SXGA+ on a 15.4" screen too tiny?

I'm trying to decide on screen resolution. Typically while working I have LOTS of windows open on two monitors. Lots of terminals, browsers, editors, spreadsheets, etc, so I prefer higher res. 1280x800 isn't going to cut it.

So the choice is between:
WXGA+ (1440×900)
or
WSXGA+ (1680 × 1050)

Question is, is 1680x1050 on a 15" screen even readable? I have a feeling the text will be too small to make out. But on the other hand I value the real estate.

Anybody with 1680x1050 think text is hard to read?

Thanks for your help,
Greg.

 

That's wsxga+, sxga+ is 1400x1050. I think 1400x1050 is perfect (25 with good eyes, I like lots of tiling), but my boss for example, thinks it's too tiny and uses larger fonts (53 with pretty good eyes). I think 1680x1050 would be right on the border for me, but it's hard to say.

If you happen to be using Linux (couldn't quite tell from your post, terms are more common in UNIX likes OS), you might consider a window manager like wmi or ion which tiles and tabs.

 

Yes I meant to say wsxga+. I am using Linux and I'm going to try out WMI when I get a chance. I've been using Beryl, which aside from being pretty makes switching desktops and windows very easy.

Greg.

 

My brother has 1600 x 1200 on his 15¨ T43p (not widescreen but gives you an idea) and he wants more.

I bought a MBP 15.4¨ and am going to swap the screen out for a WUXGA screen. (Wanted the smallest possible WUXGA laptop).

It really depends on personal preference. I know people who find 1280 x 800 to be too small, lol.

You can always adjust font size and IMO i'd rather go for a higher res screen and increase the font size when i need to, then be stuck with a lower res screen and have to constantly swap windows.

Despite what people say there is no universal answer to the question ¨what screen res is too high for screen size x¨ (atleast not with the current batch of screens available). People like to push their own preferences and pre-conceived ideas.

Unfortunately if you've been using a 1280 x 800 screen for two years, walking into a store and looking at a WSXGA screen will result in the immediate reaction ¨thats way too small¨. But over time I believe most people will adjust. Your eyes are amazing intruments

For my own company I always buy the highest res screen possible for the pool laptops. But employees can choose what they like for their own machines. Most chose lower res screens, but as they've used the pool laptops, they've all slowly swapped machines. Leaves me with a bunch of low res pool laptops, (why didn't they listen to me in the first place? ) but its just an example from my experience.

Unless you need to game on your machine, or hate scaled text, I would say always go for the highest res screen possible. Even in the case of those two exceptions you may still find scaling is a good trade off for the added productivity and ease of use higher res screens usually afford. (Assuming you don't just surf the web and play solitaire ).

 

i donno.. im getting the laptop in my sig on tuesday.. and it has a wuxga on 15.4 inch.. haha

 

Coming from 1280*1024 on 17" monitor, my current laptop monitor (seen in my sig) definitely seemed like a parade of ants. It only took me a few hours to get used to it though, and considering that my eyesight focus isn't exactly great, most people would be fine with it too.

 

I've got WSXGA+ @ 15.4". At the default 96dpi the text is a little small for my old eyes so I have increased the dpi to 110 (=115% of normal).

The disadvantage of going away from the standard 96dpi is that a lot of screen formatting is designed around that dpi setting and the formatting progressively falls apart as you move away from 96dpi. I've even seen buttons disappear out of the side of the dialog boxes since the box itself is usually sized based on the size of the display in pixels but the formatting of the contents is based on the user's dpi setting. This is a feature of Windows which Vista was intended to fix, but didn't. In fact it was the feature I most wanted!

WSXGA+gives much more clearly defined text than WXGA. However, I wouldn't buy WUXGA without actually seeing one and finding out that I can adjust it to my own requirements.

John

 

WSXGA+ for a 15.4" screen is perfect. There are some people who use WUXGA on 15.4" screens and it's pretty dumb if you ask me since it's more of bragging rights than functionality, unless you use a lot of multimedia tools like Photoshop or Vegas. WUXGA screens on 15.4" = you'll be squinting at the screen. Many companies also sell 15.4" screens with WXGA screens. It's as stupid as the WUXGA because WXGA on a screen that size looks terrible.

