T42 resolution

[demp]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and after reading for a few days it looks like there's a very knowledgeable group of folks here. I have recently bought a used T42 with the 64mb Radeon 9600 and I noticed that on all resolutions besides 1400x1050 the display is very washed out. I'm used to 1024x768 (I also have a T23). I'm using Omega drivers right now and have increased the fonts in XP and my browsers. It's tolerable but just wanted to be sure that is normal for the 9600 on those resolutions. 1400x1050 is the only normal looking (as in not washed out) resolution available. Thanks!!

[pianowizard]

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately, this problem is common to all LCD monitors and there isn't a way to get around it.

Do you find things too small at 1400x1050? I recommend you to try using this resolution for a while longer and see if you can get used to it. When I started upgrading to high-resolution screens (from 1024x768 to 1280x800, then 1400x1050, then 1600x1200, then 1920x1200, and finally 2048x1536), I too needed some time to adjust to them. 1400x1050 provides 87% more working area than 1024x768 and thus can increase your producitivity dramatically.

[FTC]

Hi,

The 1400 x 1050 pix screen is a pleasure to work with. My recommended setting is just to set the DPI setting to 'large size' (120DPI), with font size set to 'normal' and making sure that cleartype is activated. This way you end up with something with not much smaller letter size than a 'regular' 1024x768 screen, but extremely better defined, and you have always the option to 'zoom' things much more...

.. just a personal view though..

[demp]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, how small everything is what threw me off. After some reading here I changed the DPI and fonts in Firefox and Opera. I really just wanted to ensure my T42 is acting normally or perhaps needed a different driver.

[Johan]

I suggest you take a look in the thread T43p text is too small. Help w Optimum display setting and there see the post by slagmi of Sun Jun 26, 2005 12:01 am.

If you Search this forum after "Cleartype" you will find many further, useful threads and suggestions - such as e.g. Enhance font display by activating windows cleartype etc etc.

As pointed out by many users, you should try not to decrease the resolution from the native 1400x1050 pixels to e.g. 1024x768 (except as the very last resort!), as this will wash out things quite badly. It is by far better to increase font size as suggested.

Best regards,

Johan

[demp]

I followed the links and have tweaked the laptop more to my liking now. Thanks for the assistance!!