When looking at the video for a laptop there are four items to look over: screen size, resolution, screen type and graphics processor. For most people only the screen size and resolution are all that will really matter. The graphics processor really only tends to make a difference for those looking to possibly do some mobile gaming or high definition video. Pretty much all laptops use some form of backlit active matrix display to allow for bright fast displays capable of video playback.
Screen Size
Laptop screens have a wide range of sizes depending upon the type of laptop system that you are looking at. Larger screens provide an easier to view screen such as a desktop replacement. Ultraportables tend to have smaller screens allowing for a reduced size for increased portability. Many systems now offer a wide aspect ratio screen either for a more cinematic display or to reduce the size of the screen in the depth dimension for a smaller system size.
All screens sizes are given in a diagonal measurement. This is the measurement from the lower screen corner to the opposite upper corner of the screen. This will be the actual visible display area. Here is a chart of the average screen sizes for different style laptops:
- Netbook: 12" or Less
- Ultraportable: 13.3" or Less
- Thin and Light: 14" to 16"
- Desktop Replacement: 17" to 19"
- Luggables: 20" and Higher
Resolution
Screen resolution or native resolution is the number of pixels on the display listed in the number across the screen by the number down the screen. Laptop displays look best when the graphics are run at this native resolution. While it is possible to run at a lower resolution, doing so creates either a reduced image on the screen with a black border or an extrapolated display. An extrapolated display tends to cause reduced image clarity as the system has to use multiple pixels to try and display how a single pixel would normally appear.
Higher native resolutions allow for a greater detail in the image and increased work space on the display. The drawback to high resolution displays is that fonts tend to be smaller and more difficult to read. This can be a particular drawback for people who have poor eyesight. It can be compensated by changing the font size in the operating system, but this can have unintended results in some programs. Below is a chart of the various video acronyms that refer to resolutions:
- WVGA: 800x480
- SVGA: 800x600
- WSVGA: 1024x600
- XGA: 1024x768
- WXGA: 1366x768 or 1280x800
- SXGA: 1280x1024
- SXGA+: 1400x1050
- WXGA+: 1440x900
- WSXGA+: 1600x900 or 1680x1050
- UXGA: 1600x1200
- WUXGA: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200
Screen Type
While the screen size and resolution are the primary features that will be mentioned by manufacturers and retailers, the screen type can also make a huge difference in how the video performs. When I refer to the type, it really means what technology is used for the LCD panel and the coating that is used over the screen.
There are two basic technologies that are used in LCD panels for laptops right now. They are TN and IPS. TN panels are the most common as they are the least expensive and also tend to offer faster refresh rates. They do have disadvantages including narrow viewing angles and colors. Now, the viewing angles impact how well the screen color and brightness looks the further off center you viewing the panel at. Color refers to the color gamut or total number of colors that the screen can display. TN panels offer less overall color but this typically only matters for graphics designers. For those wanting higher color and viewing angles, IPS does both of these better but they tend to cost more and have slower refresh rates and are not as suited for gaming or fast video.
The majority of consumer laptops tend to use glossy coatings over the LCD panels. This offers a greater level of color and brightness to come through to the viewer. The downside is that they are more difficult to use in certain light such as outdoors without producing a large amount of glare. They do look great in home environments where it is easier to control glare. While most consumer laptops feature glossy coatings, corporate style laptops generally feature anti-glare or matte coatings. Thhey help reduce the amount of external light from reflecting on the screen making them much better for office lighting or outdoors. The downside is that the contrast and brightness tend to be a bit more muted on these displays. So, why is this important? Basically think of common areas where you will use a laptop. If they might produce a lot of glare, you should opt for something with an anti-glare coating if possible.
Graphics Processor
In the past, graphics processors have not been much of an issue for consumer laptops. The majority of users were not doing much graphically that required 3D graphics or accelerated video. This has changed as more and more people use their laptops as their exclusive machine. Recent advancements in integrated graphics have made it less necessary to have a dedicated graphics processor but they can still be beneficial. The primary reasons for having a dedicated graphics processor is either for 3D graphics (gaming or multimedia) and accelerating non-gaming applications such as Photoshop.
The two major suppliers of dedicated graphics processors for laptops are AMD (formerly ATI) and NVIDIA. The following chart lists the current crop of graphics processors for laptop PCs from the two companies. They are listed in the approximate order of performance from highest to lowest. Laptops that will be used for gaming should have at least a minimum of 512MB of dedicated graphics memory but preferably higher. (Note that this list has been shortened to just the latest versions of the graphics processors plus a few previous generation models.)
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M
- NIVIDA GeForce GTX 675M
- AMD Radeon HD 7970M
- AMD Radeon HD 6990M
- AMD Radeon HD 6970M
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M
- AMD Radeon HD 7870M
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570M
- AMD Radeon HD 6870M
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M
- AMD Radeon HD 6850M
- AMD Radeon HD 7770M
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M
- AMD Radeon HD 7650M
- AMD Radeon HD 6670M
- AMD Radeon HD 6650M
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M
- AMD Radeon HD 7550M
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 635M
- AMD Radeon HD 6550M
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M
- AMD Radeon HD 7470M
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M
- AMD Radeon HD 7350M
- NVIDIA GeForce 610M
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M
- AMD Radeon HD 6470M
- AMD Radeon HD 6370M
- AMD Radeon HD 6250M
In addition to these processors, AMD and NVIDIA both have technologies that can allow certain graphics processors to run in pairs for additional performance. AMD's technology is referred to as CrossFireX while NVIDIA's is SLI. While the performance is increased, battery life for such laptops is greatly reduced due to the extra power consumption.
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