With Warmer Weather Comes a Need for an Enhanced Display

That's right, as we approach spring; you might want to think real hard about getting an enhanced display in your next notebook. In our forums we often battle back and forth about standard versus enhanced displays, each side extolling the values that make one or the other the right choice. But one argument that so often gets forgotten is the fact that enhanced displays are superior when being used outside. This point is not debatable and this past week in Florida has reminded me that not everyone wants to use their notebooks inside.

Sure, most of us who own notebooks are a little geeky, kind of comes with the hardware. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the outdoors and possibly even computing outside. In years past this wasn't even an option, but the new enhanced displays that have hit the market over the past year or two have changed the scene substantially.

Whether it's called CrystalView, XBRITE, TruBrite, BrightView or something of the like, the concept is the same. A reflective layer is placed on top of the display to help make the colors more vibrant, whites more white and everything more clear. They're all pretty good and getting better quite quickly. Fujitsu for instance just released a new generation of CrystalView displays with the N3510. The difference between it and my "older" P7000 is remarkable.

As these enhanced displays get better it's more fun to watch a DVD and play a game, but it's also easier to work outside. Traditional displays get washed out in sunlight, rendering them essentially useless. The coating on enhanced displays doesn't make the sun harmless, but it makes a massive difference. Working in the shade is no problem and even direct sunlight while sitting by the pool is tolerable. Trust me...I'm doing it right now as I write this to prove my point.

While I don't recommend using a notebook in the sun too long, the heat builds up quickly; I do think it's important to remember it's possible. So as spring comes closer to those of us up North, remember that enhanced displays will let you un-tether even more. Feel free to work at the pool while the kids swim, at the lake while your husband fishes, or under your favorite shady oak. Because when you buy a notebook with an enhanced display, you don't have to be stuck inside while everyone else is getting a tan or otherwise chilling out.

 

I'm not convinced that Crystal View helps in outdoor use. I was at my sister's outdoor graduation and tried to placate my kids (age 4 and 2) with a movie on my N5010, which has a 16" CV screen. I could barely see anything on the screen because all the colors were so washed out. Everything was in shades of orange and green. This was at dusk with setting sun hitting screen at an acute angle. Maybe this was an extreme situation?

 

Another consideration when using a laptop outside is the color of the notebook casing. I tried using my Thinkpad outside last summer and the black case got to like 150 degrees in 10 minutes. Could've fried an egg on the thing, which means the internals were unhappy! A White Apple iBook is much better suited for reflecting rather than absorbing the heat and the light!

Overall though, the image notebook makers always use of some person on the beach with their laptop is bit of an exageration of just how mobile you can be with a notebook and still be as productive as you need to be.

DigitalCameraReview.com | BargainPDA.com | TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

I have used my friend's Sony w/ that reflective screen outdoors -- I didn't like it -- too much glare. Maybe it was just the angle or something, but no matter how I position myself, it always seems that I'm focusing on the reflection of whatever instead of what's being displayed on the screen.

My Dell 9300 cometh in 2 weeks with the reflecting WUXGA! Will definitely be doing further research into this. haha

cheers,

yass

 

I'm sure direct sun is relaly bad at most angles. As for the glare, I didn't have much of a problem, but I do find a lot of people saying Fujitsu has less glare than Sony. I've never used an XBRITE outdoors though.

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

Brightview has a glare that is noticeable outdoors (HP DV1000). I am not a fan of getting grass and sand blowing into the ports of the laptop either. Starbucks, the airport, Amtrak, an Airplane and Barnes and Noble are as outdoors as I will ever get. I will continue to surf on my PDA which is obviously easier to carry (My primary web surfing tool around the house, airports and shopping malls).

Compaq/HP have the Wideview option in addition to Brightview for a better viewing angle.

Sony and Toshibas have nice screens too.



Dell Inspiron 6000
1.6 GHZ Centrino (Sonoma)
WUXGA 15.4" WS
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW
9 Cell Battery x 2
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Targus TL Deluxe Notebook Case
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Palmone Tungsten C/WIFI

 

i have to argee with noahsark. i find it really hard to use my S6231 outside in the DIRECT sunlight (FL here), but outside near the building with some shade is ok.

~RaNDoM

 

Yeah, after surviving melanoma, the first thing I can't wait to do is sit outside in the Arizona sun with my laptop! LOL!

Barry J. Doyle
Editor in Chief
TabletPCReviewSpot.com
www.tabletpcreviewspot.com

 

I'll be in the market for a notebook soon (see signature for what I'm looking for). Will there be any good SXGA+/WSXGA+ or whatever laptops (anything bigger than XGA/WXGA but smaller than WUXGA) with crystalview/xbrite/trubright/brightview/whatever? The new turion acer aspire 5020 has a nice screen but it is only WXGA. The same goes for the fujitsu's I have seen. I may have to resort to a standard screen.

Arima W622
Athlon 64 (Turion) 3200+ | 1gb DDR400 low latency | 60gb 7200 rpm (hopefully SATA w/ NCQ) | 128MB X700 radeon | 15.4" 1680x1050 screen | 1.25" thin | 5.69lb | 4.5 hours battery life
sign me up!