What Does 'Non-optimal' resolution mean?

Question

I have an 8600 with SUXGA and of course the highest resolution is too small to use so I'm using 1200x800. But when you lower the resolution a warning notes that b/c its an LCD, even though it supports lower resolutions they are non-optimal (or somethine to that effect). Does that mean an LCD with a native 1200x800 looks better than a 1900x1200 in 1200x800 mode?

What exactly is non-optimal about not running it at 1900x1200? Does it effect web browsing and word processing?

Thanks.

crazy_ivan · Answer

I think 'non-optimal resolution' means that you are not getting the best display quailty avaliable.

jingyenshiau · Answer

It's a little fuzzy, a little soft on the edges, but nothing to concern your task performance. However, if you are into graphics-intensive operation, I wonder what it feels like? After all, there must be some kind of conversion between the graphics card and the LCD display, right?

spiked_martini · Answer

@hshadab wrote:

Does that mean an LCD with a native 1200x800 looks better than a 1900x1200 in 1200x800 mode?

Yes. Basically, desktop CRTs scale the actual size of the pixels, so any resolution is crisp. But notebook LCDs have a fixed pixel pitch, so when you set your SXGA screen at a lower resolution, your video card has to approximate the lower resolution by using a bunch of pixels to approximate the effect of a larger pixel. But since things don't work out perfectly, your video card has to anti-alias, and interpolate the image.

You really should be using your LCDs maximum possible resolution. If you find that text is too small, there are adjustments you can make to increase your text size: Display Properties - Settings tab - Advanced button, and set your DPI to "Large Fonts." You can also change the size of your icons, and of your text in Internet Explorer. I used to set the resolution on my UXGA screen lower than the max, but I've found with the DPI settings changed, I can use the full 1600x1200 that my screen supports, and I love the crispness of the high-res screen.

PeteNbama · Answer

Bumping your dpi up from normal does indeed result in larger and easier to read fonts that remain sharp, but at a cost for graphics/pics viewed on your browser. And I wholeheartedly agree that using a lower than optimal screen resolution setting degrades fonts/text. One of the quirks of notebook lcd screens. So here's what I do, with both following options retaining super crisp detail in fonts/text: If I want optimally sharp fonts AND graphics (on my browser) I use normal dpi and highest or optimal resolution setting. If I want optimally sharp fonts that are larger and I don't mind sacrificing quality on graphics/pics in my browser, I again use optimal or highest resolution setting, but this time change dpi from normal to large. It's easy to switch between the two with a quick three or four clicks each time. Bottom line for me...never sacrifice overall screen quality by using less than optimal screen resolution.

5150, UXGA screen (1600x1200 always).

Pete

P4, 3.06 ghz (no HT, hype IMO, what software can use it, lol). I may regret it later:(
15" UXGA screen @ 1600x1200
7200rpm 60gig HD
768 MB RAM
64 MB NVIDIA video card
4x CD/DVD burner (DVD+RW/+R)
USB 64 mb memory key (my favorite little goody).

Message Edited by PeteNbama on 02-28-2004 07:10 PM

Locked Topics – Laptops General

What Does "Non-optimal" resolution mean?

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