Wide LCD Monitor Connect to Laptop?

[vinwin]

I am currently using a Labtop and intend to buy an external LCD monitor to connect my labtop for photo editing. Bigger screen is easier for photo editing and able to colaborate the color better. I know this is not the best option but I do not intend to buy a PC with proper graphic card for now.

My question is if I connect my laptop to a wide screen LCD monitor (e.g. 1680x1050 pixel), will the screen display properly? When I check on the Display property on my labtop, the max resolution is only 1024x768 pixel. Will the picture distorted?

I will really appreciate any input because I do not want to spend few hundred dollar to buy an expensive wide screen LCD and end up seeing an distorted picture.

[kardtoon]

Integrated graphics in laptops can typically support up to 1920 x 1200. This means you can use up to 24" widescreen monitors.

If you are not sure, just double check with your laptop manufacturer for supported resolution.

The reason you are not seeing anything more than 1024 x 768 is the graphics card "talks" to the display to find out what are the supported resolution and hence only reports to you the resolution that can be supported. Thus your display probably does not support any resolution higher than 1024 x 768. If you connect a higher resolution display, the number will change.

[vinwin]

I check on the display property of my labtop without the external LCD monitor and noticed that the following resolution is available :
1024 x 768
1280 x 768
1280 x 1024
1600 x 1200
1792 x 1344 and so on .....

The standard 20" monitor is 1600 x 1200 which is on my Display option.
However the 20" widescreen monitor 1680 x 1050 wasn't available on my Display option.

Does this means my laptop can't support 20" widescreen monitor ? or
When I connect the 20" widescreen monitor, the 1680 x 1050 resolution will be available?

Thank you.

[lukexav]

Originally Posted by vinwin I check on the display property of my labtop without the external LCD monitor and noticed that the following resolution is available : 1024 x 768 1280 x 768 1280 x 1024 1600 x 1200 1792 x 1344 and so on ..... The standard 20" monitor is 1600 x 1200 which is on my Display option. However the 20" widescreen monitor 1680 x 1050 wasn't available on my Display option. Does this means my laptop can't support 20" widescreen monitor ? or When I connect the 20" widescreen monitor, the 1680 x 1050 resolution will be available? Thank you.

just another question to add on to your list. DOes a wide screen LCD laptop needs an external wide screen lcd? or can resolution be adjusted to be different for both external LCD and the laptop lcd, ie 1280x800 for laptop lcd and 1600 x 1200 for the external lcd.
Hope the experts and experienced can advised as i wuld also like to obtain an external lcd for my laptop.

Cheers

[quekky]

I'm using dell D610 and i can hook up my 20"WS as a extended desktop @ 1680x1050

[Andy Ang]

It really depends on your graphic card. As long as the resolution is supported, it can display different resolution on different display.

[kardtoon]

Originally Posted by vinwin I check on the display property of my labtop without the external LCD monitor and noticed that the following resolution is available : 1024 x 768 1280 x 768 1280 x 1024 1600 x 1200 1792 x 1344 and so on ..... The standard 20" monitor is 1600 x 1200 which is on my Display option. However the 20" widescreen monitor 1680 x 1050 wasn't available on my Display option. Does this means my laptop can't support 20" widescreen monitor ? or When I connect the 20" widescreen monitor, the 1680 x 1050 resolution will be available? Thank you.

It should. It's also a function of your graphics drivers, so make sure that the graphics drivers are up to date, then connect a 20" and it should show the correct resolution.

[kardtoon]

Originally Posted by lukexav just another question to add on to your list. DOes a wide screen LCD laptop needs an external wide screen lcd? or can resolution be adjusted to be different for both external LCD and the laptop lcd, ie 1280x800 for laptop lcd and 1600 x 1200 for the external lcd. Hope the experts and experienced can advised as i wuld also like to obtain an external lcd for my laptop. Cheers

Yes. The Notebook LCD and the Monitor can have different resolution.

[wazzup]

MacBook Pro can support 30" wide ACDs