Pavilion dv9500t Screen Resolution

I am considering a 17 inch dv9500t but am undecided on which screen I should choose. It will be used as an all around laptop with internet surfing, MS office files, videos, picture viewing, and some games...mainly an everyday work horse.

Does anyone have any insight they could share between the two optional screens listed below.

WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)

or

WXGA+ High-Definition Ultra HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)

 

I have the 1440x900 and although there is honestly nothing wrong with it, it would have been nice to have upgraded. =^) Btw, good choice on the dv9500t, I've had mine for almost 2 weeks now and I LOVE it! No complaints what so ever.

 

Get the 1680x1050. It's only $50 more and gives you a LOT more screen real estate.

If youre used to 1280x1024 on the desktop, the 1440x900 will seem very awkward since it feels "too short" with only 900 vertical pixels.

I have the 1680 and very glad I chose it.

 

I too have the 1680, and am glad I chose it.

The resolution is more versatile. But I do see the gamers perspective that the higher resolution is not used, especially with the ordinary graphics horsepower the 9500 has. Then again, I don't really consider my unit as gamers hardware to begin with.

So, I still end up with the 1680 as the best choice, no matter how I try to see the other's perspective. In the end it comes down to the money issue (lol) or your eye's capability. If you have poor eyesight and can't deal with 1680, then why get it? You will be downsizing the resolution anyway, and 1680 native, downsized to 1440 looks horrible.

 

Yea I suggest the 1680 as well and I love how much extra screen space I receive. I can honestly watch a movie framed for half the screen on the left side of the screen and surf the net with a browser on the other side and because its high resolution both halves are reasonably sized.

I have a question also. I have the 1680 and so is that capable of High Definition? I want to download a movie in HD to view but I don't understand if it will display the vivid imagery. I think HD is measured by the how many pixels it is displayed in and not the image quality..right?

 

HELP! I paid the extra money and bought a refurbished laptop, but one expressly that is 1680x1050.

No matter what I do, my Nvidia 8600M GS can NOT set anything higher than 1440x900. I'd really like the extra real estate. Is there anything I need to do to set the screen resolution to 1680x1050? I tried HP support, and they said the card (Nvidia 8600M GS), doesn't support it, which is hogwash. Thanks.

 

Probably your screen is not a 1680x1050, or you need to renew the drivers for you 8600GS.
The best option is 1680x1050, but it's REAL pity that we can't get it with ULTRA Bright option.

 

On the box I received (and paid for extra) is "WXSGA+ Brightview". When I bought it, it said 1680x1050 on my invoice. I have a Nvidia 8600M GS and I already updated to the latest and greatest driver (oct/2007). Maybe I don't actually have the 1680x1050 that I paid for

These are my specs:
HP DV9500T
Windows Vista Home Premium 32
Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 (2.4GHz/4MB L2Cache)
17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050) <== Jury is out?
4GB DDR2 System Memory
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
HP Imprint +Webcam
Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network
120GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive

I don't know how I can tell somehow with a system check what the monitor actually is? In device manager, it just says Generic PnP monitor. Does that actually need a dedicated device driver?

 

what can i type into the run command to see what my screen reso is??? i have no idea. thanks.

 

windows vista: control-panel/personalization/display settings or
right click on your display/nvidia control panel/change resolution if you're using an nvidia display adaptor. If not you can still right click and get/change info from there.

 

Thanks. the does tell me the display setting of 1400x900 but how do i check to see if i have brightview or an ULTRA brightview.

thanks

 

I don't think you can have BOTH Ultra Brightview AND 1680x1050. That wasn't an option for the dv9500.

 

I'm very happy with 1440. I'm not young any more, for me smaller is too much eye-strain, and games run better on lower resolution anyway.

For more screen real-estate, dual-monitor with 24" LCD 1920. I like, very nice.

From another thread, it should be obvious if you have ultra-bright screen. The OP reported the ultra-bright screen was 3X brighter, and could even be used comfortably in bright sunlight. There's no way my screen -- the screen totally washed out when the sun hits close by through my window.

ETA: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=200906

 

It sounds like you did not get the high resolution screen. Is everything blurry on the screen, or is it very crisp? If blurry, then the screen is being scaled and you might have the high-rez screen. If clear, it's not being scaled and you don't have it.

@OP:
See my "Screen DPI" guide in my sig for a way that can help you compare the screen sizes. Higher resolution is ALWAYS better. Higher rez screens can scale fonts better and makes things easier to read. The idea that text size is directly related to screen resolution is out of date and arcane.

 

The display of mine is crisp and clean but only 1440x900. After 8 emails to HP support I'm sending it back as I suspect they never installed the WSXGA+ screen. Worst thing is they'll have it for 10 business days. I'll keep you posted.

Just an FYI, my 8 emails back and forth to support in India were a complete and absolute waste of time. Only after I chatted with a tech support person did they send me a box after my suggestion to have it checked out by HP. If you ever have anything more than a remedial question for HP tech support, good luck. Most of the email responses were answers and suggestions that didn't have anything remotely to do with my problem.

 

Just for closure, HP labelled the box WRONG so the reseller sold it as a 1680x1050. HP would not put a new display on it after I sent it in, but made some small monetary amends.