\paperw8640 \margr0\margl0\ATXph0 \plain \fs20 \f1 Size, resolution and display technology all affect performance and cost.\par
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Thin Film Transistor (also known as activ
e matrix or TFT) is ideal because it provides a faster, higher contrast display. What's more, it can be viewed comfortably from just about any angle, and provides a more consistent quality under a variety of lighting conditions.\par
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Check the scre
en resolution, which effectively governs how much you can view at any one time. Today, most desktops run at 800 x 600, and you can reasonably set this as the minimum requirement for a portable. Most portables can drive higher resolutions when they are pl
ugged into an external monitor. If you are likely to connect to a monitor, perhaps via a docking station or to give presentations, check this aspect. Also check whether the portable can drive both its screen and an external monitor simultaneously - this
facility can be useful during presentations.\par
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Finally, size of screen is important. The current effective range of sizes is between 10.4 and 12.1 inches. In general, the larger the display, the more expensive (although a larger screen running a
t lower resolution can be a pragmatic choice over a smaller screen running at a higher resolution).\par
