Laptop: 4:3 vs. 16:9 - pros/cons

[dennis hs]

Hello

I'm thinking about getting a laptop, but a little unsure whether I should get a 4:3 or 16:9.

I spend about 5-10% on games, so that should not be the main reason (though I'm sure to buy one with Radeon 9700 (EDIT: Damn that 'X')).

I will propably (in my sparetime) use it for webdesign etc. and maybe some music recording (a little unsure on that part), and DVDs.

Otherwise, I will use it for C++/# programming in school and for reports.
---

Is widescreen good for websurfing?

And how good is Crystal View really?

 

[DarkAmeba]

16.9 is nice for DVD's. I really like the wide display on my powerbook. I would go wide if you're not too worried about overall size.

 

[ssvegeta1010]

More screen area can help for programming and websurfing. Plus 16:9 DVDs are awesome.

 

[dennis hs]

So 16:9 is all good?

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: dennis hs
(though I'm sure to buy one with Radeon 9700 (not enough money for X300)).

Why would you get an X300? Its the equivelant of a 9200, get the 9700 damnit!

 

[WackyDan]

4:3 or 16:9 are both the same number of pixels. If you like multi-monitor environments, try the widescreen. WIdescreens, while noted for their DVD playback, have proven themselves to be a boost to user's productivity as they are wide enough to have two apps viewable at once on the screen. Less vertical space to work with in apps though, and depending on the apps, that may be a hinderance.

 

[blueshoe]

Get the widescreen. After getting mine, it feels nasty working on my 4:3 crt, even though its actually bigger. Oh, and the aspect ratio for most widescreen laptops are actaully 16:10 and not 16:9 I believe.

 

[vegetation]

Widescreen is great for school work, since you have extra room for spreadsheets and can place documents side by side for editing.

 

[John Nousis]

Get a wide screen. It help help you with programming work as well. However if you do a lot of browsing you might consider the 4:3.

 

[dennis hs]

wauw.. thanks for the replies

In the words of Saddam: "Hey relax guys.. You need to take a brake!" -- Just got lured by the 'X' I guess..

Is Acer any good? Saw the Acer TravelMate 4002WLMi and it looks pretty nice..

http://global.acer.com/products/notebook/tm4000.htm#

 

[ishtok]

Years ago I had worked for someone who owned an Acer TravelMate notebook.
Ever since then Acer TravelMate notebooks still ranks on the top five makes.

In fact, I had just bought one Acer TravelMate 4000 last week after comparing the market in terms of features, performance and price.

I'm sure you'll have many happy years with an Acer TravelMate.

 

[dennis hs]

Just made an updated list: http://asatech.org/jihadsux/laptops_en.xls

What do you think?

PS. GREENdata is a Danish company in case you were wondering..

 

[trikster2]

Originally posted by: sheik124

Originally posted by: dennis hs
(though I'm sure to buy one with Radeon 9700 (not enough money for X300)).

Why would you get an X300? Its the equivelant of a 9200, get the 9700 damnit!

X300 is about equal to the mobility 9600. X600 gets you 9700 performance.


Should be fine for light gaming.

16:9 can be good or bad for web browsing. On a site like this it's good, the full screen is taken advantage of. But other sites such as CNN still seem designed for 800x600. You'll fill maybe 1/2 of your wide screen and stare at a lot of wide space. For web sites not using the full screen a 15.4" widescreen feels like browsing the web with a 14 or 13" 4:3

For working on documents the 4:3 is much better. I'm scrolling way to much when editing on my wide screen.

Program? Don't program but some say with all the windows 16:9 rocks.

DVDs and games (if they support it) 16:9 all the way.