Isn't UXGA...tiny?

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safelder · #1 Post by **safelder** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 1:42 pm

I'm about ready to order a T43, and I'm having difficulty settling on a monitor. I've read all the 14 vs. 15 and SXGA vs. UXGA threads, and I still have some questions.

I should start by pointing out that I don't care whether I have the 128MB video card or the 64MB one, as I don't plan to do any gaming on the laptop. Nor do I plan on doing any heavy photo or video editing work. Principal use is going to be business--typically Word, Internet, e-mail, PowerPoint. I've discovered, however, that a 14" SXGA+, 15" SXGA+, and 15" UXGA (CTO) are all within about $200 of each other. Portabililty is of some concern to me--I won't be moving the machine every day (to and from work or school, for example), but I will be taking it on the road with me from time to time. I have seen both the SXGA+ versions, and either seems satisfactory, though the Flexview is clearly better looking. I don't know whether I'm going to be docking the machine or not...I probably will be at some time in the future.

That said, it seems to me that UXGA resolution of 1600x1200 is really tiny on a 15" LCD. I'm presently using an 18" LCD running at 1280x1024--just about even with SXGA+ resolution. I recognize that I sit closer to the notebook screen than the desktop screen, and my eyes are good (thanks to Lasik), but looking at something about 1.5 times finer on a screen that is 3" smaller diagonally just strikes me as uncomfortable, even if I am about half the distance as I am from my desktop screen. Am I analyzing these numbers correctly?

Perhaps the lesson in all this is that I should just go for the 14" and dock the sucker...thanks in advance for responses.

nrj45 · #2 Post by **nrj45** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:14 pm

- the more the definition/screen size, the less the battery
- since SXGA (1280x1024) on a 18'' screen are quite ok for you (as i understood), SXGA+ (1400x1050) on a 15'' would already be much more "tiny" as your current config.
Personnally i love high definition panels (got an inspiron 8200 with UXGA on 15''). If i could, i would have UXGA on my 14'' screen. But the danger is you ought to keep your good vision if you don't want to sell your notebook 2 month later...

Kenn · #3 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:43 pm

I think you're looking at it the right way. If you're used to 1280x1024 on an 18" panel, I'd stick with XGA or at most SXGA+ on a 14-15" laptop. It doesn't sound like you need the higher resolution and things will already look even smaller if you try to cram more pixels onto the screen.

I'd go to CompUSA and check out the display laptops - there'll be plenty of 14-15" units with resolutions ranging from XGA to SXGA+. You probably won't see a UXGA display at that size, but you'll get a good sense of what you're comfortable with regardless.

freddy418 · #4 Post by **freddy418** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:19 pm

the good thing about higher resolutions is that you can increase text sizes from the windows control panel, so that fonts will appear to be the same size while pictures are shrunken, this way, you can have more icons on your desktop and browse webpages without having huge pictures take up the entire viewing screen.

mntbikeracer1 · #5 Post by **mntbikeracer1** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:11 pm

I am on a 15" 1600x1200 screen and I love it. You can get a lot more info on the screen and get a lot done.

ariadgr · #6 Post by **ariadgr** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:13 am

@safelder:

Don't buy the 1600x1200 because I assume you won't like it.
Choose the 1400x1050 instead.

keku · #7 Post by **keku** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:15 am

I Use 15" UXGA and don't feel it's small ... fact is I love it... now I'm so used to it I don't like my Home desktop and office computer. well that's the only risk involved.

Kenn · #8 Post by **Kenn** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:14 am

keku wrote:I Use 15" UXGA and don't feel it's small ... fact is I love it... now I'm so used to it I don't like my Home desktop and office computer. well that's the only risk involved.

Most people who chose 1600x1200 of course love it - it's a self-selecting criteria. But personal testimonies really don't help most people who are choosing a display resolution, because it's so highly personal.

I love my UXGA T42p and would never give it up, but I know for a fact that it simply won't work for the majority of users out there, even if it's just right for me

grimmster · #9 Post by **grimmster** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:37 am

A dept. I know about got in the 42p 15" with the UXGA screen, almost all the employees in the dept (probably 15-20) hated the screen resolution, was too small for them, so all of them were returned for SXGA.

Just going by what you posted, I think SXGA would be good for you.

It really is a personal thing, unless you can try the UXGA before you buy, play it safe and go SXGA.

mzd · #10 Post by **mzd** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 11:24 am

I agree with Kenn, I myself love the UXGA with 1600x1200 very much.

safelder · #11 Post by **safelder** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:02 pm

I'm leaning towards an SXGA+ T43 right now with a Mini-Dock and external monitor. But I'm going to swing by CompUSA tonight and see if I can't get a look at various resolutions--I think there are some non-TP 17" UXGAs out there.

EDIT: Recon complete. I saw one 17" WUXGA monitor on a Sony Vaio. It was small, but crisp and clear. Obviously, the dimensions of a 17" WUXGA are different from a 15" UXGA, but I'm betting they're about the same height. I think I could be comfortable with a UXGA.

Isn't UXGA...tiny?

Isn't UXGA...tiny?

Thanks, y'all

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