I look first to a screen’s native resolution rather than its physical size. “Larger” isn’t always a better choice. The other day, I was in the local CompuBestCity and overheard the sales clerk pushing a 19” LCD over its 17” counterpart. He kept spewing out the upgrade mantra. Both screens, though, ran at the same native resolution. The larger model wouldn’t provide any more working space. It would just be a matter of one’s own comfort level. For me, a 17” flat panel running at 1280x1024 is practically ideal. A ViewSonic model is connected to my Mac-mini. For folks with less than perfect eyesight, a 19” model with the same specs might be a better choice.

My laptop is a G4 iBook with a 14” screen running at 1024x768. It’s a nice compromise. Text could be a bit sharper but the screen affords me a comfortable working distance. The new MacBook’s display leaves me a bit cold…too many pixels crammed in too small of a space.

I can understand the need for an ultra-high resolution, wide screen display…graphic designers, video editors and, I suppose, consumers who are enamored of the whole digital lifestyle scene. All those pixels would go to waste with my Mac. I’m a bit old school here, preferring a simpler and less cluttered desktop. The “Hide Others” command gets quite a bit of use and I find the presence of multiple apps or processes on screen to be a distraction.

Lucky13 - 02 December 2006 11:12 AM

I look first to a screen’s native resolution rather than its physical size. “Larger” isn’t always a better choice.

Agreed. I like my 12” iBook, it’s all i need (ALMOST). Big screens are all relative, for example, my brother’s iMac Core Duo has 17” wide. My Mini Core Solo has a generic Philips 17” 4:3. Mine is “better” because i get to have 1024 pixels of height, while he dosen’t. Yes, that’s my only complain with the iBook’s screen, just like 300 pixel short for my tastes.
So basically, till it has at least 1000 pixels on the height (y axis? i always mix them up) i’m happy. But the pixels must be small enough for the screen! For example once i’ve seen a plasma tv, like 40” at 1024x768. It was turned off, and at a few meters away i could tell where a pixel was. That really got on my nerves, it’s a thing i can’t stand.
At home my issue with monitors isn’t only that: i have space only for a 17” 4:3 one on my desk XD
And with a laptop, i want a small thing, so basically i’ll never get a 15” or bigger one.
Only thing, i’d like a full HD monitor. But that’s big stuff (heck, the 23”.....)

15” MacBook Pro with a 42” FULL HD Westinghouse 1080p monitor wall-mounted in my office.  Hook the MBP to the USB hub with the printer, keyboard, mouse and then hook up the power and video and Mac Heaven.  I’ve got Windoze XP for the proprietary work stuff and as people walk past my office (I’m a hotel GM) they often almost trip over themselves doing a double-take at the monitor.  I keep my email down on the MBP screen so it is not as visible to the outside world.

I’ve even had guests that had come to me with a complaint get so hung up on the computer setup that they practically forget what they came in for.  Great Ice Breaker!!!