Using squarish external monitor for X220?

If I plug in a 17" external monitor with 1280 x 1024 resolution to my X220, what will the screen look like? Since the monitor is more squarish, will I see the images in the original ratio form (1366x768 on an X220) but with the top and bottom of the screen black, or will the image be distorted (stretched horizontally and squeezed vertically) to look like the ratio of 1366x768 of X220?

(The monitor like this one)

Also, is there any cons for using external monitor like this for the x220? Any problem with the graphics card when playing video? (no games, though)

 

Depends on your settings. If you use the monitor to mirror the X220 display, chances are, there will be black bars. I would suggest using the external monitor to "Extend" the X220 display, which will allow you to use the external 1280x1024 monitor at its native resolution as a secondary monitor. The various settings can be easily toggled using Fn + F7.

No, there should not be any problems. The Intel GMA 3000HD graphics are perfectly capable of driving a second monitor.

 

The computer can output to such monitors at their native resolution, as long as you either set the display mode as "Extend" or "Projector Only" (which would of course disable your built-in display).

 

Thanks. That will solve my eye strains. Where can I find the settings for 2nd monitor?

 

Right-click on the desktop, then choose "Screen resolution." Select the appropriate display and customize the settings.

 

How to choose which screen to use and whose resolution I'm adjusting in the part you are referring to? (sorry for being dumb--I haven't got the 2nd monitor yet so have no clue what things will be like when I plug it in. Just want to make sure things will be OK before I pay for an external monitor)

 

See attached images.

First, press Fn + F7 to select which mode you want. Use the "Extend Display" or "Projector" options, as we mentioned above.

Then, go to the Screen Resolution settings like I described and choose which screen's settings you want to change from the "Display" dropdown, then set the screen's resolution using the "Resolution" dropdown.

It's really as simple as that.

 

Thank you so much for the help, MidnightSun. It does sound very simple. I'll come back to refer to your posts after I get the new monitor.

 

I have got my new 17" 1280 x 1024 monitor. Looks great. Have a question: Is there a way to have only the external monitor on, laptop's built-in monitor disabled, but the external display keeping the laptop's original 1366x768 resolution (less squarish, with top and bottom blank)? Thanks.

 

No because there are not physically enough horizontal pixels to do that. On a monitor with enough pixels, if it supports multiple types of scaling, you can do it. And you can disable the laptop's monitor and use just the external monitor. But, my question is, why? There's no point to it.

 

Oh, I just realized 1280<1366 . But what I meant was the same ratio as 1366x768, so it's about 1280x720 (with black bars on top and bottom). I was thinking this was desirable because I thought on the squarish screen, everything gets stretched vertically, but looking at this web page, that's not the case. Maybe just more viewing areas vertically?

 

Indeed. It just gives you more viewing area, and will not stretch anything.

 

Yeah that's better than I thought, especially I am one that prefers the old 4:3 for browsing the web and viewing word documents. Thanks everyone.

 

I'm back with a new problem: I had the display on external only, then let the computer go sleep mode for my lunch. When I woke the computer (still only external display), two problems occurred:

1. It asked for my login password, but always say it's wrong password though I entered the right one, even letter by letter, for many times. The background was not the Windows login background at this time. Finally, with no choice, I clicked on "Switch user". Immediately the Windows login background replaced the previous background, still with "Login" box, but this time I typed password and got in immediately.

2. More serious problem: The Internet connection is no longer there! It says the Wireless capability is not turned on, and the network cable is unplugged. Not true. I have been using wireless all along. At this time, I figured it has something to do with the external monitor, so I had the display back to the laptop monitor. Still no connection. No network whatsoever. (Oh, also, when I chose to extend the display on both screens, with the screen content on the laptop monitor, the mouse arrow is on the external monitor (which shows nothing but my desktop wallpaper)! OK, finally, I simply restarted the computer, and there I am, Internet connection is on, thank the Lord!

Could someone explain what went one that caused the above problems? This never happened before I had the external monitor. I'm concerned that in future whenever I turn the computer to sleep mode, I'll lose the Internet connection and have to restart.

Thanks a bunch!