Which notebook display to get?

[DoctorCarta]

I am about to purchase a laptop for school this upcoming semester.Mainly going to use the laptop for school work but occasionally watch movies and little bit of light gaming. Is 1280 x 800 high enough? This laptop needs to last for a good 3 to 4 years. Currently looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834220103

Thanks

 

[6000SUX]

Linky no worky. That resolution is suitable for a very small (read: ultraportable) widescreen model, and no larger.

 

[DoctorCarta]

Originally posted by: 6000SUX
Linky no worky. That resolution is suitable for a very small (read: ultraportable) widescreen model, and no larger.

your response doesn't make sense to me and i fixed the link.

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: DoctorCarta

Originally posted by: 6000SUX
Linky no worky. That resolution is suitable for a very small (read: ultraportable) widescreen model, and no larger.

your response doesn't make sense to me and i fixed the link.

Let me break it down: the resolution is good for a small machine only. Sensible? What's so hard to get?

The pixel pitch would be almost ridiculously low for such a large screen. If the contrast is high enough, it'd be good for someone with eyesight problems, but otherwise you'll be cheating yourself for the next several years. You should take better advantage of all that screen space.

Since you want to do light gaming, about the only advantage I can see is that the video card will be stressed less at its native resolution.

 

[DoctorCarta]

Originally posted by: 6000SUX

Originally posted by: DoctorCarta

Originally posted by: 6000SUX
Linky no worky. That resolution is suitable for a very small (read: ultraportable) widescreen model, and no larger.

your response doesn't make sense to me and i fixed the link.

Let me break it down: the resolution is good for a small machine only. Sensible? What's so hard to get?

The pixel pitch would be almost ridiculously low for such a large screen. If the contrast is high enough, it'd be good for someone with eyesight problems, but otherwise you'll be cheating yourself for the next several years. You should take better advantage of all that screen space.

Since you want to do light gaming, about the only advantage I can see is that the video card will be stressed less at its native resolution.

got cha, first post i was reading two different ways.so when you say id be "cheating myself the next several years" that i should go ahead and find something with a higher resolution?i would like to stay around a 15inch wide screen so i can take it around campus/in classrooms.whats your opinion on a 14inch wide screen?i am having trouble finding a laptop for around $1,000 to 1,2000 that fits the specs of:

> intel core 2 duo
> 512mb+
> dvd/cd-burner
> dedicated graphics(vista/aero capable)
> preferably 15inch wide screen 1400x1050+
> 1 year warranty(hardware), should it be longer?
> 40gb+ hard drive

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

I'm running 1280 x 800 and it is great. Good for gaming on a laptop because the resolution is close to 1024 x 768 and isn't really demanding. I'm using a Asus S96J with a ATI x1600 though...

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: DoctorCarta
got cha, first post i was reading two different ways.so when you say id be "cheating myself the next several years" that i should go ahead and find something with a higher resolution?i would like to stay around a 15inch wide screen so i can take it around campus/in classrooms.whats your opinion on a 14inch wide screen?i am having trouble finding a laptop for around $1,000 to 1,2000 that fits the specs of:

> intel core 2 duo
> 512mb+
> dvd/cd-burner
> dedicated graphics(vista/aero capable)
> preferably 15inch wide screen 1400x1050+
> 1 year warranty(hardware), should it be longer?
> 40gb+ hard drive

Gotcha, and I apologize for not being more lucid. Normally I don't recommend Dell, but your budget and specs almost demand it. It's too bad you can't spend $1500, but if you can't you can't... check out the Dell 6400 here:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/fe...px/hot_offers_nb?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

You can upgrade the screen etc. and still be kicking it with 2GB RAM for less than 1200.

 

[DoctorCarta]

just purchased this for $1190 shipped,hopefully it was a good deal.