My chart for preferred resolutions depending on screen size:
12-13.3" = WXGA
14-15.4" = WSXGA+ (WXGA+ is my preference for 14" ones. My friend's ASUS uses a 14" and WXGA+. I forgot the model though)
17" and above = WUXGA

BTW, SXGA+ isn't widescreen 16:10 format like most laptops nowadays. It's 4:3 standard ratio. So just a warning just incase you'll be ordering your laptop.

 

Just out of curiosity, why are you getting a Pentium M in that laptop instead of a core2 duo? :confused2:

 

OK, thanks for your help. I'm going to get WSXGA+ resolution (SXGA+ was a typo). I think it'll be good on a 15.4" widescreen. Everytime I see a 15.4" laptop I think it looks too big, coming from my old Thinkpad T42.

So now I'm worried that the 21" LCD screen I just ordered, at 1680x1024 isn't high enough resolution. Damn!!

Greg

 

As mentioned WSXGA+ is plenty on a 15.4", but anything under 14" should not have that - thats way too small.

 

I think the manufacturers assume that you will be sitting a bit further away from the monitor than with a notebook's screen. Otherwise you will be physically moving your head as you read each line of text.

John

 

I stare at my WUXGA 15.4 laptop screen for hours on end, that's 1920X1200.

I've actually grown to love it, it'll be weird when I have to buy a new 15.4in notebook and can't get myself a WUXGA screen for a decent price.

 

I really enjoy smallness. I think it isn't too tiny. :] Nothing is too tiny for me..unless it's literally unreadable.

 

Be careful though, I once got a IBM Thinkpad T43 w/ SXGA+ (1400 × 1050) and I was so annoyed at squinting all the time that I was forced to return it. I've seen the 15.4" Apple MBP (1440 X 900) and it's probably the best resolution for me. So if you are able to see a prospective laptop in RL, then please do.

 

I think calling other peoples preference in screen resolution/size stupid is stupid . Just kidding incase the smiley didn't point that out.

Seriously though, you should actually try using a 15.4¨ WUXGA screen before you judge. Its got nothing to do with bragging rights, it simply affords you the same benfits as WSXGA and more. If you can live with it, its common sense to get the highest resolution you can.

Unless ofcourse all you do is basic stuff (movies, surfing, docs), in which case a WXGA screen makes perfect sense.

Personally I can never get enough screen real estate, and I rarely use multimedia tools.

Comparing logs and traces, debugging code, looking at circuit diagrams, referencing specs, etc. For all these task, the more you can have on the screen, generally the easier your task is. Writing documents is also much easier when you don't have to max and min your reference material. Spreadsheets, invoicing, it goes on and on. Infact even everyday surfing I like having my MP3 playlist, MSN convs, browser(s) all maximised.

IMO higher res screens have improved my computing experience just as much as any other HW improvements.

 

Hi,

I am looking a new notebook. At the moment I have 3 choices:

15.4" WXGA (1280x800)

15" SXGA+ (1400x1050)

15.4" WXGA+TrueLife (1440x900)

which one would be the best for me, I work as a Journalist so lot of text and images?

Thanks!

 

Definitely go for the last option. A great amount of screen estate the higher screen resolution would offer would be great for multitasking.

 

SXGA+ is a standard (4:3) aspect ratio, and is the one of the three that has the most pixels (by a difference of 174000 pixels). It's IMO easier to view documents on a 4:3 screen since more text is visible. For image editing, while widescreens might (very subjective) be better, I would choos the higher resolution one. So to summarize, if all else is equal and all that's left to choose is resolution, go for SXGA+. If one of the other laptops have something you need, go for that.

 

Screen size and resolution is a very personalized decision. You really need to see the different options in person as much as possible to get the best feel for what you would like to do. Problem is, it will be very difficult to see a WSXGA+ display in your standard PC shop. Perhaps in a Mac store you could find WSXGA+ on display?

I have a 15.4" WSXGA+ and have no real complaints. I can always scale the text up/down when needed--but there are some exceptions where the text is not really customizable and it can seem a bit small at times.

 

Either way, you're going to have to shell out some cash for high resolution on small moniters usually.

 

The only place I can find a config option for WSXGA+ is at Dell.com. It's a $100 option on the Inspirons. Once I have it configured how I like it's about $1000. I just have a problem shelling out that kind of money for an Inspiron when an off-the-shelf HP is about half that much, but I'd be stuck with 1280x800. Tough choice!

Greg.

 

You can just buy a screen off Ebay and change it yourself.

Keep the original to swap back incase you need to make a warranty claim.