Are 1920x1200 Screens overkill?

ruski · 8th September 2004, 6:47 PM

I'm set with getting an Inspiron 8600, but one thing that im not sure of is the WUGA screen! Its 1920x1200 and some websites seem to complain that its too small for everyday office use! Is this true? Would it be better off to save the money and get the smaller 1650x1050 screen instead?

Spingo · 8th September 2004, 6:51 PM

If worse comes to worse, increase your DPI settings for the display.

Personally, I love the high resolutions. But then again, I use a 3200x1600 res across 2x20" screens...

j_a_h_2077 · 8th September 2004, 7:37 PM

I have an Inspiron 9100 which I use at work which has WUXGA resolution screen. I find it comfortable to use at window's default settings.

The Dell configuration from the factory has the font's set at around 120%, but after formatting it and using normal windows settings I was much more comfortable.

It will take a few hours to get used to it, but trust me, once you get used to it you won't go back to lower resolutions, unless your eyes can't handle it. Having the ability to have multiple programs open at the same time is quite useful.

Surge · 8th September 2004, 7:50 PM

1400 x 1050 on an HP nx9010 is fine for me, but I'd imagine that using 1920 x 1200 on a 15.4" screen would be a bit of a strain, even if it is widescreen. I'd go with the lower res screen, as that will still provide plenty of screen real estate. But I guess you'll just have to try it out yourself first, as everyone will have different preferences.

PogiPinoy · 8th September 2004, 9:26 PM

hi res screens are the best

thats what we graphic designers use

ruski · 8th September 2004, 9:28 PM

I think i'll settle for the WUXGA then! Does anyone know if Dell has a surcharge on creditcards?

j_a_h_2077 · 9th September 2004, 7:18 PM

They didn't when I purchased mine earlier this year.

One word of advice though. If there is anything on the online quote you don't want, ring them up and talk to a salesperson. I didn't want the 'free' leather case they offered at the time, but when I removed it from the online quote the price of the unit increased. Rang them up, they removed $100.00 off the price of the unit (original quoted price including leather case). You can also ask for other items which sometimes arn't displayed on the quote, like 7200 RPM HDD.

Modafroman · 9th September 2004, 7:32 PM

yea, higher res's are better for graphic designers! even for beginners like me

ruski · 9th September 2004, 10:46 PM

Just ordered a 1.5GHz, 15"4 TFT 1920x1200, 512mb ram, 128MB R9600P, 60GB HDD, DVD/CD-RW Combo for $2865 -minus $200 for the weekly discount! Not bad, saved about $300-400 from their deals (free delivery/case)!

Upon the second email, how long did it take you guys to get ur laptops? And did u guys get the Optional color kits? I got a green one, do they just snap on and off?

stroggos2k · 9th September 2004, 10:55 PM

I tried both before ordering my 8600 and I chose the 1680x1050. Two reasons, Large fonts enabled doesn't work on all programs, so I can still read the text if it's small, and being able to run at least some games in the native resolution.

Will S · 10th September 2004, 3:11 AM

The same here, I went for 1650 as my eyes are getting worse with age. Anyway broke my golden rule and did a buy on the spur of the moment thing and got the Inspiron 1100 ( 3.4ght, 512 ram, Radeon 9700 , 80G HD ) to help pass the time away on night shift . Hope games play ok on it.
Now its just a waiting game :-)

mizu · 10th September 2004, 3:52 AM

go with wuxga...

use a zoomable browser like opera when browsing...

most office apps are zoomable...

you'll really appreciate it when video/graphic editing...

SLATYE · 10th September 2004, 5:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Spingo
But then again, I use a 3200x1600 res across 2x20" screens...

Isn't that like having two screens at 1600x1600 each? So they'd both be square (rather than a 4:3 or 5:4 rectangle)?

I wouldn't want to go to a resolution higher than 1280x1024 on a 17" monitor (as I've got on my LCD at the moment). I actually prefer 1024x768 on a 19" CRT, just because it's easier to read.

j_a_h_2077 · 11th September 2004, 7:48 AM

I received by computer in 6 days upon receipt of confirmation email. Can't complain about that ...

Use dell's order tracking link. It will give you an approximate position of where your you computer is in production, although once it hit's Australian customs it can take a few days to get through that.

pippin88 · 11th September 2004, 3:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SLATYE
I actually prefer 1024x768 on a 19" CRT, just because it's easier to read.

That's bloody massive. I use 1152 x 864 on a 17", and I couldn't go down to 1024, as it would be too big.

8th September 2004, 6:47 PM	#1
ruski Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Perth, WA Posts: 355	Are 1920x1200 Screens overkill? I'm set with getting an Inspiron 8600, but one thing that im not sure of is the WUGA screen! Its 1920x1200 and some websites seem to complain that its too small for everyday office use! Is this true? Would it be better off to save the money and get the smaller 1650x1050 screen instead?

