Need Advice on Laptop Screen....

I'm researching a laptop, mainly for work. 90% of my time on this laptop will be spent editing MS Word reports (plain black and white, no color, no graphics, Arial 11pt. font, some days up to 5/6 hours, my preferred view has always been 'print layout'). I likely settle on a 14" size. I'd prefer the "best for this task" even if it means sacrifices for other tasks. What factors should I consider, i.e. matte v. glossy, contrast ratio, resolution, brightness, impact on eyestrain, etc.

 

I think the first thing you need to do is take a trip to a computer store and take a look at some of the laptops they have on display.

What resolution and size monitor do you currently use?

Matte screens are generally thought of as more comfortable on the eyes. Since you are going with a 14" screen, anything higher than XGA or WXGA might be too high of a resolution for you.
I think a matte 14" WXGA screen would be a nice fit for your needs, but like I said, go to a computer store and look for yourself.

 

What Chaz said...

Also, since you're probably in an office with fluorescent lighting - most cheaper glossy displays have a problem with that, giving you lots of glare.

Personally, I don't have a problem using my glossy laptop all day, or with fluorescent lighting around - but I also have a 17" screen, so since I like Word etc to fill up the screen, everything's magnified ~170%. Looks great! (As a plus, get to work out those arms when I need to take it to work! Though 10 lbs or whatever is too heavy when put in a shoulder bag.)

Malia

 

Thanks Chaz for the feedback. You're likely right that a matte, XGA or WXGA is the way to go. I really like the 17' LCD matte display I have on my home desktop. Getting the answer to your question on it's resolution took me on "a bit of a journey!" It's a BenQ 17" LCD FP731 on Radeon FSC. In the display settings window, I discovered the resolution bar can be draged to 5 settings (800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x768, and 1280x1024). It was set (likely since I got it) on 1024x768. I tryed the 800x800 and everything got larger and less sharp. When I tryed to go to the 3 higher resolutions, I got a message saying I need an updated driver to do it and that my current driver limits me to standard XGA. Also, it appears that the 1280x768 setting shifts to widescreen. So, my questions?
1. Does my LCD offer both standard and widescreen options, that I could switch for different tasks, eg word processing v. web surfing?
2. If I download a new driver, I assume I could compare one of my Word reports in XGA versus WXGA; giving me a 'first hand' look!
3. Do notebooks offer such adjustments?
4. I looked at several dozen laptops on display in local stores and my impression/feeling seems to be saying - "matte attracts while gloss distracts'.

What do you say?

 

Hi Marli - I posted a few extra Qs in response to Chaz. Yes, my office has fluorescent lights, but not so a factor as my desk is adjacent to large windows that face north so direct sun not an issue either.

One reason I like the 'print view' in Word is that I can adjust for look - paragraph lenght, etc. while I'm editing. 12.1" screens don't appeal to me. I'd take 15.4" in a low weight machine. 14" seems a good fit. I have an editor for typos, grammer slips, etc. I blew up my 11 point to 14 (while he was waiting for new reading glasses) - I hated working with it; on screen and in print.

I looked at a 21" LCD matte today in a store - great!. Maybe I have a 'subconscious' aversion to gloss as I experience the same reaction to lipstick!

 

Is the radeon FSC a desktop video card? with the latest driver from ati I think you should be able to set the screen to be more than xga.

notebooks can gives you different resolution but whatever specifications the notebook says means it will look best on the screen and is also the max resolution that the screen of notebook can take and no more.

 

Since you are on an XGA resolution right now, going to WXGA is probably your best bet.
How much portability do you need with this notebook? You might want to go with a larger screen - 15.4". The HP nx7400 is worth a look.

Your current LCD is a standard aspect 17" panel. If you change the resolution to widescreen, everything will be distorted (stretched vertically).

It's not good to run at a different resolution other than the native (the native resolution is the resolution the monitor is designed to be used at) because everything looks blurry. To update your video drivers, do a Windows Update - Start, Programs, Windows Update. Do a custom scan and look on the left hand side when it finishes scanning for Hardware updates.

I think it would be best if you did that in the computer store. Doing it on the desktop monitor won't be the same because as I said, the picture will get stretched.

That's an innovative saying, I never thought of that. But, it does make sense. Another thing about glossy screens is that they attract dust and fingerprints and are quite hard to clean. They are also less durable.

 

A quick cut n paste search shows your BenQ LCD monitor native resolution is 1280x1024 (SXGA). Your video drivers are probably corrupt, never installed (using standard windows generic) or are the wrong ones... Your currently running non-native resolution (1024x768) meaning everything looks slightly blur but bigger. You'll notice a dramatic improvement in sharpness when running at its native res.

Under display properties > advanced button > adaptor tab

From here use google to search for the video driver.

I think XGA or WXGA is good for your needs. Check if you prefer widescreen or standard ratios 4:3.

