Just getting started here. Need to buy a laptop for use as primary - maybe only computer.
I'm thinking that before Memory, processor, hd size and all that,That I wanted to start with screen display characteristics before anything else.
I photograph my local dogpark almost everyday, post photos to my website: mostly for viewers to see and download if they'd like; sometimes a viewer or I will have a photo printed.
Am thinking that I'd rather NOT switch to the MAC world.
Hard to search for certain ( important?) screen/display qualities.
Screen size. I'm thinking 17"
Resolution : how important ? What do you advise ?
* Brightness: in case I take laptop outside on a shoot. Which I might, since I shoot mostly dogs at the park. Need to see the screen in daylight.
* Accuracy : how accurate, authentic, true are the colors . Sub issue : I hear that the "glossy " screens make the colors look great to the viewer but may not be accurate? Sub - issue : I'm thinking that color accuracy etc is very important for photo printing , but can a screen display be too good such that you are achieving things that will be lost on viewers with lesser screen displays - in fact : look wrong on other screens ?
* Calibration : what laptops, screens allow for calibration of the display I hear the term "spider." What laptop has this ability ? Can This ability ( spider) be added on. Is it better to have this ability come with the laptop ?
* Dedicated Card: I hear mention now and then of some kind of intigrated graphics card or something ? Is this important ? Is is it more a video or gaming type thing ? Does it have to do with giving a person more control of the display ?
* Viewing Angle ? You know. How important ?
Hard to find all these attributes reviewed, rated in one place.
I know that a laptop will not match a desktop and all that. But this will probably be my only computer for awhile.
* Any ideas on what laptops currently come close to doing well with all these display issues ?
I'm going out on a limb here, saying that laptop displays are more or less the same. What I can tell you though is not to get a laptop with those glossy displays, as they screw up colors somewhat.
"Spider" is actually Spyder, a line of color calibration gadgets that you attach to the screen. It's not built into any laptop, and even the basic version does a great job in calibrating displays. Look at http://spyder.datacolor.com/ for more info.
Thanks. r_manic: Thing is : try finding a matte screen. What I've found is that ALL Lenovo Think Pads come with Matte screens . HP Compaq 6735b matte screen "anti glare" , Dell Vostro A860 budget matte screen, fujitsu lifebook only 14 " screen ? Often they are listed under "anti-glare."
Other differences are : led backlight or CCFL :Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp. The LEDS are a newer thing. Has to do with being able to use the laptop outside.
So far : for the screen , I might be going with the Lenovo : thinkpad t500.