15.4" vs 15" Screen Notebooks & Regular LCD Vs BrightView/ClearView/etc

[QueHuong]

I've been eyeing the Compaq 3410 Laptop, and it sports a 15.4" wide screen and BrightView technology where colors and pictures are very bright.

Now how does this compare with the normal 15" LCDs in terms of doing everyday work? For example, most wallpapers are designed for the 15" screen, so will having a 15.4" screen distort pictures? And is having the BrightView technology tiring on the eyes, or give games a less natural look, or give glare when watching a DVD? Stuff like that.

 

[alteredNate]

I dunno about brightview, but as for the screen size, it depends on the resolution of the screen. The 15" you're looking at is probably 1280x1024, however they go up to 1600x1200. The 15.4 wide it probably more like 1440x1080. So you can do the math to find out how many pixes are displayed.

As for distortion, there won't be any unless you're running things like TV tuners and the TV program stretches to fit the screen. Otherwise DVDs and videos will display at the same proportions as on any other screen. It's just in a wide format.

I have to say I'm a big fan of wide screens, but it's true there are some differences - for instance, a digi photo that's made to fit a 4:3 aspect screen (i.e. a standard 15" screen) will have black borders on the sides when displayed on a wide format screen.

But being able to have 2 web pages side by side is nice sometimes.

 

[corkyg]

A lot of that depends on your use. In my case, I find a 15-in plus screen a bit big when travelling - does not do well on an airplane seat tray in tourist. OK in 1st or Business class.

Also, weight is a factor - when travelling and hauling baggage, I like a laptop that is under 7 lbs -preferably around 5.