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jackstraw
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Joined: Dec 19, 2003
Posts: 188
Location: USA
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 Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:53 pm Post subject: 2nd monitor on laptop - resolution question |
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hey All -
I'm wondering if my Toshiba Satellite laptop will be able to drive a big external monitor. It's an old machine, the graphics card is the Invidia GeForce 4 460Go - about 5 years old.
Anyway, the specs under Display Properties says that the supported resolutions for external displays are 800x600, 1024x768, 1600x1200, 1920x1440 and 2048x1536.
My question is, when I buy this 24" Gateway, with a native resolution of 1900x1200, will my laptop be able to run it? It'll be through the VGA port, so I know I won't get the full benefit of this beautiful display, but as long as it works I'll be happy.
I think the refresh rates may have something to do with this stuff too, but I'm not sure. The guys at the store didn't have a clue - they knew how to say "it'll work" and "no problem," but I'd like to know more before I buy a $500 monitor.
So, CastleCops gurus - anybody have any ideas? The question really is this: Do I have to buy a monitor that has one of those resolutions I listed above? Or, will any new monitor be able to adapt to my old graphics card?
Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for your replies.
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k027
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Joined: Aug 25, 2003
Posts: 8517
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:56 am Post subject: |
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Check for updated drivers for your video card that may allow you to change the screen resolution to that offered by the monitor you are considering buying.
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jackstraw
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Joined: Dec 19, 2003
Posts: 188
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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thanks K - tried that - nothing found.
Do you really think they/it (the resolutions) have to match?
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k027
Special Response Team
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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I suspect that the new monitor will work with the old video card.
I once had a similar experience with an old video card (different than yours) and a new, wide screen monitor (once again different than the one you are looking to purchase). Updated drivers were not available, either. The monitor worked fine although at a different screen resolution than the maximum available for the monitor.
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Bill_Bright
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Joined: Jan 16, 2004
Posts: 9046
Location: Nebraska, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | My question is, when I buy this 24" Gateway, with a native resolution of 1900x1200 |
Are you sure that is not 1920x1200?.
Before I ever spend big bucks on something, I go out to the product makers website and download the user manual. If they don't have a website, I find another maker. If they don't have a download section, I find another maker.
You did not say the model number, there are at least 2 24" LCDs listed on the gateway site. The manual for the Gateway FHD2400, on page 26 show it supports of couple of your resolutions, the FHD2401 manual shows the same list. I suspect it is the same for the 24" LCD you are looking at.
It is not surprising the laptop maker did not have widescreen drivers for a 4 year old laptop - but it was worth a try.
 Ummm, how do you intend to use the monitor? If primarily as a big laptop monitor, then for $500, that's a waste of money unless you are planning on buying a new widescreen laptop in the very near future. There are some excellent 20" - 21" 4:3 monitors that can take advantage of your laptop's higher resolution to create a great display, even in analog. Most in that size run at a native resolution of 1600X1200 and it is always better to run a LCD monitor at native resolutions for best image quality.
It's too early for me to do the math but I have a 19" 4:3 monitor next to the wife's Samsung 245BW 24" 16:10. The screen (actual viewing area) height of the 19" is just under 1" shorter than her 24". So the screen heights of 20 - 21" 4:3 monitor and a 24" widescreen 16:10 monitor will be almost exactly the same. And with the laptop feeding the monitor the resolution it is tweaked for, you will see the best image quality possible for that analog setup.
_________________
 Bill, AFE7Ret
Freedom is NOT Free!
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jackstraw
Lieutenant
Joined: Dec 19, 2003
Posts: 188
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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yes, you're right, it is 1920 x 1200, and it is the FHD2400 I'm looking at.
I'll be upgrading the laptop real soon, and I need a good display for editing photos, so I figure I might as well get something good now, instead of an interim "cheap" one.
But do you think I'll have any problem with the FHD2400 - meaning, do you think my laptop will recognize it and be able to run it?
I understand it won't be ideal - first of all it'll be VGA instead of digital - but as long as it runs for now, that will be okay.
Thanks for your input - I appreciate your help.
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Bill_Bright
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Joined: Jan 16, 2004
Posts: 9046
Location: Nebraska, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | But do you think I'll have any problem with the FHD2400 - meaning, do you think my laptop will recognize it and be able to run it? |
Again, I refer you to your manual. Based on the chart on page 26, your laptop and the 2400 should sync up fine at 800x600 and 1024x768. Not ideal, by any means, but usable. However, I suspect those results will expedite the purchase of that new laptop.
In the meantime, I would take K's advice and look for newer drivers on your laptop maker's website - if any, read the Change log and see if any address widescreen resolutions.
_________________
Bill, AFE7Ret
Freedom is NOT Free!
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