3 ms·

The first thing I see is a 16x9 screen, think "pass", and close the page. There have to be other LCD panel makers out there. Either their customers don't care a

The first thing I see is a 16x9 screen, think "pass", and close the page. There have to be other LCD panel makers out there. Either their customers don't care and/or the company doesn't care to make a better laptop.

greyw 4y ago
Interesting. For me the screen needs to be 16:9 or 16:10 to be even considered.
- lost_tourist 4y ago
  that's the same for me. I tend to have "two" windows open at most times and that works well for me on my 15" laptop (ancient by most HN standards). I've looked at the ultrawide and 4:3 screens and I'm good with the current "standard" form factor when I can't get to my 3 monitor setup at home.
inetknght 4y ago
> The first thing I see is a 16x9 screen, think "pass", and close the page. I like 16x9. What do you want instead?
- haunter 4y ago
  Not OP but I guess 4:3 or 3:2. Some people prefer those to widescreens, having more vertical space is better MS Surface Books are 3:2 for example (2256 x 1504 on 13,5" / 2496 x 1664 on 15"), or some Thinkpad X1 models are 4:3 (probably just the Fold?). The Framework laptop is also 3:2 (2256 x 1504 on 13,5")
  - RodGodKiller 4y ago
    He probably meant 16:10.
    - karmakaze 4y ago
      Yes, I meant 16:10, though 3:2 is also good. 4:3 is really only for tablets or < 12" screens.
  - crclist 4y ago
    Looks like it’s been longer than I realized since I last paid attention to displays. That’s wonderful that alternatives to 16:9 are rising again.
  - accrual 4y ago
    I recently started using a 1280x1024 display in a 5:4 ratio for my retro PC. I really like it. It's more square than 4:3 and feels very utilitarian. On the other hand, I still prefer 16:10 over 16:9 for modern displays.
    - selfhoster11 4y ago
      Any thoughts on the LG DualUp [0]? It looks quite interesting for portrait mode work, but I've held off from purchasing due to the... unusual aspect ratio and the fact that it'd be rather difficult to use for watching video content. [0]: https://www.lg.com/uk/monitors/lg-28mq780-b https://www.lg.com/uk/monitors/lg-28mq780-b
      - accrual 4y ago
        It looks really interesting! I found using a different aspect ratio (5:4 in my recent case) changes how I view and interact with the computer. It just feels refreshing to use something different after years of 16:9 and 16:10. Your window layout might be different, which may or may not benefit your workflow. I agree video content might look a little strange unless it was kept on either the top or bottom, and not full screened.
      - karmakaze 4y ago
        I can't imagine it makes the most sense unless you got two of them side-by-side--though that would depend on the nature of your work. I use a 43" 4k 16:9 monitor and don't use the full height, leaving part of the top and bottom edges empty. Moving your eyes/head that much vertically just doesn't seem very natural or ergonomic.
- deergomoo 4y ago
  I'm not OP but 16:10 or 3:2 are great aspect ratios for laptops.
- Raphael 4y ago
  16:9 demands true full-screen for viewing 16:9 content. 16:10 leaves a little room for toolbars if you just want to maximize a window and look at something.
sylens 4y ago
1080p too. Really hard for me to go back at this point.
- smoldesu 4y ago
  There's hope that a 4k screen option might exist, but anything between 1080p and 4k will not look good on Linux at this size. Without fractional scaling or funny supersampling tricks, Linux only really looks good at 100% and 200% scaling. Maybe in time that will change, but that's just how Linux is for now.
  - cevn 4y ago
    Fractional scaling is a 99% solved problem at least on KDE, even with Wayland it seems to work fine for me. Just a few apps are blurry which I don't use.
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]
    - AzzieElbab 4y ago
      PopOs - System76 distro supports fractional scaling.
      - noisem4ker 4y ago
        ...the GNOME/Apple hacky way, that is rendering at an integer multiple and then downscaling as needed. It works, but it's not optimal, and won't ever be as sharp as it could be.
        DiabloD3 4y ago
        The Gnome/Apple way is also apps can opt out when they do their own scaling, such as browsers, and can just stream the output directly at 1:1. The fix, unfortunately, is blame the hardware. Desktop monitors that don't approach standard DPIs shouldn't be still produced in the 2020s, 24" 1080p and 24" 4k are perfectly common and optimal for their intended uses. And yes, I think 27" 1440p shouldn't exist... it isn't an integer multiple of 1080p (thus a poorly handled edge case of scaling rasterized media resources, ie, videos), but also, if you wish to maintain proper intended DPI scaling for ye average asset, 1440p needs to be 32".
StillBored 4y ago
Yah I don't get why these laptop manufactures keep shipping garbage screens. I got a 3:2 2160 x 1440, IPS screen on a $200 tablet a few months ago. My laptop has a 16:9 that looks worse, and has lower resolution despite the machine costing 6x as much. So, please, its hard to call your product "premium" if its screen is worse than a bottom of the barrel tablet.
- okasaki 4y ago
  That sounds nice. What tablet is that? It's pretty sad that tablets seem to be elongating like phones did. Most of them are 16:10 these days.
  - StillBored 4y ago
    I think it was this one: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-11-tablet-intel-pentium-4gb-memory-128gb-ssd-natural-silver/6492318.p?skuId=6492318 https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-11-tablet-intel-pentium-4gb-... it was on sale for $199, or $299 with the keyboard. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-11-tablet-intel-pentium-4gb-memory-128gb-ssd-with-keyboard-natural-silver/6492320.p?skuId=6492320 https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-11-tablet-intel-pentium-4gb-... But only that second link is still in stock. Its a bit weak on the CPU/RAM front, but for what i'm using it for (ebooks, netflix, and random PCish tasks (largly RDP) when i'm to lazy to get out of bed and grab the laptop) its not a bad device except for the one "issue" which is that it doesn't have a headphone jack. Something I would have probably returned it for had I paid closer to MSRP on it. Its a reasonable upgrade to the chewi windows tablet I was using before, which also has a weak cpu (but more ram) and a screen that isn't as nice.
- midoridensha 4y ago
  >Yah I don't get why these laptop manufactures keep shipping garbage screens. Because they're cheaper. >My laptop has a 16:9 that looks worse, and has lower resolution despite the machine costing 6x as much. Right, so your laptop mfgr spent less money on the screen, charged more money, and got a higher profit margin -> win! This lets their execs get bigger bonuses so they can buy better yachts. What's not to like here?
JasonFruit 4y ago
I'm a customer, and I like the 16x9 screen. Works great for my old school workflows and aging eyes. Of course, I don't know what I'm missing.

