Native Screen Resolution Question

My question is:
The native resolutions on notebooks are getting bigger and bigger, with screens getting smaller and smaller, making icons and reading very difficult. Currently, I have a Toshiba A100-SK9, and the native resolution is 1280x800, which is definitly small enough, maybe even too small. When I try to change it lower, everything becomes unsharp. I'm planning on getting a HP nc8430, whose screen res is even higher, at 1680 x 1050 with the same screen size of 15.4". Does that mean that I can't make it a lower res without everything becoming unsharp? ...because I'm pretty sure I'll have to squint which will eventually make me blind. Thanks

*if I can't then I'll probably have to get an external LCD monitor, which is pretty ironic seeing how you pay a huge premium for a notebook's "portability"

 

the screen will look fuzzy outside the native resolution, whatever it may be. if you have a hard time with wxga resolution, i don't think you'll like wsxga+ at all.

maybe you need to get your eyes checked (no sarcasm) because 1280x800 makes everything HUGE; so much so that, to me, it looks like a children's toy laptop or something. if you're having trouble with it, it may be your prescription has changed.

anyways, as i said, if you think wxga is already too small, you're not going to like wsxga+ and running it outside of the native resolution would be a total waste.

 

yea pretty much all monitor's become blurry when not at native resolution. if the nc8430 isn't available with wxga, get something else. there is no sense in spending that much on such a nice machine when you wont be able to use the screen. i know the lenovo thinkpad z60m came with an option of 1280x800, research the z61m and see what it comes with.

 

Yes all of thats very true, in addition it isn't good for the hardware to put the screen outside of it's native resolution aswell.

 

is that true airman? what kind of problems can that cause?

also, i was screwing around at best buy the other day and set a 19" LCD to something around 2000x1500 and it said incapable frequency or something and didnt go back to normal for a good 5 minutes. the geek squad was after me i swear.

 

I guess its because I'm just not used to it. I used to use a 1200xsomething resolution on a 21" Desktop Monitor, so the jump to 1280x800 on a 15" was a big jump. I guess I'll go to the local store and see how small 1600x1050 really is.
I did check on the nc8430, and it is offered in WXGA, but not in the config that I want...I want a Core Duo T7200 (or else I wouldn't have waited), and that only comes with WXGA+
*I've always wanted to get an external 19" LCD anyways, I've always found that notebook screens are just too...light(not really too bright but kind of fadish, and too dark when the lights put a bit down)...its probably from the light leakage thats standard with almost all notebooks, some worse than others. Desktop LCDs always seem to be a bit easier on the eyes.

 

ever tried a glossy notebook screen? they don't have those common problems found on matte screens... just a suggestion.

 

I've got one...the Toshiba A100-SK9, and its got its own whole set of problems, mostly I hate the glare. This notebook is where I find the screen leakage problem, but I've compared with others, and its the same. That's why I'm returning it and getting the HP. I would probably buy a cheaper notebook with a glossy screen (Asus W3J, A8jm, etc.), but I really don't want the glare from their glossy screens.

and by problems, do you mean the resolution issue is worse on matte screens?

 

Screen resolution is very subjective. Some people seem to love the high resolution screens. I personally think text on a 1680x1050 17in screen is way too small- and you're talking about a 15.4in screen. The text is clear - just too small. And quite frankly I think it is borderline on a 1440x900 17in screen (what I have now).

The point is, there is no right or wrong here, this is a personal decision, go look in a store first. Otherwise you will have to live with it. Changing resolutions as you have found out will not work.

Hope this helps,

Zany

 

Bollocks.

Anyways, if all else fails, you could run that monitor at 840x 525 without artifacts. But that may be a wee bit too big

 

Good, I thought it was just me then. Well are there any other notebooks that can be recommended with similar specs:
Matte Screen (WXGA or below) - Very important
Core 2 Duo - Important
1-2GB RAM
15" Screen (maybe 14" if all the other features are included)
Good GPU - X1600 or GeForce 7600 - Important
roughly 80GB Hard Drive
3 Year Warrenty (the ability to purchase it separatley or have it included in the product)

-Thanks!

 

compal hgl-30, it might be a glossy screen though, i'm not sure.

 

sorry, but I can't get that in Canada

 

UPS Ground Shipping (Canada) ( + 63 )
UPS Express (Canada) ( + 153 )

http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?cPath=95_51_147&wconfigure=yes&products_id=1427

 

I fought with the same dilema myself for months before I decided to go with the WXGA+ which I run at 1280 X 800! I bought the higher res. to get the wide angle clarity. I use my laptop in the field and am very seldom "dead on" in line with th screen. That's what influenced me to get the 1680 X 1050 --- the increased viewing clarity at non-standard angles.

 

1280x1024 at 21" (assume 20" visible) is 75 dpi...

the closest thing you'll probably be able to find in a laptop is 1024x768 at 15" -- 85 dpi.

1680x1050 at 15.4" is 129 dpi.

 

so how is the 1680x1050 on the 15" N0bytes? I wonder cause you seem to also have a problem with small letters and such, does enlarging the icons help at all?
*also, like the icons situation, is it also possible to enlarge all the type (words) as well. That would make the whole situation much better because only what counts (pictures) are in high resolution.

Thanks.