How to Compare 17-Inch Laptop Screens

Laptop screens can be very different.

Seventeen-inch laptop screens, while all the same size, have several features that set different models apart. If you're shopping for a new laptop, there are a few things you should notice about the screen.

Widescreen or Standard

Laptop screens are either widescreen or standard. Standard screens have a 4:3 aspect ratio (like older televisions), widescreen will have a 16:9 aspect ratio, and look like a rectangle (similar to high-definition televisions).

Screen Resolution

Different screens will have different resolutions. The resolution of a screen is defined by how many pixels are used to form the screen image. The more pixels, the higher the resolution. A traditional screen will have 1650 x 1050 pixels. Screens can go as high as 1920 x 1200.

Glossy or Matte

Laptop screens have either a glossy or matte finish. Glossy finishes are bright, allowing the screen to display vivid colors. Matte screens have an anti-glare coating, making them optimal for people who work outside or in other brightly lit environments.

References

• Laptop Screens Buying Guide
• Geek: Laptop Screens
• CNET: Laptop Buying Guide