1680x1050 on 22" screen vs 15.4" laptop

I

IRTxert

n00b
Joined
Mar 29, 2005
Messages
52
Hi, I want 1680x1050 resolution. I have 2 choices. Selling my 1280x800 laptop and getting a 1680x1050, 15.4" one, or just get an external 22" monitor to hook up to my laptop. In either case, I spend about the same.

Mobile 1680x1050 is of course a plus. But, will the text be so small that I have to increase the font size for it to be readable, so that I end up with actually less screen space than a 22"?
 
I can give you a comparison with my current laptop and desktop. I run a 24" LCD @ 1920x1200 and a 17" laptop @ 1920x1200. The laptop definitely has less usable space than the LCD. Its a large enough difference that I prefer to hook up my laptop to my LCD monitor when I am at home.

If you buy the laptop though, that gives you a larger, higher resolution screen everywhere, and not just at home, where the monitor only benefits you at home. Can your current laptop output that resolution to the monitor even? Just some things to think about...
 
1680x1050 on a 15.4" display makes the text too small, IMO. Should be fine on a 22" display. My 15.4" notebook has a 1440x900 display, and it seems just right to me. YMMV.
 
never seen 1680 on a notebook but I love 1920 on the 17" I like small text.
 
I currently have 1680x1050 on my 15.4" laptop and wouldn't get any lower resolution on that size screen. The text is small but still readable because I generally sit closer to my laptop than my desktop. However, if you are going to be working from home most of the time I would recommend getting the monitor, that way you will have the portability of the smaller laptop. A 22" monitor would be easier to use if you plan to use it for longer periods of time.
 
I have a 15.4" laptop @ 1680x1050 + a 22" external with the same resolution. Prior to getting the external, I was pretty comfortable with the small text on the laptop, although it did take some getting used to when I first purchased it. But after getting the external, man does my laptop text look small!

I can still use my laptop screen on the go, but it does take a half hour or so for my eyes to re-adjust to the text being so small.

As to your choice, if you're comfortable with the 1280x800 laptop, just get an external. If you're on the road a lot you might want to get the 1680x1050 laptop, but if you do I highly recommend a laptop stand too, seeing how small this text can get. I would go into a store and check out a 1680x1050 laptop if you can, play around with it a bit and see if you can stand the text size or not.
 
Has anyone tryed 1920 x 1200 on a 15" laptop before? I noticed Dell offers a few laptops with that selection, but I can't imagine how annoying it would be reading text on that screen.

I think the most that I would go with would be 1440 x 900 on a 15" laptop and maybe 1680 x 1050 on a 17" version.
 
I have a 15.4" laptop at 1680x1050. The image is pretty amazing, and text is fine. Then again, my eyesight is pretty good, as it could be a lot smaller text with no trouble.

So while it should be fine for reading (imo), is it worth it? I kinda wish I had saved some money and gone with a 1440x900 that would make it easier to run games fluidly at their native resolution.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top