Can I plug a really nice 1600x1200 monitor into my crappy laptop?

members_only · #1 06-17-2007, 10:03 AM

Hi there,

I looked for the answer to this in the FAQ but couldn't find it. Maybe it's too obvious (I'm quite ignorant about computers.)

Basically I'm thinking about buying a decent monitor to multi-table on, but I'm wondering if the resolution capacity is dependent solely on the monitor itself or whether it also has to be supported by an equally good video card or whatever. My current laptop is v. budget.

Thanks to anyone who can enlighten me

MO

SamIAm · #2 06-17-2007, 10:06 AM

It depends how bad your laptop is. You _do_ have some max resolution, and if 1600x1200 is above that, then you won't get the full benefit of the monitor.

You should probably be able to google your laptop and find the specs on the video card.

pvn · #3 06-17-2007, 12:32 PM

Unless your laptop is like 200 years old or intentionally crippled by the manufacturer, it should be able to do 1600x1200. Driving a display at this resolution isn't some incredibly computationally-intensive feat.

members_only · #4 06-17-2007, 02:55 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Unless your laptop is like 200 years old or intentionally crippled by the manufacturer, it should be able to do 1600x1200. Driving a display at this resolution isn't some incredibly computationally-intensive feat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Um, it often feels like it's both... It's an Acer TravelMate 270 fwiw. Probably about four years old or so. Apparently the video system is 'SiS integrated 16MB', which as far as I can work out from Wikipedia etc will support a resolution of up to 1900x1200, but only at about 60Hz or so.

Does that sound right? Would it be incredibly slow at a high res?

pvn · #5 06-17-2007, 04:51 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Unless your laptop is like 200 years old or intentionally crippled by the manufacturer, it should be able to do 1600x1200. Driving a display at this resolution isn't some incredibly computationally-intensive feat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Um, it often feels like it's both... It's an Acer TravelMate 270 fwiw. Probably about four years old or so. Apparently the video system is 'SiS integrated 16MB', which as far as I can work out from Wikipedia etc will support a resolution of up to 1900x1200, but only at about 60Hz or so.

Does that sound right? Would it be incredibly slow at a high res?

[/ QUOTE ]

No. The "60Hz" refresh rate is plenty if you're plugging in a LCD. On a CRT, 60Hz is (to many people) visibly flickering and gives a lot of people bad headaches.

members_only · #6 06-17-2007, 07:35 PM

Cool, I'll give it a go. Thanks for the help guys