Inspiron E1505, Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5500 (2MB/1.66GHz/667MHz)

15.4 Inch UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-screen WSXGA+, for Inspiron 6400/E1505

1GB, DDR2, 533MHz 2 Dimm for Inspiron 6400/E1505

256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemory, for Inspiron 6400/E1505

80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, English without Media, for Inspiron

Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron

8X DVD+/-RW Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505

SoundBlaster Advanced Audio for XPS M1710

Dell Wireless 1500,Minicard,USfor Inspiron ("N" internal wireless)

85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Inspiron 6400/E1505

1 Year Limited Warranty

Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium, Free plus S and H payable at redemption

Upon receipt of PC, Go to www.dellvistaupgrade.com to redeemVista upgrade by 03/31/2007

1 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: DoctorCarta
just purchased this for $1190 shipped,hopefully it was a good deal.

Inspiron E1505, Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5500 (2MB/1.66GHz/667MHz)

15.4 Inch UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-screen WSXGA+, for Inspiron 6400/E1505

1GB, DDR2, 533MHz 2 Dimm for Inspiron 6400/E1505

256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemory, for Inspiron 6400/E1505

80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, English without Media, for Inspiron

Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron

8X DVD+/-RW Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505

SoundBlaster Advanced Audio for XPS M1710

Dell Wireless 1500,Minicard,USfor Inspiron ("N" internal wireless)

85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Inspiron 6400/E1505

1 Year Limited Warranty

Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium, Free plus S and H payable at redemption

Upon receipt of PC, Go to www.dellvistaupgrade.com to redeemVista upgrade by 03/31/2007

1 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

I like it! The only weak spot is the warranty, which I think you really need for a Dell. Is there any way you can squeak an extra bit of cash for that? I'd sacrifice things like audio and DVDRW drive in order to upgrade the warranty if necessary. You will be pretty unhappy if it breaks in the 13th month.

 

[DoctorCarta]

hrm, i was worried about that as well...how much longer?

 

[DoctorCarta]

3 year enough?

 

[DoctorCarta]

dells department is closed so ill have to wait till Tuesday to change to 3 year warranty.Thanks

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: djmihow
I'm running 1280 x 800 and it is great. Good for gaming on a laptop because the resolution is close to 1024 x 768 and isn't really demanding. I'm using a Asus S96J with a ATI x1600 though...

I feel the same way. I like the size of the text on a 1280x768 screen. Sometimes, it does lack in the vertical, but not a big deal for me. Running an Asus W3J (14' WXGA, ATI MR X1600).

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: DoctorCarta
3 year enough?

Yep, should be plenty. If it's still working for you after that you're into the golden years.

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: djmihow
I'm running 1280 x 800 and it is great. Good for gaming on a laptop because the resolution is close to 1024 x 768 and isn't really demanding. I'm using a Asus S96J with a ATI x1600 though...

I feel the same way. I like the size of the text on a 1280x768 screen. Sometimes, it does lack in the vertical, but not a big deal for me. Running an Asus W3J (14' WXGA, ATI MR X1600).

But if you had more resolution, you could just up the size of the text and other elements when necessary, and the edges would still be nice and crisp. When it comes down to it you can squeeze more text in on a lower-res screen with small fonts, but it doesn't work quite as well. I used to be a programmer so I'm admittedly biased towards getting more lines of text on screen in a readable way. I also think that most people would adapt easier to higher resolutions, and may not know what they're really missing; but if you're not doing text-heavy work it's maybe not so important anyway.

 

[alimoalem]

i actually like my 1280x800 resolution on my hp dv2000t (14").

Doctor Carta, the HP dv6000t would be another option. here's the specs you asked for:

CPU: C2D T5500
OS: Windows XP MCE
RAM: 1gb
Optical: DVD/CD-RW
Graphics: Go 7400
Networking: Intel PRO 3945ABG upgrade
HDD: 80GB 5400rpm SATA
Display: BrightView upgrade
battery: 12-cell
----------------
Total: $1068 - $50 rebate = $1018

+ 2year/3year warranty: $92/$152

Total with warranty: $1110 or $1170 (depending on if you get a 2yr or 3 yr warranty).
i'm pretty sure the screen is 1280x800 but again, i'm perfectly fine with it on my laptop (although it is a 14"). i would suggest you got to a local bestbuy or something and check out the laptops there to see if 1280x800 is enough for you or if you do need to go up to 1440x900.

if the HP doesn't work for you, do not go with the inspiron e1505. the dell latitude D620 is MUCH better. here's what you can get for $1057:

