So I'm looking to replace my current notebook and it looks like the maximum resolution for all displays I can find ranging for 14" up to 15.6" is 1366x768. Since I do a lot of development work on my laptop, this is really annoying since I'd personally like more vertical space and the default Windows 7 taskbar already makes use of quite a bit of that space.

I'd really fancy getting the HP Envy 14, but after contacting sales, I've been told that the better quality display that used to be available (Radiance display with 1600x900 max resolution) is no longer in stock and they "don't know" when they're getting new supplies.

I personally think this max resolution sucks and I'm not buying any laptop with this based on principle. I bought one previously but that doesn't count since it's not my primary development system. Anyone else notice this trend lately?

so glad this wasn't another one of those new years resolution threads!

Is the lower resolution an issue of costs? Why purposefully decrease the resolution?

Yeah, it's cost savings, plus it makes fonts look bigger so it's more popular with the average customer.

It's kind of a consequence of the 16:9 phenomena and the lack of proper-DPI-scaling OSes.

[Edited by - shurcool on December 23, 2010 9:56:46 AM]

768 is a HD resolution; thus when people want to get a laptop they can be sold as 'HD'.

This is a thing which is reflected across the industry with 17" laptops having 1080p screens, same as 24" monitors.

Fortunately you can still get screens which have more vertical res. on them, just often it is tucked away in an 'upgrade' option for laptops (Dell do this for example).

Quote:

Original post by liquidAir I'd really fancy getting the HP Envy 14, but after contacting sales, I've been told that the better quality display that used to be available (Radiance display with 1600x900 max resolution) is no longer in stock and they "don't know" when they're getting new supplies. I personally think this max resolution sucks and I'm not buying any laptop with this based on principle.

What do you mean "based on principle?"

You are asking for a very specific item. They don't have that specific item in stock right this moment; the moment being the end of the busiest retail season when even national chains are completely sold out of certain products. Because they are temporarily out of stock on a specific model and waiting for the manufacturers, you are taking it as a moral stand against all products that have different specs.

Grow up. It is not a morally offensive thing for a company to be out of stock of specific mass-produced item this time of year.

Quote:

Original post by frob Quote: Original post by liquidAir I'd really fancy getting the HP Envy 14, but after contacting sales, I've been told that the better quality display that used to be available (Radiance display with 1600x900 max resolution) is no longer in stock and they "don't know" when they're getting new supplies. I personally think this max resolution sucks and I'm not buying any laptop with this based on principle. What do you mean "based on principle?" You are asking for a very specific item. They don't have that specific item in stock right this moment; the moment being the end of the busiest retail season when even national chains are completely sold out of certain products. Because they are temporarily out of stock on a specific model and waiting for the manufacturers, you are taking it as a moral stand against all products that have different specs. Grow up. It is not a morally offensive thing for a company to be out of stock of specific mass-produced item this time of year.

Whoa! Relax. That wasn't meant to be taken seriously. Basically, I need a better screen resolution for development work and 1366x768 just doesn't cut it. I've considered laptops from other manufacturers within the same range (14" to 15.6" monitors) and they all seem to offer the same max resolution even after customisation. Besides, they've been out of stock of these screens since September.

I'm just really looking for better alternatives. Also, a 17" laptop isn't one of them.

1) Buy laptop with dvi out and huge monitor with resolution of your choice (1920 * 1080 is the new minimum)
2) Buy dvi cable and connect laptop to monitor. (also buy proper kb and mouse)
3) ??
4) Profit!

[grin]

Seriously, I can't imagine doing any actual coding work on less than 2 screens, let alone on a pokey little 14 inch screen. Laptops are fine for surfing web, music, im, etc. but they suck for development.

As far as I know, the Macbook Pro 15.4" machines have always been at least 1440x900. Mine is optioned up to 1680x1050.

I thought pretty much every other laptop was using the same panels, but I guess not. The Macbook Air is 1366x768, but that's for an 11" laptop. The 13.3" Macbook (and Macbook Pro) is only 1280x800.

You can go for the Sony F13 series, it's 16.4" screen with 1600x900 or 1920x1080 resolution. That seems reasonable for development (as good as you'll get on a laptop).

If you want smaller, there is Z13 with 13.1" and same resolution, but it's very small and expensive (but MBA-light).