what does resolution given mean?

I'm configuring a lenovo and trying to decide between a dedicated graphics or the integrated graphics. the integrated says it gives 1024 x 768. the dedicated says 1400 x 1050.

What exactly do the resolution numbers mean? Is that the max resolution they will display, or is that the ideal/suggested resolution?

Will the computer I buy be able to display a smaller resolution than what's stated? Like will the 1400 x 1050 computer be able to display 1280 x 1024 perfectly fine if I like this resolution the best?

 

Basically, the higher your resolution, the smaller items on you screen will appear, such as text, graphics, etc. It is really a personal preference as some people like higher resolutions and some people like smaller. IMO, 1400 x 1050 will be much nicer than 1024 x 768. I have 1650 x 1080 on my laptop (it is widescreen, hence the slightly different number), and I would take it any day over 1200 x 800. You will be able to display a smaller resolution than 1400 x 1050 if that is what you get, such as 1280 x 1024. However, if you were to get 1024 x 768, you would not be able to go any higher than that. The only catch is that laptop LCD's display best in their native resolution. In other words, the quality will be best at either 1024 x 768 or 1400 x 1050 depending on which GPU you get. Best thing to do would be to try to go to a local store that sells laptops and see if you can take a peak at what 1400 x 1050 looks like and make sure it is not too small for you. Hopefully that helps a little, post with more questions!

 

I've gone to a few stores, but they only had widescreens. And I don't like widescreen puters cause i like to surf web and the web is oriented towards 4:3 forcing massive scroll downs with widescreen.

I've been very happy with a 1280 x 1024 display on a crt tube with a 17.9" monitor. Which laptop dimension and resolution do you think would best compare to this? (that sucks that quality of image goes down if non-native resolution is used).

I would recommend going with with 4:3 with higher res if you wanta surf the web a lot.

 

As you can see, you'll be able to see more with the higher resolution. The first one is 1024x768, the latter is 1400x1050.

 

Ingenious way to answer the question ZaZ, they always say a pic is worth a thousand words!

 

How come the 1400 shot is unreadable in parts (e.g., time is readable in 1024 but not 1400)? Is this just a goofed up picture or indicative of something with the resolution?

 

you probably have "Automatic Image Resizing" enabled (if you're using Internet Explorer). Disable this, or click the overlay button which pops up at the bottom right hand corner of the image to "zoom" to its intended size.
The images load fine for me.