Laptop LCD Resolution

[rijet0711]

Hi.

I am getting the Inspiron 6400 (Canadian version of the E1505) soon. The laptop comes with 15.4" WXGA (1280x800) display. For the 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) display, is it an extra $125.
I will mostly be doing school work (word processing, research), internet browsing, maybe a little gaming (laptops coming with a X1400 256mb video card... should get decent FPS for CSS?). However, I am on a budget. Would the extra resolution justify spending $125?
Thanks.

 

[us3rnotfound]

Those are not different panel sizes, its different resolutions. Personally, I can't work in 1280x800, it depends on what you do, which is mostly school work, so I would highly recommend shelling out the extra $125 for the 1680x1050, getting the lowest memory, and buying yourself cheaper memory online and isntalling that later.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I can't stand 1280x800; it isn't much better than 1024x768. But I am a multitasking fiend and the more I can fit on a screen at once, the better. It is all about preference

 

[phisrow]

It depends on your eyes, mostly. I would die without relatively high resolution(after 1400x1050 on a 14 inch panel, 1024x768 is ghastly); but my eyes are pretty good, and I spend most of my time shoving text around for one reason or another, Xterms, papers, internet, etc.

If you don't have terribly sharp vision, the extra resolution can actually be a hassle. For DVD playing, it doesn't matter much at all. For gaming, lower resolutions are easier on the graphics card; but higher resolutions look nicer.

My advice would be to get the panel upgrade.

 

[Brainonska511]

If you can, try going to a B&M store and looking at the computers they have. Compare the resolutions for yourself to get a feel as to what you should order.

 

[dementedlemur]

I like 1280x800 on a 12.1" ws, but not on a 14.1 or 15.4. My 17" laptop has a 1900x1200 screen and it would be tough for me to adjust to a lower res on this size screen.
The screen is something you won't easily be able to upgrade so I'd recommend going with the WSXGA+ if you're even considering a higher resolution.

 

[rijet0711]

Thanks guys. I think im going to have to go to FS/BB to check out the resolutions myself.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Not to be pessimistic, but you'd have a hard time finding a 15" WSXGA+ laptop at FS/BB to compare with. But personally I'd go for it. I'm a bit disappointed that Dell no longer offer WUXGA. You're young, your eyes aren't bad and you probably multitask a lot. It's definately well worth the money in my opinion.

 

[Enig101]

I have good eyesight, but in the interest of saving money and having smooth gaming performance at native resolution, I have a couple questions.

First, how would 1280x800 on a 15.4" laptop compare to 1280x1024 on a 15" CRT? Second, would you consider 1280x800 too low for web-surfing and MS Word (the only non-game apps I use) provided I don't need multiple windows open next to each other or anything like that.

I do intend to see if I can find a comparison in person at BB (I am buying online, of course). Thanks in advance.

 

[BladeVenom]

I also prefer the extra resolution. The UXGA screen in my old laptop is the main reason I still keep it around.