greyw 4y ago

Interesting. For me the screen needs to be 16:9 or 16:10 to be even considered.

lost_tourist 4y ago
that's the same for me. I tend to have "two" windows open at most times and that works well for me on my 15" laptop (ancient by most HN standards). I've looked at the ultrawide and 4:3 screens and I'm good with the current "standard" form factor when I can't get to my 3 monitor setup at home.

inetknght 4y ago

> The first thing I see is a 16x9 screen, think "pass", and close the page. I like 16x9. What do you want instead?

haunter 4y ago
Not OP but I guess 4:3 or 3:2. Some people prefer those to widescreens, having more vertical space is better MS Surface Books are 3:2 for example (2256 x 1504 on 13,5" / 2496 x 1664 on 15"), or some Thinkpad X1 models are 4:3 (probably just the Fold?). The Framework laptop is also 3:2 (2256 x 1504 on 13,5")
- RodGodKiller 4y ago
  He probably meant 16:10.
  - karmakaze 4y ago
    Yes, I meant 16:10, though 3:2 is also good. 4:3 is really only for tablets or < 12" screens.
- crclist 4y ago
  Looks like it’s been longer than I realized since I last paid attention to displays. That’s wonderful that alternatives to 16:9 are rising again.
- accrual 4y ago
  I recently started using a 1280x1024 display in a 5:4 ratio for my retro PC. I really like it. It's more square than 4:3 and feels very utilitarian. On the other hand, I still prefer 16:10 over 16:9 for modern displays.
  - selfhoster11 4y ago
    Any thoughts on the LG DualUp [0]? It looks quite interesting for portrait mode work, but I've held off from purchasing due to the... unusual aspect ratio and the fact that it'd be rather difficult to use for watching video content. [0]: https://www.lg.com/uk/monitors/lg-28mq780-b https://www.lg.com/uk/monitors/lg-28mq780-b
    - accrual 4y ago
      It looks really interesting! I found using a different aspect ratio (5:4 in my recent case) changes how I view and interact with the computer. It just feels refreshing to use something different after years of 16:9 and 16:10. Your window layout might be different, which may or may not benefit your workflow. I agree video content might look a little strange unless it was kept on either the top or bottom, and not full screened.
    - karmakaze 4y ago
      I can't imagine it makes the most sense unless you got two of them side-by-side--though that would depend on the nature of your work. I use a 43" 4k 16:9 monitor and don't use the full height, leaving part of the top and bottom edges empty. Moving your eyes/head that much vertically just doesn't seem very natural or ergonomic.
deergomoo 4y ago
I'm not OP but 16:10 or 3:2 are great aspect ratios for laptops.
Raphael 4y ago
16:9 demands true full-screen for viewing 16:9 content. 16:10 leaves a little room for toolbars if you just want to maximize a window and look at something.

