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    Monitor Resolution Naming Scheme: Using Letters (WSXGA) or Numbers (1024x768)

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Gamma1234, May 22, 2007.

  1. Gamma1234

    Gamma1234 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Why exactly do notebooks seem to stick with using the Letter scheme for identifying resolutions rather than the Numbers?

    I must admit, I find this letter scheme insane, and i understand its purely subjective. I just prefer using the numbers, it just seems to make more sense. is this something new, it seems like LCDs and other Monitors have primarily used the number scheme?

    if anyone has any insight, im just curious. thanks
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    Gamma1234, May 22, 2007
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  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Greg, May 22, 2007
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  3. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It's not really that hard, though it can get confusing, but after a while, it sticks on, since its a universal number that barely changes.

    WXGA = 1280x800
    WXGA+ = 1440x900
    WSXGA+ = 1680x1050
    WUXGA = 1900x1200
    ...etc.
     
    coriolis, May 22, 2007
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  4. Gamma1234

    Gamma1234 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, its not really a question as to what the different resolution names are. its just when it really began to become popular. From what i remember it seems as the LCD monitor market mostly used the numbering scheme when they marketed their products became popular, and notebooks have always seemed to use the letter scheme marketing the product

    just curious as to why LCDs predominantly used the numbers and the Notebooks used letters.... but maybe im wrong here
     
    Gamma1234, May 22, 2007
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  5. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Also note, SXGA+ is 1400x1050, and WSXGA+ is is 1680x1050. The W version of each lettered resolution is usually the same vertical pixels as the standard-def 4:3 ratio, just widened to the 16:9 or 16:10 ratio.
     
    Pitabred, May 23, 2007
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  6. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    WXGA can mean either 1280 x 768 or 1280 x 800. Those 32 rows of dots along the bottom may not be much but I missed them when I moved from the latter to the former.

    I much prefer people to state the resolutions in numbers. It is too easy to get the letter codes wrong.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, May 23, 2007
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