is changing default screen resolution that bad?

[thinkweird]

I have a 15" flexview screen and I am very satisfied with its brightness and contrast. However, the fonts are way too small, though clear under the default 1600x1400 resolution.

I want to lower the screen resolution but heard that using a non-default resolution will reduce the display quality. Is it the case?

How many of you guys are using a non-default resolution on your thinkpads?

[pianowizard]

Why don't you just try it? It takes only seconds, and it's easy to change back to UXGA.

But to answer your question, yeah, most LCD monitors (including Thinkpads) I have used look really bad at non-native resolutions. CRT monitors don't have this problem, however.

[thinkweird]

Yes I had tried before I post this thread. However, my experience is quite opposite of yours. The lowered resolution looks pretty pleasant.

Since this does not comply with the general view so I am asking why so many people thinks the opposite.

[christopher_wolf]

Since this does not comply with the general view so I am asking why so many people thinks the opposite.

It doesn't matter what the general view is if yours disagrees with it. It is your Thinkpad, set the resolution at whatever you desire.

LCDs, to most, tend to display things non-optimally at resolutions other than native. Hit Fn+Spacebar to get a view of something like that. Text can get a little rough or fuzzy, screen or field borders can get vauge, etc. Yet that is, to some extent, dependent on how large the resolution change is from native and the perceptions of the user.

[thinkweird]

I asked this thread because I think the information might be useful to other potential buyers who are looking for a better screen but can't tolerate small fonts.

Now I can say that for 15" flexview, lowering resolution does not affect the quality of font display. Instead I feel it is rather pleasant to read on it.


I tried Fn+Space and the the magified display is by no means good, but it is quite different from the display of a lowered resolution.

[davidspalding]

"Too small fonts" is easily fixed in the Display properties (DESK.CPL), Settings, Advanced, DPI setting. I find that 125%'s nice to boost the font sizes in the system.

Another trick is to open Word, line up a real ruler on the screen by the Word ruler, and zoom the Word view until they match. Then set the DPI to that (113% on mine if I recall right). This method puts your onscreen fonts at a true, 100% display. YMMV.