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These days, it seems that very few people are buying laptops with just one task or purpose in mind. Indeed, I use mine (which is ancient, but thats not the point) for everything from getting a little work done to editing my digital photos to making the most of my Netflix subscription. Sound familiar? If, like me, you often watch movies or view digital photos on your laptop, heres a new item for your notebook shopping checklist: a sweet screen.
To really get all the details, look for a laptop with a screen resolution of 1,920-by-1,200. But high-resolution in a screen isnt the only thing to look for. Many of the laptops currently on the market feature whiter, brighter screens designed to make images look awesome. Their increased brightness makes them easier to see in bright-light situations (outdoors, for example), and some boast a glossy coating that improves contrast to sharpen digital photos and videos and make colors sparkle.
Both the Dell XPS M1710 and the Sony VAIO VGN-AR190G qualify, and the VGN-AR190G features XBRITE technology as well. XBRITE is Sonys moniker for its special image-crisping, anti-reflective screens. HP, meanwhile, calls it BrightView, and you can find it gracing the 15.4-inch widescreen on the HP Pavilion dv6000t.
Once youve got the “finish” taken care of, does size matter? Well sure—bigger is certainly better when it comes to viewing images. Look for a 15.4- or 17-inch widescreen for the best picture (just keep in mind that a bigger screen means a bigger laptop, of course). But even a small screen can look really good if its done right. Case in point: the Sony VGN-UX180P “micro” PC measures only 3.7 by 5.9 by 1.3 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.2 pounds, but thanks to XBRITE, its 4.5-inch LCD screen is startlingly bright.
Want something that sparkles? The snazzy screens on these devices are no less than dazzling.
In this Review Comparison:
Dell XPS M1710 ($3,789 direct)
This gaming laptops 17-inch, 1920 by 1200 resolution widescreen will make every pixel pop. Click here to read the full review.
Sony VAIO VGN-AR190G ($3,499.99 direct)
This babys XBRITE screen is, well, extra bright. Add a 1920 by 1200 screen resolution and youre good to go. Click here to read the full review.