Why are LCDs almost always low resolution?

[glugglug]

Especially the ones you are stuck with on a laptop.

I would kill for my work laptop to be 1600x1200 instead of 1024x768 (they use ultra-portable 12" ones).

Using the same pixel density as an i-pod would actually bring a 12" screen to around 1920x1440. You can obviously read it with that pixel density on the ipod.

Why does noone do this for either laptop or desktop LCDs?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Because most people don't want to have to use a magnifying glass to read text on a 1600x1200 12" screen?
I found it hard on my eyes looking at my 17" laptop screen at 1920x1200 after using it awhile, once I went back to a desktop and got a 20" screen with 1680x1050 I was happier. Still plenty of real estate and I can read it without being a few inches from the screen

 

[WobbleWobble]

Buy a Dell where you can choose your screen resolution or a high end laptop. You have choice on a laptop, but you don't have choices for desktop monitors. I know a lot of middle-aged people who find it hard to read off a desktop's 17" LCD native resolution as is.

 

[zephyrprime]

Lack of consumer interest. Lack of good OS support for resolution independence.