t410 external monitor precautionary questions

[flipteo]

I'm looking at getting a t410.

My preferred general computing set-up, is to have my laptop sitting on top of my entertainment centre. On a shelf about 4 feet below that, I have an external monitor connected to the laptop. This way, I can quickly switch back and forth between working standing or sitting, without moving anything. Plus, externals generally have a better picture, which is nice for watching movies, etc.

Anyway, my old setup like this, was with a CRT monitor (1024x768), but it's dead now, and I need something with more viewing area anyway (unfortunately).

The t410 I'm looking at has the 1440x900 resolution, and the external monitor I'm looking at is a used Acer X223W. It's 22'', with a native res. of 1680 x 1050. It has vga, and dvi ports.

The t410, has vga, and a displayport (I'd never even heard of this before) but no dvi. So, the obvious answer is to connect the two with VGA. But, in my research, it seems that sometimes, VGA doesn't work very well once you start to get into these higher resolutions (even though, it's supposed to, or is "rated" to?)?

The other option would be a displayport to dvi converter. Which is 20-30 bucks I'd rather not spend. I might do it if I knew for certain that the picture would not be degraded. But the idea of "converters" and such makes me nervous.

The final option, would be a dock for the t410, which would have dvi. But I have no other reason for getting a dock, so it's less than ideal.

I don't think I'm that picky when it comes to image quality; I just want all of my displays to work to their best capabilities. Example: running a laptop screen, or any LCD, LED monitor on anything other than their native resolutions, because they look like garbage. I miss the days of CRT's that always looked good, no matter what resolution you set them to.

Anyway, before I take the plunge on buying the t410 and the monitor, I hoping someone can help me come to the best decision.

Thanks for reading!

[dr_st]

VGA should work fine at this resolution. Start by just using it. If for some reason it's unsatisfactory, then you can consider other options.

Or you can just get a monitor that has a DisplayPort input.

[RealBlackStuff]

How are you supposed to type anything, when the laptop sits 4 feet above you?

[flipteo]

VGA should work fine at this resolution. Start by just using it. If for some reason it's unsatisfactory, then you can consider other options.

I think the only way I could no for sure ahead of time (i.e. before I buy the monitor) would be to get an answer from someone using the exact same laptop and external screen, with the same cable too. Unlikely I'm going to find that answer anywhere.

Anyway, your comments have clarified things for me. So thanks.

Or you can just get a monitor that has a DisplayPort input.

Those look to be hard to come by, and very very expensive. But yes, an option.

[flipteo]

How are you supposed to type anything, when the laptop sits 4 feet above you?

I use a corded keyboard and mouse when sitting.

[dr_st]

Those look to be hard to come by, and very very expensive.

Really? $219 for a new, high quality monitor is "very very expensive"? Granted it's probably not gonna be as cheap as the used, old, "nothing special" monitor you are looking to get, but DisplayPort is not as obscure as you think.

[pianowizard]

The other option would be a displayport to dvi converter. Which is 20-30 bucks I'd rather not spend.

You can get one for $4 shipped on eBay. I bought a couple of them a while back and both worked well.

the external monitor I'm looking at is a used Acer X223W.

OMG, I have this model and it's easily *the* worst LCD monitor I have ever come across! You should buy it only if it's under $20. I have this monitor only because it came with something else that I bought, and it's currently used by someone in my lab. I wouldn't want to use it myself for more than 5 minutes.

Really? $219 for a new, high quality monitor is "very very expensive"? Granted it's probably not gonna be as cheap as the used, old, "nothing special" monitor you are looking to get, but DisplayPort is not as obscure as you think.

Both you and I are old enough to remember when LCD monitors were premium stuff. I bought my first Dell 2407WFP in Nov 2006 for $581.35 including tax and shipping, and that was during a major sale! (BTW, I sold this monitor just last week on Craigslist for $120.) Nowadays, people have been desensitized to ever-dropping prices. Any monitor over $100 or any laptop over $400 is "very very expensive". My first laptop, which I bought in Aug 2002, was a fairly basic Dell Inspiron 8200 that cost me nearly $1,700!

[flipteo]

You can get one for $4 shipped on eBay. I bought a couple of them a while back and both worked well.

That's good to know. Thanks.

OMG, I have this model and it's easily *the* worst LCD monitor I have ever come across! You should buy it only if it's under $20. I have this monitor only because it came with something else that I bought, and it's currently used by someone in my lab. I wouldn't want to use it myself for more than 5 minutes.

