tips on making 1920x1200 display less painful?

I've been using 1280x1024 on 17" LCD since 2002. My most recent purchase is Inspiron 9400 w/ a 17" 1920x1200 WUXGA screen.

Things don't look the same, that's for sure I have an OK vision and fonts are set to 120DPI, however, there do not scale to that size everywhere. Unless there is some "adjustment" period, things look tiny.

I still have time to return the laptop and exchage for WSXGA+. Would that be a smarter move or I will regret it? The system is used for web/word processing/digital media and some occasional gaming.

Perhaps you guys have tips as to how to further adjust the display so it would be easy on the eyes.

Thanks!

P.S. Having to have a web browser window not maximized certainly takes time to get used to

 

here's a helpful thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1523920, you can change fonts and individual sizes/spacing in XP, not necessarily using the DPI setting. Then you also have to separately adjust default/minimum font sizes in the browser. It's not that difficult and I'm happy with the results.

 

My biggest problem(s) is web sites don't use 100% vector graphics, DVD(s) look too soft being only 480i, and most of my games have to run in a lower non native Rez to keep the frame rates up.

My first screen, 1440x900, had serious light bleed with bad viewing angles and washed out colors. (samsung)

Does this sound like Dell needs more screen options? Not every one gets off on two spreadsheets side by side

Good tips there Leshii

 

This may not be what you want to hear, but I would return it for the WSXGA if that's an option. Why make your eyes suffer? Too tiny is too tiny.

Chris

 

WSXGA would be perfect for this lappie but unfortunately it's not an option and IMHO WXGA+ will not be on par...

I personaly love the high res even though I have to agree it has certain drawbacks (ie can't play newest game at native res)


by the way I'm not sure how high res will make DVD look soft if the video is always streched to the same physical size (to fit full-screen on a 17" monitor)
no matter what the resolution is, so that 1 pixel of video always occupies the same amount of physical space.

 

wsxga is a nice compromise when available. WXGA is to low imo. WUXGA is fantastic for gaming and other media but for text it can be a pain for the eyes. Another good solution is to remember to brake at least 15 minutes after an hour of computer use

 

off topic, but what is IMHO? i see it a lot...

i wish wsxga+ was an option on dell's 17 inch models

 

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

 

IMHO- In My Honest Opinion.

*EDIT* Wow, I always heard "in my honest opinion. Guess it's different here.

 

alright alright... here:

http://www.acronymfinder.com/af-query.asp?Acronym=IMHO&p=dict

 

Well, maybe the original poster meant he was going to exchange it for something else when he said that he could still exchange it for WSXGA+. Beats me.

Chris

 

thanks to all who answered. i will for sure take more breaks now than ever, which is a GOOD thing!

well. i decided to keep WUXGA. hopefully in a year i'll be able to sell it (it's spec.'ed to the maximum) to some CAD/Photoshop freak and get whatever choice is available then.

which bring me to question (perhaps it deserves a new thread): how long should laptops be kept for? i believe (or at least hope to) they hold their value better than desktops.. so.. when's the best time to dump what you have and switch to something better?

 

laptops are like cars.... even worse actually... they lose a huge chunk of their value in the first year, then another huge chunk of ther the next year or two after that. There will not be a big difference in price between a 2-3 year and a 5 year laptop.

Your laptop can lose 50% of the price you paid in the first year alone. Definitely 60-70% over 2-3 year period.

So, in my opinion, like with cars, it's better to get something that lasts and keep it for as long as it works for you.

 

you live in Canada, you know how some cars (read: Honda) keep their value years after purchase compared to others (read: Ford).

ah well. hopefully it won't depreciate THAT much. but then again, i might be just too hopeful.

 

yes, but even those cars that keep their value the best (besides collectables) lose about 50% after 5 years and cars last (or "stay current") much longer than laptops

 

That's what bothers me, how it's streached Native DVD is around 720x480. Depending on the "stretch per pixel ratio" (sorry) the video gets soft to my picky little eyes.

I have a crappy work around, I just watch the DVD around half full screen with black borders.

One day, if HD DVD ever (really) gets here, my whining should go away

cheers