Laptops are often characterized by their performance, as well as the speed of the processor and the storage capacity of the hard drive. When talking about laptop screens, screen size is often the only specification mentioned, and users don’t seem to go into depth when it comes to choosing screens. However, the laptop screen plays an important role in the performance of the laptop. A good screen allows the user to spend long hours in front of the laptop without straining their eyes. On the other hand, a good screen can also be used in different types of situation, both under sunlight as well as in the dark.
All current laptops come equipped with LCD screens. By knowing the types of LCD panels and how they are used, you can choose to purchase the best display available and significantly increase performance with your laptop.
Types of laptop screens
All current laptops come equipped with LCD screens. “LCD” stands for “liquid crystal display”, LCD screens contain liquid crystals that work like shutters, either letting light through or blocking it. LCD offers sharp images with true colors and accurate image quality. A typical LCD panel consists of five layers: a white backlight for illumination, polarizing filters to align light waves, an RGB filter for colors, liquid crystal cells, and another polarizing filter. Laptop screens fall into two types, depending on the backlight technology used. If you are looking for a screen for your laptop, you need to know what technology your laptop requires, because they are not interchangeable.
CCFL Backlit Laptop Screens
“CCFL” stands for “cold cathode fluorescent light”, this is an older backlight technology. This technology uses a fluorescent tube powered by an inverter. CCFL displays typically come with one or two bulbs, referred to as 1-CCFL and 2-CCFL, respectively. When looking for a new LCD-CCFL screen, you should pay attention to these details, otherwise the screen may not work with your laptop.
1-CCFL, also known as single backlight technology, is commonly used in laptop displays. This type of display contains a light bulb, which turns the display on, along with a pair of wires at the bottom and an inverter connector connected to an inverter board. A 2 CCFL display contains two bulbs, as well as two inverting wires and inverting connectors. This backlight technology is used in laptops that have screens that are 15.4 inches or larger.
LED Backlit Laptop Screens
“LED” stands for “light emitting diode” and such diodes are used to illuminate the laptop screen. At the bottom of the screen is the inverter that most LED screens require to work. Backlight power can also come via a ribbon cable or via a video connection if an inverter is not used. Compared to CCFL screens, LED screens consume less power and therefore allow for longer battery life. In addition to this, LED screens are thinner and lighter and get less hot than CCFL screens. If your laptop uses an LED backlight, it should be listed in your laptop’s specifications.
Comparison of CCFL and LED screens for laptops
The two backlight technologies used in laptop displays are compared in the table below. You can review the main features of both backlight technologies and read about their features.
Knowing the structure of the backlights used in laptop screens makes it easier to determine the type used in your laptop, however this is usually detailed in its specifications.
Laptop screen and LCD panel features
In addition to the backlight technology used in the laptop screen, there are other features to consider: contrast, viewing angle, response time, brightness, native resolution, and screen size.
Laptop screen contrast ratio
When looking for a new screen, you should always consider its contrast ratio, because this has an important role in image quality. The contrast ratio is the difference between the brightest (white) pixels and the darkest (black) pixels, and is expressed as two numbers. These numbers show how many bright pixels there are, compared to dark pixels. The higher the first number, the better the contrast ratio and the more vivid images will appear on the screen. The minimum contrast ratio to consider is 350:1, while contrast ratios of 500:1 and up are considered good.
Laptop screen viewing angle
The laptop screen viewing angle gives you information about the locations from which you can view the screen. The wider the viewing angle, the more people can see it at once, especially from the sides. If you don’t want to view your laptop from the sides, then a viewing angle of 110 degrees is adequate. If you intend to view the screen with a group of people, then it is better to go for a viewing angle of 160 degrees. You should also know that the color intensity decreases if an LCD screen is viewed from the side. Therefore, look for models that use special technologies that align the patterns and make it easier to see from the side.
Laptop screen response time
Laptop screen response time refers to the amount of time it takes for the pixels on the panel to change from completely black to completely white and vice versa. Response time is measured in milliseconds (ms) and the shorter the time, the better. If the response time is a large number, then the response is slow. The recommended minimum response time is between 25 and 17 ms. If your notebook is equipped with a digital video card, select a display with a response time of 16ms or less. With slow response times, you may also encounter latency that blurs images on the laptop screen.
Laptop screen brightness
The brighter the laptop screen, the easier it will be to see. High brightness is essential if you are using a laptop in direct sunlight. If you normally use your laptop in darker rooms, then a high brightness level may not be the best option for you, as it can strain your eyes. Also, if the brightness is higher, the side viewing angle also tends to be lower. Brightness is measured in candelas per square meter. The brightest models can provide around 450 nits.
Laptop screen native resolution
The native resolution of a laptop screen refers to its actual measurement. Native resolution is expressed in pixels, in vertical and horizontal order, respectively. For the best performance, go for high-resolution displays that have more pixels. The more pixels appear on the screen, the sharper the image will be.
Laptop screen size
If you are looking for a laptop replacement screen, then its size is already determined by the laptop model you have. However, if you are going to buy a new laptop, then you can decide the size of the screen. Screen size expresses its diagonal length, measured across the screen. If you are going to use the laptop for everyday use, it is better to choose a small screen. The smallest ones measure around 11 inches. For home use, you can opt for a larger screen, 15.4 inches and above. If you are concerned about your eyesight, you may want to choose a larger screen that allows you to see the text on the screen easily, but you can also increase the text font size if necessary. If you buy a laptop with a larger screen, You can mount it on a stand and create a workplace at home. Preferably the screen should be at eye level.
Conclusion
The screen is a very important part of a laptop, because its quality determines the quality of the image, which in turn can affect the amount of strain it puts on your eyes. Today’s laptops are equipped with LCD screens. These liquid crystal displays incorporate five layers, one of which is made up of liquid crystals. LCD screens are always accompanied by a backlight, and this can be CCFL or LED, depending on the model. The technologies differ by their working principles and structure and are not interchangeable, so you need to know which one your laptop works with. LED backlight technology is newer and consumes less power, thus saving battery life. LED-backlit LCD panels are also thinner and lighter.
Other features to consider when buying a laptop screen have to do with image quality. Consider the contrast ratio, brightness, viewing angle, native resolution, and response time to get the best product that won’t hurt your eyes, especially if you work long hours on your laptop.
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