Z61M -> Dell 2005FPW (VGA) = blurry

I recently bought a Z61M. I hooked it up, via VGA, to my Dell 2005FPW (20 inch widescreen LCD). The 2005FPW display is now slightly blurry or, something is slightly wrong with it. I previously had the 2005FPW hooked up to a desktop computer via VGA, where the screen was nice and crisp and everything looked great. With the Z61M, the 2005FPW doesn't look quite right.

It is hard to describe the problem. It just doesn't look right. This is not a major display problem. For example, if you were walking by and glanced at the screen, you would not notice a difference from my old configuration. However, when you are sitting in front of the screen, you can tell a difference. The resolution is correct, using the native resolution. The native resolution for the Z61M and the 2005FPW is the same (1680 x 1050). I am using 60 refresh rate, which should be correct for the 2005FPW. I am using the same VGA cable as before. The screen is not stretched; it just does not look right.

Is this problem due to low quality VGA output in Z61M's and/or other laptops? In other words, is this type of problem standard for laptops?

Would getting a dock that supports DVI out solve this problem?

Thanks for any help.

 

Replying to my own post:
I found this thread which contains some comments from people with the same problems as me.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=5333&highlight=vga+blurry

So, it sounds like this is a universal problem with all thinkpads (maybe other laptops too). I haven't tried installing the drivers for the 2005FPW, so I will do that first. If that does not resolve the problem, then I assume I need to get a dock that supports DVI. Do the docks output DVI at high resolutions alright (e.g. 1680 x 1050)? Which dock do I need to get?

Any other opinions or help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Replying to my own post again:

I found another thread with someone with a similar problem:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=27987&highlight=dvi+resolution

So, I guess I will be getting an Advanced Mini Dock and running DVI out of it to solve this problem.

 

If your z61m has the intel 950 instead of dedicated graphich card, DVI won't work even with a docking station

 

Thanks. I read that somewhere. However, I have the ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 - 128 MB, so I assume that does not apply to me.

 

Congrats, its a great machine. The part on the dock is 250410U. I would suggest looking on eBay and the internet to get a cheaper price.

 

I used the VGA connector before getting my advanced mini dock and also noticed some image quality issues. Switching to DVI through the mini dock fixed it all.

Cheapest place I found for the mini dock was costcentral.com

 

I have my Z61m hooked up to a Dell 2007wfp LCD and i also notice some strange white fuzz or something. It's like interference. You have to get pretty close to see it but it's definitely there. It's sorta like the white fuzz on a TV set. Anyhow, i went back and hooked my 2007wfp up to my Dell E1505 over VGA and the problem isn't there at all and the picture looks just fine. Both laptops have an ATI X1400.