fireworks, and Indesign, but I do work with Dreamweaver, Flash for work, and rarely photoshop.

edit* nvm its 1680x1050, but i don't think it's available in ANY current notebook models right now.
plus, the amount of stuff I have to carry is ridiculous, i would love to carry around a bigger laptop, but it's not possible for me atm

 

I'd go with the display as well..

SSD's are dropping in price and easy to replace.. Screen? More scarce and hard to install..

 

I vote neither. SSD is still WAY too inflated to be bought. And that LCD upgrade isn't really an upgrade unless you go up to 1920x1080 or 1920x1200

 

I'm photo-editing (sometimes quite seriously, although as a hobby) at 1366x768 It is the size of the screen (13.3") that is limiting and not the resolution. I even find lower resolution better for editing, especially on pixel level...

 

I tried using 1366x768 for my (serious) photo editing, but just can't pull it off when I'm used to 1920x1200 and 2304x1440 dual monitor setups.

To the OP: the $150 'upgrade' cost is money well spent for the display.

I would also consider putting two of the cheapest HDD's in there too (if it is a dual HD bay model) so that you can be assured the power, connectors and the second drive cage are all available for you when you do get an SSD, you can use one of the HDD's for storage.

(Most manufacturers save a few pennies and don't put in the proper cables/wiring nor include the second HDD cage if you don't order two HDD's at time of purchase).

 

Again as stated above, I would upgrade the display. They aren't getting any cheaper and who knows about incompatibility later down the road. I can tell you from personal experience with my Vostro 1500, I bought the lowest end screen (1280x800) because I was strapped for cash for college, instead upgraded the battery and other stuff. Looking back 3.5 years now I wish I had done the higher end screen, although the upgrade is easier to do now (very rare case these days)

SSD/HDD are dropping like a ton of bricks, so if you can live with it now, just do the upgrade down the line.