CPU: C2D T5500
OS: XP Home
Screen: 14.1" Wide Screen WXGA+
RAM: 512mb (1 dimm) add $79 for 1gb (2x512mb)
HDD: 60GB
Optical: DVD/CD-RW
Video Card: 256MB NVIDIA Quadro NVS 110M
Wireless Card: Intel 3945 upgrade
Battery: 9-cell
Warranty: 3 year BUSINESS warranty (NOT what the inspirons get)

you also have the option for a fingerprint reader, if you want it. it comes out to $1136 with 1gb of ram. come to think of it, this actually might be a better deal than the HP posted above. the video card will handle Vista/Aero fine but i'm not sure how it would fare in games. it shouldn't do horribly but probably worse than the 7400Go.

i actually prefer 14" over 15" because of its size and weight. the D620 would be perfect for a 14", the HP for the 15", imo

 

[DoctorCarta]

i guess ill check out bestbuy on tuesday...i am hoping i can cancel my dell order but i cant get a hold of them b.c. of the holidays...

 

[DoctorCarta]

also, could i even order that D620 , its small business.don't i have to have a business license or something?

 

[DoctorCarta]

dang, dell already pulled the money from my account.that was fast!well, i sent dell an email saying i wanted my order canceled.

 

[Ruptga]

I also like my 1280x800 res, it's almost exactly 720p (1280x720) which I understand is what most DVDs natively run. You could step up to a 1440x900 (I think that's the res anyway) but you'll probably want a 7700 or 1600 to run such a res in games, and I know that's out of your price range.

 

[6000SUX]

People often like what they've got, and recommend or defend it. To anyone considering a laptop purchase, the best advice I can give is to go to a retailer and try several for yourself. Anyone who does work on their computer will appreciate extra resolution for its usefulness. Anyone who buys a laptop to watch movies on it will of course have different ideas about usefulness.

 

[Ruptga]

Oh I do work on my laptop, but the nearly-native DVD res is a nice perk.

Unless the OP probably won't care unless he's going to a lower res than he had used before. Even going to 1280x800 when you're used to 1024x768 is pretty sweet, mostly because I didn't know what I was missing, but it's sweet nonetheless.

But anyway, yes, there's no doubt that what they're planning on using the thing for will always be a huuuge factor in deciding what they really want.

 

[DoctorCarta]

might buy this one if dell refunds me! what you think? is the duo 2 5200 plenty enough speed?
dv6000t

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: DoctorCarta
might buy this one if dell refunds me! what you think? is the duo 2 5200 plenty enough speed?
dv6000t

i have the core duo T2050 (1.6GHz), making the T5200 basically the core 2 duo version of the T2050. i am not bottlenecked whatsoever by my cpu, but then again i don't do anything too tasking on my laptop. is gaming going to be the only stressful thing you'll be doing on the laptop? if you're asking whether it's worth upgrading to the T5500 or not, from what i see, the only difference is 60MHz. if there's any mobile cpu guru out there that could maybe clarify on this, i would be thankful.

the dv6000t does look good on paper, and if it's as good as the dv2000t in all other regards, i would strongly recommend it. about the D620, it is a small business laptop so a small business account is needed but i'm sure there's someone that can make the purchase for you. my friend got a D620 maybe 2-3 weeks ago and his friend purchased it for him. if that's too much of a hassle or you can't find someone and the 6000t doesn't work out for you, i would try to modify your e1505 purchase. windows XP media center is not worth the extra cost, so you can save like $80 there. i would also get the standard sound option on the laptop and, unless you have a wireless-n router, drop down to the intel 3945 wireless card instead of the "N" one.

 

[DoctorCarta]

i received confirmation from dell that my order was canceled.the reason i upgrade to "N" was for future reasons...possibly one day it might become a standard.upgraded the sound well b.c. to sound better? i think the reason why i upgraded to media edition was b.c. it allowed me to get the free vista upgrade?i heard there is a huge difference in performance between core duo and core duo 2.i just cant decide how high up in Ghz i should go?if i do any gaming it will be extremely "light", the system will mainly be used for school work/in-class room/dvds/surfing the net.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!