When choosing a laptop, pay attention to the LCD screen’s resolution, aspect ratio, and type. Active matrix displays are brighter and have more color detail. Bad pixels can be annoying, so check reviews and the manufacturer’s policy. Screen replacement can be expensive, so choose wisely.
A laptop LCD is the most common type of screen on laptop computers. In most laptops, screen replacement will be so expensive that it may not be cost effective and could mean that buying a new laptop is a better value option. For this reason it is especially important to pay close attention to the screen when choosing a laptop, much more so than with a desktop computer where you may buy a new screen later.
Check the resolution on the LCD of the laptop you are considering. Typically, a larger screen will have a higher resolution, as you would expect. However, sometimes cheap screens will have a lower resolution than other models with the same screen size. This can cause a noticeable difference if you are working with highly detailed images, such as image editing or watching video. Some screens have particularly high resolution, which means you can fit more detail onto the screen, although this can cause problems if you don’t have good close-up vision.
You could choose between a regular laptop LCD with a 4:3 aspect ratio and one with a 16:9 widescreen display. The best option depends on your needs. If you use the machine primarily for office tasks such as word processing, a normal aspect ratio will likely be better as you’ll get more screen real estate on the same sized laptop. If you are likely to watch a lot of video files such as movies and TV shows, a widescreen display will provide a better viewing experience, such as with a television.
More expensive laptops will have a type of screen known as an active matrix display. The way they work means that the display is usually brighter with more color detail. Screens also refresh faster, which gives the impression of a more detailed picture, especially for video. While this type of laptop LCD usually adds to the price of the computer, it’s often worth buying, particularly if you’re likely to use it in situations where you don’t get a lot of outside light, such as on airplanes.
One of the major problems you may encounter with a portable LCD is a bad pixel. This can be a dead pixel, which is continuously on or off, or a stuck pixel, which is always the same color. Defective pixels rarely cause functional problems, but they can be extremely annoying. It’s worth checking reviews of a laptop to see if it has a reputation for suffering from bad pixels. You should also check what the manufacturer’s policy is for refunds and repairs as some companies sell screens on the basis that a certain number of defective pixels is considered acceptable and therefore not a defect.
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