Forums | MacLife

jbm · 2009-05-17 10:55 pm

I have a MacBook Pro 15-inch 2.66 Mhz high end version with 4GB RAM and **same** NVIDIA specs as the 17-inch version. However, the video resolution can only go to 1440x900. Is this limitation due to the LED on the 15-inch MacBook Pro? ---or more of a marketing thing to differentiate it with the 17inc? It is my understanding that both video graphics (e.g. 15-inch high-end model and 17inch) are the same, but yet, the 15-inch can only go up 1440x900... Wonder if Apple will upgrade the video device driver software any time sooner to be able to drive the LED into higher resolution.... Any thoughts? Thank you. JBM

pottymouth · 2009-05-18 1:01 am

That's the native resolution of the LCD. If you want a higher resolution you'll have to use an external display capable of a higher resolution.

dv · 2009-05-18 9:09 am

Yeah, LCD limitation. No driver update can fix that.

Many years ago, there were utilities that would extend your desktop, using the existing display as a smaller "window" onto the larger virtual display. Those kinda fell by the wayside when we graduated from 512x384 to comparatively monstrous 640x480 displays. There might be a similar hack out there, though. I'd start looking at versiontracker.

Aaron_R · 2009-05-18 9:58 am

pottymouth wrote:
That's the native resolution of the LCD. If you want a higher resolution you'll have to use an external display capable of a higher resolution.

LCDs are out LEDs in

Robert B Technician · 2009-05-18 9:58 am

That's a common question we get. Yes, this is a LED limitation. There are a limited amount of pixels (in this case 1440 across by 900 tall) in the screen so this would be its max resolution.

Depending on the upgrade path of Apple, it may be possible in the future to upgrade to a new screen that may have a higher resolution. While this is rare, the early 17" PowerBooks used the same display cable as later models and are able to drive the higher res screens.

For now, you can run a larger external (I like the Apple 30 inch, 2560x1600:) to get the most resolution out of your MacBook Pro.

dv · 2009-05-18 12:29 pm

Aaron_R wrote:
pottymouth wrote:
That's the native resolution of the LCD. If you want a higher resolution you'll have to use an external display capable of a higher resolution.
LCDs are out LEDs in

I think the LEDs are used as backlights for the LCDs...

mrreet2001 · 2009-05-18 12:31 pm

They are still LCDs. They just used different lighting. shrug

jerwin · 2009-05-23 4:15 pm

A true LED display-- with millions upon millions of light emitting diodes is far superior to a led backlit display, but costs a mint.

Aaron_R · 2009-05-23 6:06 pm

Like that super sweet Samsung LED tv that was just released drool

Robert B Technician · 2009-05-25 8:40 pm

I can't wait for Apple to come out with a new 30"+ LED display

Forums | MacLife

#1 2009-05-17 10:55 pm

MacBook Pro 15inch 2.66Mhz 4GB Video Resolution 1920x1200

#2 2009-05-18 1:01 am

Re: MacBook Pro 15inch 2.66Mhz 4GB Video Resolution 1920x1200

#3 2009-05-18 9:09 am

Re: MacBook Pro 15inch 2.66Mhz 4GB Video Resolution 1920x1200

#4 2009-05-18 9:58 am

Re: MacBook Pro 15inch 2.66Mhz 4GB Video Resolution 1920x1200

pottymouth wrote:

#5 2009-05-18 9:58 am

Re: MacBook Pro 15inch 2.66Mhz 4GB Video Resolution 1920x1200

#6 2009-05-18 12:29 pm

Re: MacBook Pro 15inch 2.66Mhz 4GB Video Resolution 1920x1200

Aaron_R wrote:

pottymouth wrote:

#7 2009-05-18 12:31 pm

Re: MacBook Pro 15inch 2.66Mhz 4GB Video Resolution 1920x1200

#8 2009-05-23 4:15 pm

Re: MacBook Pro 15inch 2.66Mhz 4GB Video Resolution 1920x1200

#9 2009-05-23 6:06 pm

Re: MacBook Pro 15inch 2.66Mhz 4GB Video Resolution 1920x1200

#10 2009-05-25 8:40 pm

Re: MacBook Pro 15inch 2.66Mhz 4GB Video Resolution 1920x1200

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