Windows XP font resizing

hi

i'm buying a new 15.4" laptop and i'm concerned if WSXGA+ resolution will make the fonts too small for me.
is there an effective way of making everything bigger in XP - everything is underlined because if i make DPI changes, there's a big possibility the scaling will make effect on desktop, but other applications, browsers etc. will still remain small, and the letters, dialogues can jump out of the boxes...

so how to make it work?

i'll do a lot of reading on it, so would the WXGA res be a better solution? or should i go for WSXGA+ and try with some changes?

i'm buying a HP 6730b - so the choice is: WXGA or WSXGA+ WVA

tnx

 

I think you would just be better off with a WXGA screen. XP isn't that great at rescaling, so I wouldn't depend on it too much. I've heard Vista is much better in this category. Still, if you're looking to enlarge everything, you might as well go with a lower resolution screen.

 

i've heard that screens with higher resolutions usually have better quality (matrix), wider viewing angles etc. (this one has for sure). the details are on the WSXGA+ side

looking into the future (f.e. a year from now), Vista will probably become more confident so i could use it without any concern...
would it be a better decision to go with WSXGA+?

on the other side, i'm used to 1024x768 D) on my desktop - 17" CRT D)
so this (WXGA) would be the same size, only on a bit smaller screen...

but then again, i'm looking at the laptop screen from a shorter distance than the desktop one... :/

the perfect solution would, i think, be a WXGA+, but there is no such option

 

I personally take the highest resolution, and use display properties to customise the font sizes (menu, bar, dialog ...) , adjusting to higher dpi on display

cheers ...

 

I think, "what am I going to use my laptop for the most?" For me, it's primarily reading and sometimes watching shows (which I won't be able to do much of later on, but that's a different story). Thus, I want the largest font possible. Furthermore, I don't need a ton of screen real-estate and the negative of small text size would hinder the screen real-estate benefit for me anyway (ex. I'd have to increase font size which decreases screen real-estate). The only time where I might benefit from a high res screen is while watching movies and TV shows. I do not do that nearly enough or believe the higher res screen provides enough of a jump in quality to warrant a higher res screen. Plus, when I want to watch something at length (or think it's worthy ), I have my TV for my laptop to plug into. Additionally, my GPU isn't nearly strong enough to run a demanding (i.e. good looking) game at a high resolution anyway which defeats the purpose of using it for gaming. Still, picking a screen resolution is entirely PERSONAL PREFERENCE. Go with the one that works for you.

 

i think your post best describes my needs from the laptop...
tnx for clearing that out

i'm not a demanding user (don't do photoshop, or other graphic intensive work, don't play the newest games; this one has a 4500MHD integrated intel graphics so games aren't even an option here).
all i plan to do (at least at the moment) is: net, music, movies, reading, casual gaming (PES 8 f.e )... and i think WXGA is the best for me... (i was only considering WSXGA+ because of the quality of the matrix, 'cause an expert recommended it to me)

and the whole real estate - font resizing thing - you're totally right!

thanx again!

(and sorry if my english is not so good)

 

Yeah no problem, glad to help. I really think a WXGA is your best option. Though again, it is personal preference.