New laptop resolution question 1920x1080

[Ctrackstar126]

Looking to get a new laptop and im wondering if I really need 1920x1080 for a resolution. I have 3 monitors that are run from my main PC and I would think I would like the 1920x1080 so for the most part I can run lets say two browsers side by side.

Just wondering for all you productive type people if your hindered by resolution. I dont want to limit my choices of laptops based solely on this.

 

[Brainonska511]

I don't know if you'll really be able to find 1920x1080 laptops unless you look in the 17"+ laptops realm.

I have 1920x1080 on my 22" monitor which is really nice, but I don't think it would be very good if the monitor was smaller.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

any good programs to make a single screen use more productive. i just like being able to at least have two browsers side by side or a program/browser shown at once.

 

[Brainonska511]

I think ATI used to have a utility called HydraVision that could make your computer think one screen was two. And I'm sure there are a few others. But none that I can think of.

 

[ReggieDunlap]

I have a new Dell Studio 1558 with the 15.6" widescreen Full HD WLED (1920x1080). I thought I may have some issues with the resolution after i ordered when I read some users' comments about the text and icon size.

But when I booted mine up for setup, the display had set itself to 125%dpi so the text size was not an issue and I even set the icon size to medium. I have no problems with the resolution on a 15.6" screen and I think two browsers side by side wont be any problem.

 

[kalrith]

Recommended resolution is somewhat preference but is largely a product of the ratio between screen size and viewing distance. The viewing distance for a laptop screen is usually much shorter than the viewing distance for a desktop monitor. I usually push for a 36-40° viewing angle as my preferred viewing angle for 1920x1080 resolution. You can see viewing angles relative to viewing distance and screen size by using this calculator.

For example, I just ordered a 32" 1080p TV for my computer monitor. If I sit 3'2" from the screen, then I'll achieve a 40° viewing angle. If ReggieDunlap sits 1'7" from his 15.6" laptop screen, then he'll achieve the same viewing angle.

OP, if you sit down with your current laptop and measure your viewing distance, then input that viewing distance and your desired new laptop's screen size into the afore-mentioned calculator, then you should see what your viewing angle is. If it's less than 26°, then you'll definitely want to go with a lower resolution. If it's 36° or greater, then you'll definitely want 1920x1080. If it's somewhere in between, then that's a gray area in which personal preference and eyesight come into play.

I personally like the highest resolution possible in laptop screens even if it means things looking really tiny. However, if I were buying a new laptop, it would have a >17" screen with 1920x1080, so tiny wouldn't really be an issue.

 

[CSMR]

High-res is always better. (As long as the hardware can cope.) Resolution has nothing to do with how big things look on screen.
At narrow viewing angles it is just less important.

 

[kalrith]

High-res is always better. (As long as the hardware can cope.) Resolution has nothing to do with how big things look on screen.
At narrow viewing angles it is just less important.

Does not compute.

So, you're saying that if I change my monitor's resolution from 1920x1080 to 1280x720, things will not look bigger at the lower resolution?

 

[corkyg]

The higher the res, the smaller the pixels as long as the screen size is fixed.

And, when dealing with a LCD display, the native resolution is the max number of pixels available. You can't improve that. Lower res is done by interpolation and pixel combination - usually always less than satisfactory.

 

[mooncancook]

I have a Sony laptop with a 16.4" 1920x1080 screen, it makes a huge difference in term of productivity compared to my old laptop with 1280x800 screen, and it's not hard on the eyes because you sit so much closer to the screen with a laptop.

 

[CSMR]

Does not compute.

So, you're saying that if I change my monitor's resolution from 1920x1080 to 1280x720, things will not look bigger at the lower resolution?

That's right, provided the dpi is adjusted at the same time. Things just become sharper.