8th September 2004, 6:51 PM	#2
Spingo Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: At night, rave near the guards compartment, naked, with a blue light Posts: 987	If worse comes to worse, increase your DPI settings for the display. Personally, I love the high resolutions. But then again, I use a 3200x1600 res across 2x20" screens... __________________ This is the noise that keeps me awake...

8th September 2004, 7:50 PM	#4
Surge Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: 2204 Posts: 2,056	1400 x 1050 on an HP nx9010 is fine for me, but I'd imagine that using 1920 x 1200 on a 15.4" screen would be a bit of a strain, even if it is widescreen. I'd go with the lower res screen, as that will still provide plenty of screen real estate. But I guess you'll just have to try it out yourself first, as everyone will have different preferences. __________________ Folding@Home 10000 Club Member

8th September 2004, 9:26 PM	#5
PogiPinoy Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sydney (No Cable) :( Posts: 1,300	hi res screens are the best thats what we graphic designers use __________________ BLAQUE - Believing in Life and Achieving a Quest of Unity in Everything OCAU Club PDA Member #6 Nintendo Club Member #4 OCAU iPod Owner #65 ASUS Owners Club \|\|Dr. Pepper Club Member #21\|\| Motorola V-Club Member - V3i DELL Laptop Owners Club

9th September 2004, 7:32 PM	#8
Modafroman Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,451	yea, higher res's are better for graphic designers! even for beginners like me __________________ Audio Gear: Apple iPod Touch 32GB \| Audio Technica AD700 \| Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pro (Black) \| OCAU OFFICIAL CHAIR RAVER'S SOCIETY MEMBER #6 My Rig: Intel Core i7 920 @ 3.7Ghz \|Asus P6T-Deluxe\| 6GB GSkill RAM \| XFX 7800GTX \| 500GB SG 72.11, 2x320GB SG 72.10, 200GB SG 72.09. \| Antec P180 \| Corsair HX620 \| Benq FP202W 20" LCD \|

8th September 2004, 7:37 PM	#3
j_a_h_2077 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Granville NSW Posts: 278	I have an Inspiron 9100 which I use at work which has WUXGA resolution screen. I find it comfortable to use at window's default settings. The Dell configuration from the factory has the font's set at around 120%, but after formatting it and using normal windows settings I was much more comfortable. It will take a few hours to get used to it, but trust me, once you get used to it you won't go back to lower resolutions, unless your eyes can't handle it. Having the ability to have multiple programs open at the same time is quite useful.

8th September 2004, 9:28 PM	#6
ruski Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Perth, WA Posts: 355	I think i'll settle for the WUXGA then! Does anyone know if Dell has a surcharge on creditcards?

9th September 2004, 7:18 PM	#7
j_a_h_2077 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Granville NSW Posts: 278	They didn't when I purchased mine earlier this year. One word of advice though. If there is anything on the online quote you don't want, ring them up and talk to a salesperson. I didn't want the 'free' leather case they offered at the time, but when I removed it from the online quote the price of the unit increased. Rang them up, they removed $100.00 off the price of the unit (original quoted price including leather case). You can also ask for other items which sometimes arn't displayed on the quote, like 7200 RPM HDD.

9th September 2004, 10:46 PM	#9
ruski Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Perth, WA Posts: 355	Just ordered a 1.5GHz, 15"4 TFT 1920x1200, 512mb ram, 128MB R9600P, 60GB HDD, DVD/CD-RW Combo for $2865 -minus $200 for the weekly discount! Not bad, saved about $300-400 from their deals (free delivery/case)! Upon the second email, how long did it take you guys to get ur laptops? And did u guys get the Optional color kits? I got a green one, do they just snap on and off?

9th September 2004, 10:55 PM	#10
stroggos2k Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Rozelle, Sydney NSW Posts: 6,155	I tried both before ordering my 8600 and I chose the 1680x1050. Two reasons, Large fonts enabled doesn't work on all programs, so I can still read the text if it's small, and being able to run at least some games in the native resolution. __________________ Tune in to my radio show "Adam & The Stooges" from 8-10pm every Friday night on Sydney's 2RRR 88.5FM for obscure/classic/awesome rock, game, movie & tv reviews and random fun.

10th September 2004, 3:11 AM	#11
Will S Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Keiraville ( Wollongong ) Posts: 890	The same here, I went for 1650 as my eyes are getting worse with age. Anyway broke my golden rule and did a buy on the spur of the moment thing and got the Inspiron 1100 ( 3.4ght, 512 ram, Radeon 9700 , 80G HD ) to help pass the time away on night shift . Hope games play ok on it. Now its just a waiting game :-)

10th September 2004, 3:52 AM	#12
mizu Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 90	go with wuxga... use a zoomable browser like opera when browsing... most office apps are zoomable... you'll really appreciate it when video/graphic editing...

11th September 2004, 7:48 AM	#14
j_a_h_2077 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Granville NSW Posts: 278	I received by computer in 6 days upon receipt of confirmation email. Can't complain about that ... Use dell's order tracking link. It will give you an approximate position of where your you computer is in production, although once it hit's Australian customs it can take a few days to get through that.