What's the difference in laptop monitor types?


  1. Posts : 409
    Windows 10 home Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045) and Windows 11 on laptop
       #1

    What's the difference in laptop monitor types?


    I bought a HP Pavilion dv6 a couple of years ago and am marginally satisfied. I ordered it with upgraded RAM, CPU, and blu-ray burner. What I didn't pay attention to is the monitor. Now that I am into photo editing there is frustration with the picture looking different based on the position of the monitor - especially brightness and contrast. A more savvy friend said that I should have ordered the laptop with a better monitor.

    I'm now thinking of getting an external monitor. Hopefully one that is portable rather than one designed to be used with a desktop machine. I only use the laptop on vacation (like now) and would like something where the stand folds into the body or similar.

    My main need is to know what type of monitor to look for: LED, LCD, tft or whatever.

    Thanks for any advice.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #2

    TFT = thin film transistor. (I believe that it's basically equivalent to active matrix.) I haven't seen a passive matrix monitor in many years. I only saw them built into laptops. You wouldn't want passive matrix even if you could find one.

    Most flat panel displays are LCD. The exceptions I've seen are OLED (organic LED). I'm not sure whether any stand-alone OLED computer monitors are currently available.

    LED is somewhat misleading. Currently, it usually means an LCD display with an LED backlight. (The older standard uses fluorescent tubes.) It's preferred because it uses less power, can provide better color fidelity, and (mainly in TVs) can provide an extended dynamic range.

    There are a variety of LCD types. The most primitive (and cheapest) uses TN (twisted nematic) panels. They have a quick response time, but also have issue with color shift with viewing angle. IPS (in plane switching) panels are preferred for things like image editing. There are other types of panels, but these are the two commonest.

    I have never looked at monitors intended for portable use. It may be a fairly limited market. (Buyer's remorse.)
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 13,898
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #3

    Over the years Notebooks have come to have the same power as desktops except in the display panel, hard to be changed and that does impact getting the best video and graphics editing. My 15.6" Pavilion g6 has a VGA port for a projector or external monitor, many newer ones are coming with an HDMI port for the same purpose. The LCD panel is not a true monitor, relies on the motherboard and/or an interface between the motherboard and the panel for operation. LCD monitors do use the same type panel but include more hardware in them, some can even be used as televisions.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 409
    Windows 10 home Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045) and Windows 11 on laptop
    Thread Starter
       #4

    yeah, I guess buyers remorse describes my dilemma.

    So from reading these responses there isn't a good recommendation for an external monitor for a laptop. My HP does have HDMI out. When I really want to avoid the changing of brightness/contrast with display tilt I plug into my HDMI port on a TV.

    Thanks for your inputs. I'll continue to entertain other advice if someone comes up with an idea. I did find a portable here but won't buy it without further research into the quality of the displayed image. Also, I'd like something in the 20" range.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #5

    I'm dubious about monitors that only have a USB interface. USB 3, though, should have enough bandwidth. Does your laptop have one?

    Here's an example that is USB powered:

    ASUS MB169B1 - Newegg.com

    It's IPS, so angle of incidence effects should be minimal. (15.6")
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 121
    windows 10 pro
       #6

    My daughter has an HP Pavilion Dv6 she bought three years ago the display is awesome I'm just thinking that you might not have the correct driver for your display I will check that first if that's not the case consider also upgrading the video card then good luck I like that external monitor thatbobkn posted
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 409
    Windows 10 home Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045) and Windows 11 on laptop
    Thread Starter
       #7

    gijoetech1 said:
    My daughter has an HP Pavilion Dv6 she bought three years ago the display is awesome I'm just thinking that you might not have the correct driver for your display I will check that first if that's not the case consider also upgrading the video card then good luck I like that external monitor thatbobkn posted
    I agree that the monitor is great for straight-on viewing and most apps like text and data. Bring up a photo on your daughter's Dv6 and tilt the monitor forward and backward. You will see a dramatic change in brightness and contrast. This makes finalizing the photo edit unadviseable. I've finalized an edit only to find that when I viewed it on my desktop or HDMI-TV the edits needed to be redone.
      My Computers


 

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