Doh. What in particular sucks about it? Person selling it listed it at $40. Was thinking of offering $30

Really? $219 for a new, high quality monitor is "very very expensive"? Granted it's probably not gonna be as cheap as the used, old, "nothing special" monitor you are looking to get, but DisplayPort is not as obscure as you think.

Yes, 219 is expensive. "Expensive/inexpensive" partly being a subjective thing - dependent on one's level of resources.

You're right on the availability. Found out how to sort by connection. Not as rare as I was thinking.

Nowadays, people have been desensitized to ever-dropping prices. Any monitor over $100 or any laptop over $400 is "very very expensive". My first laptop, which I bought in Aug 2002, was a fairly basic Dell Inspiron 8200 that cost me nearly $1,700!

Yeah, dropping prices are great. I don't miss the days of spending $1000 every two-three years just to keep a relevant computer around. Who would??

[pianowizard]

Doh. What in particular sucks about it?

Whenever people say an LCD monitor is bad, they always mean the same issues: narrow viewing angles, low contrast, poor colors, and overall dull appearance. Well, this particular Acer is VERY bad, so just add the word "very" to each of these phrases.

Yeah, dropping prices are great. I don't miss the days of spending $1000 every two-three years just to keep a relevant computer around. Who would??

Dropping prices are great as long as quality is still acceptable. Virtually none of the sub-$400 laptops that I have seen at Best Buy or Micro Center is acceptable. For reasonably big monitors (i.e. 21.5" or larger), I have come across a few decent ones for under $100 but that's only because they were on sale. For example, I got my HP Elite L2201x from Newegg for $90 shipped. It is super thin, uses an IPS panel, and has DisplayPort input.

[flipteo]

Whenever people say an LCD monitor is bad, they always mean the same issues: narrow viewing angles, low contrast, poor colors, and overall dull appearance. Well, this particular Acer is VERY bad, so just add the word "very" to each of these phrases.

Dang it. Thanks for that info.

Dropping prices are great as long as quality is still acceptable. Virtually none of the sub-$400 laptops that I have seen at Best Buy or Micro Center is acceptable. For reasonably big monitors (i.e. 21.5" or larger), I have come across a few decent ones for under $100 but that's only because they were on sale. For example, I got my HP Elite L2201x from Newegg for $90 shipped. It is super thin, uses an IPS panel, and has DisplayPort input.

Oh yeah, I hear you on the on the laptop thing. I'm often called on for tech-support for friends and family. Most of whom have these kinds of machines bought from big-box places. Just horrible. My t42 is ten years old, and still outperforms a lot of them for the basic stuff!

DP port and IPS for 90? That's a great deal. I don't think I've ever even used an IPS screen (unless not knowingly) First time I heard of them was here, with all the Frankenpad talk. My monitor knowledge is still lacking, but I think I'm getting a better grasp on things, these past few days. Needing to upgrade will do that I suppose. Well, that, and all the super-knowledgable people here like yourself.

Thanks again for all your responses!

[pianowizard]

Today I bought a really cheap monitor on Craigslist and was reminded of you. It was a poorly described Dell LCD monitor, for $20. The seller posted a small, low-resolution photo, and didn't say anything about the model or even size. From the photo, it looked like Dell's ST series monitors (21.5", 23" and 24" low-end monitors) and so I emailed the seller saying I would buy it. And I was right: it was an ST2220M (21.5" 1920x1080, with VGA and DVI inputs), which typically sells for around $100 shipped on eBay. Aside from a few minor scratches on the back of the monitor, and two extremely subtle darker spots on the screen, this monitor is in good cosmetic condition and perfect working condition. So, very cheap monitors can be bought now and then, as long as you are patient. BTW, this ST2220M has a much better screen (and higher resolution) than the $40 Acer you were looking at. Still not IPS, but acceptable nevertheless.

Oh yeah, I hear you on the on the laptop thing. I'm often called on for tech-support for friends and family. Most of whom have these kinds of machines bought from big-box places. Just horrible. My t42 is ten years old, and still outperforms a lot of them for the basic stuff!

There is no way your T42 performs better than any of the laptops sold recently at big-box stores, not even the most basic sub-$250 ones. Your T42's Pentium M processor, DDR1 RAM, IDE hard drive and ancient Radeon graphics are no match for any of today's laptops. Your friends' laptops feel slow mainly because of software issues. When I said the current low-budget laptops are terrible, I was referring to their build quality, ugly external designs, and awful screens. A couple years ago I was deeply impressed by a $230 14" Acer laptop at Best Buy, but that was pretty much the only exception I can recall. That Acer had a surprisingly decent screen, fairly light weight, and a professional look that made it look more like a business-class machine than a consumer-class one.