 

Boon 27 reply - Does a computer automatically put the new driver into effect upon downloading, or do I need to do more to put it into operation mode once I download it?

 

Easy2remeber reply - I followed your instructions to go to 'adapter tab', but that tab has no option for going to Google? I'm missing the connection - forgive the novice ignorance!

 

Chaz Reply - I went to Windows update and it showed only 2 hardware updates (1 for soundcard and 1 for printer): none for monitor. Where to from here? I sent an e-mail bto BenQ technical support.

 

NOW, GET THIS!! Follow this thread as proof of how the generous help from others on this site can benefit you - even if you can't comprehend how it happened! I downloaded a new driver (so it says). Now, I can switch between all 5 resolution options. The widescreen 1280x768 is alright, as it is widescreen and shows more of the layout, but it's appearence is "ragged" as individual letters in a word vary in look (black bold to fuzzy grey). I'm typing this in the 1280x1024 mode (shows more of layout, text is smaller, but text is sharper and totally consistent in look! I like this! It goes to show that it's never too late for an aged dinosaur to add a little spice to life!

Ez2remember likely "hit the nail on the head" with respect to the advantage of "native resolution". Hey, i'm embrassed, given I had it 2 years; but hey, I drove my truck for 2 years without knowing it had an airbag. Then again, even tech heads struggle to "keep above water" these days.

 

With a little more exploration, I found that the 1280x1024 setting is best (for me) when working on a Word report in print layout view but the 1024x768 setting is better for the internet, like viewing this site.

How do I translate this knowledge to a laptop?

 

First of all, I'm glad you found a driver suitable for your hardware. Native resolution is the only way to use an LCD in my opinion for most tasks.

1280x1024 (SXGA) doesn't exist on laptops; you can get similar resolutions however.
If you're going for a 15.4" laptop, WXGA would be very similar (1280x800). It has the same horizontal amount of pixels, but is shorter in the vertical by 224 pixels.
WXGA is the most common widescreen resolution, so you'll be able to go to any computer store and see it on a laptop.

WXGA is a widescreen version of XGA (1024x768).

 

That's good to know and helps narrow the choice! By the way, today I spent some time on the internet (including here) in the 1280x1024 mode on my LCD and found it alright. With respect to my Word reports, there is no question this mode best suits my editing needs.

You're saying 1280x800 on a 15.4 laptop will provide the most similar look on screen. At this point, I'm leaning toward a T.Pad T60 14" or possibly the 15" Flexview. Any thoughts on this?

 

I did have time to look at a variety of screens. I also roamed around this site and read various threads on screens. I'v decided to go with a 14" / 14.1" matte screen, 1280x800 WXGA. The HP nc6400 offers this.

It's frustrating that the stores do not carry the upper-end business notebooks like the T.Pads or the HP line noted above. So I did a little net working 'off the web'. A business owner (met him in a computer store) invited me to his offices - his 40 employees all use laptops of various makes/models. That'll be neat!

 

Now that's neat is right. Let us know what you think.

Sorry for not getting to this question sooner:

1280x800 on a 15.4" is generally similar to a 17" 1280x1024, yes.

If you're going for a standard aspect notebook, I'd recommend an SXGA+ resolution. It's like SXGA, but, well, higher. Your only other alternative is XGA, which is much too low in my opinion for anything.

 

Good advice on the SXGA+, as I haven't ruled out the possibility of a standard aspect screen yet!

 

Chaz - Thanks for the input. I'm settled on some options: definitely a Matte screen, 14 or 15", WXGA 1280 x 800. One last question! How does the look of a Word doc change with WXGA versus WXGA+?

 

Horizontally it won't change; you won't be able to see any more with the higher resolution screen in that direction because the page won't take up that much space.
Vertically, you'll have 100 pixels more space which probably means 5 or so lines more of text you can see.
WXGA+ is a nice balanced resolution in my opinion.

Hope that helps.

 

FWIW, I have the old eye thingy too...reading glasses to cut my fingernails anymore...

I just bought a new system with a matte 17" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) display. I am using the standard 96dpi font setting and set XP to use large fonts and icons. It's GREAT and very easy to read with a ton of room for keeping several windows open at the same time where you can actually see them.

Something you will find when you shop for laptops locally is most of the systems with 17" displays are only WXGA off-the-shelf. Meaning do not assume that just because the display is larger in physical size that the resolution is higher. Always ask and make sure it is exactly what you are wanting as nothing is more disappointing then working with a system everyday that you are not 100000% happy with.

BTW, mine is an HP NX9240...so far it is such an improvement over that POS Inspiron I used for several years it's not funny. Plus many of the 17" systems include a keypad which is GREAT. But the weight is a trade off at about 7-1/2lbs. w/o the ultra battery attached. But I love the large display and would not trade 3-4lbs in weight for a smaller display ever again...