Upgrade the Screen on a Satellite A300

Hi guys,

Maybe I'm the only one on this planet, but doesn't anyone else find the 1280 x 800 screen just a little annoying??

Has anyone managed to upgrade this to a higher resolution screen? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

I have an A300-02500M.

Thanks

 

agreed, just bought my satellite yesterday and i want a higher res!

 

I only have one major gripe with Toshiba and this is it! The Satellite models 15.4" and under all have WXGA (1280x800) and 17" have WXGA+ (1440x900). Those are standard (basic) resolutions and out of place on models topping $1000 that have 2.0GHz+ processors and discrete graphics!

The Toshiba Qosmio models are not much better, especially considering their price and powerful graphics cards. The F55 15.4" (both the $1400 and $1750 models) have a WXGA+ (1440x900) display. The X305 'budget gamer' 17" has the WXGA+ (1440x900)...the same screen resolution as the $650 Satellite L355!

Until very recently, with the introduction of the dv5 models, HP only offered optional resolution choices on their 17" Pavilions. Finally, they offer a choice of the standard WXGA (1280x800) or WSXGA+ (1680x1050) on the 15.4" dv5.

I'm hoping that Toshiba follows HP's move. Dell has offered optional displays, even on budget models, for quite a while. With Toshiba being one of the "big three" in the consumer/retail laptop market (along with HP and Dell), they really have no choice but to do the same....eventually. It's just a matter of when.....

In the meantime, Toshiba does offer display upgrades on configurable Tecra models. The new 14.1" Tecra M10 has the standard WXGA (1280x800) or WXGA+ (1440x900) for $75. The 15.4" Tecra A10 also has a WXGA (1280x800) or WSXGA (1680x1050) for $75. Their predecessors, M9/A9, also offered those options...so it's obvious Toshiba has suppliers for these displays already in place!

As a final note, ToshibaDirect.com pulled their configurable Satellite U400/M300/A300/P300 models about a week ago. It's almost certain that they are updating them to offer the new Centrino2 processors/graphics/wireless options. When they are available again, maybe the optional display issue will be addressed?

 

I like the Tecra A10...the problem is, I've already got a Satellite A300. The other issue is of course the Tecra A10 only has onboard graphics, so no dice there. If you want a Tecra with dedicated graphics...you get screwed for about $3,500 here in Australia!

@allfiredup, I'm reading your last paragraph over and over...did you say that there were (at some point) configurable A300s???? If so, then I shouldn't have any issue upgrading to an aftermarket one right...well...fingers crossed!

I'm thinking of using the WSXGA+ available on the A9. What do you guys think?

Also, has anyone managed to find a service manual for one of these new Satellite A300s?

 

Any more info on this? I've noticed that there is an A300D available in the UK with a WXGA+ screen.