How to Improve a Laptop Picture

Improving your computer's picture quality is just a few clicks away.

Many of us use our laptops every day to work on important assignments, check email or play games. To prevent eye strain while looking at your computer for those countless hours, you want to make sure you have a clear, crisp picture. Improving a laptop picture is rather easy and will take only a few moments out of your day. In fact, it's as easy as a few mouse clicks.

Instructions

1. Click "Start" at the bottom left of your laptop screen and click on "Control Panel."

2. Click "Personalization" and "Display Settings," if you are using Microsoft Vista or Windows 7 as your operating system. If you are using one of the older Windows programs, you should first click on "Display" and then "Settings."

3. Move the resolution bar to the right to increase your picture resolution or to the left to decrease resolution. The best resolution for your laptop screen will depend on its size. For example, if you have a standard 13-by-15-inch screen, it is recommended that your resolution be set to 1400 by 1050 pixels. For those with 17-inch screens, it is recommended your resolution be set to 1680 by 1050 pixels. Your Windows program automatically sets the resolution for your display, but the settings could be off if someone changed them.

4. Locate "Colors" to the right of the resolution bar. The drop box should have "Highest (32 bit)" displayed. If it does not click on the drop box, point your mouse arrow to "Highest (32 bit)" and click.

5. Click "Apply." Depending on your Windows program, it may ask you if you want to keep these display settings. Click "Yes" if the screen appears clearer and crisper and then click "OK."

Tips & Warnings

• If you continue to have problems with the quality of your laptop picture, you may need to install a new graphics card. Installing a new graphics card can be difficult and time consuming. Unless you are familiar with taking apart a computer, this may be a project for your local computer repair person.

References

• Microsoft: Getting the Best Display on Your Monitor

Resources

• Microsoft: Make the Text on Your Screen Larger or Smaller