sylens 4y ago

1080p too. Really hard for me to go back at this point.

smoldesu 4y ago
There's hope that a 4k screen option might exist, but anything between 1080p and 4k will not look good on Linux at this size. Without fractional scaling or funny supersampling tricks, Linux only really looks good at 100% and 200% scaling. Maybe in time that will change, but that's just how Linux is for now.
- cevn 4y ago
  Fractional scaling is a 99% solved problem at least on KDE, even with Wayland it seems to work fine for me. Just a few apps are blurry which I don't use.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
  - AzzieElbab 4y ago
    PopOs - System76 distro supports fractional scaling.
    - noisem4ker 4y ago
      ...the GNOME/Apple hacky way, that is rendering at an integer multiple and then downscaling as needed. It works, but it's not optimal, and won't ever be as sharp as it could be.
      - DiabloD3 4y ago
        The Gnome/Apple way is also apps can opt out when they do their own scaling, such as browsers, and can just stream the output directly at 1:1. The fix, unfortunately, is blame the hardware. Desktop monitors that don't approach standard DPIs shouldn't be still produced in the 2020s, 24" 1080p and 24" 4k are perfectly common and optimal for their intended uses. And yes, I think 27" 1440p shouldn't exist... it isn't an integer multiple of 1080p (thus a poorly handled edge case of scaling rasterized media resources, ie, videos), but also, if you wish to maintain proper intended DPI scaling for ye average asset, 1440p needs to be 32".

StillBored 4y ago

Yah I don't get why these laptop manufactures keep shipping garbage screens. I got a 3:2 2160 x 1440, IPS screen on a $200 tablet a few months ago. My laptop has a 16:9 that looks worse, and has lower resolution despite the machine costing 6x as much. So, please, its hard to call your product "premium" if its screen is worse than a bottom of the barrel tablet.

okasaki 4y ago
That sounds nice. What tablet is that? It's pretty sad that tablets seem to be elongating like phones did. Most of them are 16:10 these days.
- StillBored 4y ago
  I think it was this one: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-11-tablet-intel-pentium-4gb-memory-128gb-ssd-natural-silver/6492318.p?skuId=6492318 https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-11-tablet-intel-pentium-4gb-... it was on sale for $199, or $299 with the keyboard. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-11-tablet-intel-pentium-4gb-memory-128gb-ssd-with-keyboard-natural-silver/6492320.p?skuId=6492320 https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-11-tablet-intel-pentium-4gb-... But only that second link is still in stock. Its a bit weak on the CPU/RAM front, but for what i'm using it for (ebooks, netflix, and random PCish tasks (largly RDP) when i'm to lazy to get out of bed and grab the laptop) its not a bad device except for the one "issue" which is that it doesn't have a headphone jack. Something I would have probably returned it for had I paid closer to MSRP on it. Its a reasonable upgrade to the chewi windows tablet I was using before, which also has a weak cpu (but more ram) and a screen that isn't as nice.
midoridensha 4y ago
>Yah I don't get why these laptop manufactures keep shipping garbage screens. Because they're cheaper. >My laptop has a 16:9 that looks worse, and has lower resolution despite the machine costing 6x as much. Right, so your laptop mfgr spent less money on the screen, charged more money, and got a higher profit margin -> win! This lets their execs get bigger bonuses so they can buy better yachts. What's not to like here?

JasonFruit 4y ago

I'm a customer, and I like the 16x9 screen. Works great for my old school workflows and aging eyes. Of course, I don't know what I'm missing.