Is a 12.1 XGA screen too small in a laptop?

[bolido2000]

I'm thinking to get a laptop for college and the Dell D400 seems to be a good balance of features/price/weight. I am wondering if a 12.1 screen is too small. The D500 has a 14.1 screen but it runs at the same resolution (XGA). What do you guys think? Also, the optical drive of the D400 is external, which I think should be ok as I don't use the CD-rom that much at home anyways, but it would suck to need it when I am not carrying it.

 

[LouPoir]

That's small

 

[oaaltone]

I have an IBM X31 with the 12.1" XGA screen and I feel it is very comfortable size. 14.1" XGA displays feel too "big" to me -- I'm much more confortable with an SXGA+ display at 1400x1050 for a 14.1" screen.

 

[PeterY]

On a notebook, XGA on a 12.1 will be fine.

Peter

 

[UltraWide]

Originally posted by: olliebg
I have an IBM X31 with the 12.1" XGA screen and I feel it is very comfortable size. 14.1" XGA displays feel too "big" to me -- I'm much more confortable with an SXGA+ display at 1400x1050 for a 14.1" screen.

EXACTLY.

 

[erikistired]

i've got an 11.3" screen on mine, but i have an ultracompact laptop. i like it fine, but it's only 800x600 resolution which bugs me. but 12.1" will probably be fine as long as you aren't expecting a huge screen.

 

[Shanteli]

Originally posted by: UltraWide

Originally posted by: olliebg
I have an IBM X31 with the 12.1" XGA screen and I feel it is very comfortable size. 14.1" XGA displays feel too "big" to me -- I'm much more confortable with an SXGA+ display at 1400x1050 for a 14.1" screen.

EXACTLY.

I'm totally opposite. 12.1 is crazy small just like SXGA+ on a 14.1 I think the perfect size is 1024x768 on a 14.1

 

[sciencewhiz]

Originally posted by: Shanteli

I'm totally opposite. 12.1 is crazy small just like SXGA+ on a 14.1 I think the perfect size is 1024x768 on a 14.1

I agree.

Bottom line is to go to a B&M store and check out the displays there.

 

[sparkyclarky]

I have a 12.1 XGA on my C400 and think it's fine.

 

[dnuggett]

It's a matter of personal preference, and really isn't all that cut and dry. You'll need to check them out for yourself. I have toyd with getting an iBook or Powerbook with the 12" screen (just to have an Apple) but I think I may regret the 12" screen.

 

[nightowl]

We have some Latitude X200's at work that have 12.1" XGA screens and the screen is fine. Once you get up to the 14" and 15" screens with XGA I feel the display is less sharp. The LCD pixels are too big and the display is not as sharp as SXGA 14" and 15" screens. I really wish they would make 15" desktop LCDs with resolutions other than 1024x768.

 

[Wuzup101]

Remember, if you eventually need a bigger screan you can go with a docking station + 17" (or whatever size) lcd (or crt). This will still let you have the portability of a laptop but with the large screan of a desktop. IMHO that is a good rez for that screan size. I would want more rez if I went to a bigger screan.

 

[GnomeCop]

XGA looks pretty good on a 12.1, go any larger and it will have to be SXGA for it to be comfortable

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: GnomeCop
XGA looks pretty good on a 12.1, go any larger and it will have to be SXGA for it to be comfortable

I have seen quite a few 14 and 15" laptops and all of them were comfortable w/ XGA. Not the sharpest, but they are comfortable.

Once again this is a matter or opinion, and you really need to see for yourself.

 

[ericboo]

I have a P4M Vaio 505 BX with a 12.1" screen and I love it. I needed something very small and compact for my kitchen, that had a built-in combo drive. I use it most of the time and my wife uses the desktop with my 17" LCD. I was not sure at first about the small screen but you become very accustomed to it.

 

[merlocka]

Originally posted by: sparkyclarky
I have a 12.1 XGA on my C400 and think it's fine.

Ditto.

The other laptops that our IT deploys have the 14.1" 1400x... I find I'd rather have 1024x768 on a 12.1