difference between "glossy" and "matte" hel80 screen

Why people still choose screens with resolutions of 1280x800 is beyond me.

 

Because it's a good resolution for viewing text at normal viewing distance and default settings in Windows. Icons don't get shrunk to an unusable size, and you don't have to muck with DPI settings (which can screw up certain programs and their operations). Windows doesn't handle high-resolution well (at least XP doesn't). Linux handles it better, but most people don't use Linux. I find WSXGA+ to still be too high a resolution...the NHC battery icon is too small to be readable at regular DPI, and I can't change the DPI because it screws up Fulltiltpoker and a few other things.

As far as glossy versus matte...if you're in doubt, buy a glossy. Why? Because if you don't like it, you can buy a filter from 3M ( https://commerce.3m.com/filters/products.asp) that'll basically turn it into a matte screen. If you buy a matte screen, you're stuck with a matte screen, period.

To my mind, better to have the option.

 

I totally agree. Seriously though, if you haven't yet figured out how to increase the size of your icons or fonts, let us know. We can show you how. More screen real estate > less (especially if you do any graphics work).

 

-I like matte screens
-I like resolutions where I can see stuff (meaning 1280x800 is a winner for me in 15.4". Sure, I like 1680x1050 or even higher, but not in 15.4")
-I like saving money

Glossy wins 2 out of 3 for me.

 

3 out of 3. Like I said, if you buy a glossy you can make it matte later.

 

I tested the Crown P 15:2 from PowerNotebooks with the matte WSXGA+ screen, it was simply beautiful. Excellent colors and the brightness was especially impressive for a matte screen; it uses a special technology to enhance the backlighting. Take a look at the review for more specific info:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3060&review=Compal

 

I will chime in on how beautiful the matte screen is on the HEL80. To me it puts the 17" WUXGA glossy I had right before it to shame.

 

I own the Compal with the matte screen and I think it is awesome. However I am having trouble adjusting to the 1680x1050 resolution. I do were glasses but have never had this issue with resolution before. If you have trouble with your vision you should consider this. On the other hand if your eyesight is good and you can do the resolution than this matte screen is absolutely spectacular I am very saddened that I may have to go down to the glossy 1280x800. The matte on the Hel80 is that good. Also I highly recommend PowerNotebooks they are great.

 

I'm still wondering why you dont tell windows to use larger icons and fonts? Even a web page can be made easier to read for you using CTRL +/-, or ctrl + mousewheel.

Try taking your resolution and multiplying it by a value to make a smaller version, but keep the scaling..for example
1680x1050 * .9 = 1512x945
Then you can add custom resolutions to your screen. (You may have to play with font smoothing to get this to look good).

 

Yes I did that but my development environments get messed up text around some of the tool windows. The DPI settings alone will not give you a correct sizing it will make text a little easier but I have seen screens on my machine that ignore or get messed up with just the DPI change. The second piece of advice is what I have been trying to find a resolution where the scaling is correct where is the font smoothing setting? Thanks

 

1344x840 or 1512x945 isn't bad is there any way to get the fonts to sharpen I have the method of font sharpening as standard not Clear Type but neither helps much other than that not bad. Come on I am almost there does anyone have any idea about font sharpening? Is there a trick to this in Windows XP?

 

Sharpening text doesn't honestly exist for LCDs yet... its been the biggest hurdle against getting LCD's adopted. Since the DPI isn't dynamic like it is for a CRT, they fake it by lighting more triads the same color when you lower the resolution.

Cleartype and standard are about all you can get from a software solution since its technically a limitation of the hardware.

 

Ugh, Okay those resolutions look very good I will need to soul search to see if I can live with the fonts that you get as a result. Thanks for the help Pyro9219 and Chrisyano.

 

Yeah, its a shame really... honestly, I'd say go with the lower resolution if your eyes are having this much trouble. The glossy screen really is excellent looking and in the long run, your eyes and sanity are more important. Also, you can get fairly cheap Matte "filters" for LCD's that will cut the glare if that bothers you.

 

Okay if you lower the resolution to 1344x840 and change the DPI to 120 then it is tolerable and the fonts look relatively good. I am going to compare to my wife's computer with a native 1280x800 and if it is close then I will keep the matte. Also had to use clear type for the font setting for anyone that wants to try it.

 

clear type always looks blurry to me :/

 

Yikes! I find cleartype to make slanted lines [// or W, M, Z, X and so on] look straight instead of jagged, and the fonts to be sharper...not blurry.

Interesting. I wonder why our perception is so different??

 

Yes it looks better to me, Clear Type looks horrible at higher resolutions but it seems to be better for lower ones. I think if you can distinguish the halo effect it has then it looks bad but if the resolution is lower than you can't distinguish between the two so it removes the blur effect and fills in the font. At least that what I think is happening I am a newbie to all these settings never needed them but I will try any combination I can.

 

I was wondering with the difference between these two screens was, other than the resolution.

Which one would you guys reccomend?

 

Please look around before posting your questions. This particular question has been discussed at length a number of times in this forum, so I will direct you to the other thread(s).

If you have any further questions, please feel free to post them.

EDIT: The posts may now seem a little out of order as I have merged three threads, but it shouldn't be hard to follow.

 

Clear Type basically multiplies the pixels used in text creation, creating thicker lines of color (contrasting surfaces basically) to make it seem smoother. (called anti-aliasing)

A nice wikipedia link if you are interested:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Type

Basically, its not that it is fuzzy, but to my eyes, it sort of seems out of focus, or less sharp. I feel the same way about games when I turn anti-aliasing on.

It could be some crazy optical illusion, but I know my eyes are OK because I went in and had a full eye exam / retinal scan not long ago and I still have perfect vision (may it last )

Check this out if you are trying to use cleartype:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ClearTypePowerToy.mspx

Update!
I just played around with the above linked tool, and wow... now my text is seriously nice looking!
Go me for a great find!

 

I would like to have the extra real estate from the Matte screen, and prefer a Matte screen. I am sitting at a glossy screen right now, and while it looks good, I do always have a glare, even in a moderatly dark room.

However, I will be using my HEL80 for MOSTLY gaming. would I be better off to get the lower res screen? Or will the games run well int he higher res? I will be playing stuff like Star Trek Legacy, Oblivion, Supreme Commander... etc etc etc.
And I want them to be enjoyable with most if not ALL options on. I have read numerous topics on several forums, but yet to find my answer.

 

Search harder, because I've answered this on this compal thread atleast 4 times =P (Try searching for BF2142, or battlefield)

 

Hehehe yes so you have I do believe you are correct. The higher res really is the way to go. Thanks, I will be ordering the matte screen.

 

No problem!

I'm not sure where you are ordering from, but I know powernotebooks offers a trial period where you can send it back if you want a different build for your system. Check with your vendor, they probably offer the same deal just in case you want the lower resolution.

 

Great find indeed

I always liked it, but now with that utility I can customize it for my eyes...Thanks pyro9219

 

Is the 1280x800 lcd(glossy) panel as good as the reviewed wxga+ (1600...) panel ? I want buy hel80 in Poland but i have only 1280x800 option :/

I don't need high resolutions but i like good quality of picture.

Please tell me about yours 1280x800 panels + maybe a link to test

 

My notebook is 1280x800 res, and I love it. It's really clear, and picture quality is awesome.

The notebook you're interested in suit suit your needs very well when it comes to resolution.

 

Welcome to the forums. I have merged your question to the thread with a lot of discussion about the differences between the two screens. Please peruse the discussion and feel free to ask any further questions you may have.