[Tfug] Most stable laptop video drivers

[Bexley Hall]

Hi Adrian,

On 1/15/2013 2:29 PM, Adrian wrote:
> On Tuesday 15 January 2013 12:58, Bexley Hall wrote:
>
>>> For example, my current laptop Radeon with the default X drivers has poor
>>> 2D performance and 3D is(was?) non-existent. With the ATI binary drivers,
>>> 2D is good and 3D is acceptable, but the ATI drivers completely fail to
>>> detect my laptop LCD correctly resulting in great pains initially
>>> installing the drivers (i.e. the ATI drivers want to launch a graphic
>>> setup screen on install.. which completely fails when it can't correctly
>>> detect the display dimensions).
>>
>> And, since you don't have the sources to *those* drivers, no easy way
>> to "fix" the problem (or even jury-rig around it)
>
> Exactly... I had to jury-rig the X config and hand-edit the driver install
> files to manually add my 1400x1050 LCD display to get a working state to do
> the installation. Once the driver was actually installed it detected and ran
> fine, but the graphical installation tool was crap.

Ah, OK.  That explains your original stated criteria.  A "lesser man"
(grin) would have been SOL!  :>

>>> My laptop requirements should be drop dead simple... but with the
>>> homogeneity in laptops today aimed at the lowest possible price point,
>>> there really isn;t much in the way of true customization it seems.
>>> Requirements (the non-HD is basically impossible for the last several
>>> years):
>>> - 15" LCD, non-HD display (i.e 4:3 or 16:10)
>>
>> 'non-HD' just so the '15"' is more usable?  (e.g., HD displays seem
>> like they need to be *much* larger than their 4:3 counterparts in order
>> to have the same "feel" as a 4:3 display)
>
> Yes, for multi (side-by-side) windows, non-HD is far more useful. I currently
> have a 15.4" SXGA+ 1400x1050 LCD. Resolution wise, a standard 15.6" HD
> display is 1366x768 or 1600x900, so you have lost up to 25% of your vertical
> resolution. Even at 1920x1080 it still sucks because that same 15.6" HD LCD
> is physically 3/4" shorter than a 4:3 or 16:10 display:
>
> 15.4" 1400x1050 - 13.1"W x 8.2"H
> 15.6" 1920x1080 - 13.5"W x 7.6"H

Understood.  I have two HD monitors here but they are on "special"
machines (also considerably larger than what you would find on a
laptop).  But, prefer a pair of (large) 4:3 monitors for each
workstation.  It's rare to need a window with a high aspect ratio
and/or size (i.e., I rarely have the need for a window to straddle
or span two monitors) so the break in the display surface doesn't
really impact usability (and not having to deal with manipulating
Z-order to get *to* a window is a real productivity enhancer!)

>>> - Network and power plugs on the same side or corner of the laptop
>>
>> Ha!  Interesting observation!  Makes sense.  E.g., I am very aware
>> of where the cords for a soldering station enter/exit the base
>> assembly for similar reasons.
>
> Yeah... I can;t figure out the mentality of knowing that a laptop will be used
> (for business) and will spend its time plugged in while in use... and then
> placing the 2 things that will be plugged in on opposite sides of the laptop.

Yup.  These are the things you only tend to notice *after* you're
committed to the device!  And, many folks don't seem to *actively*
notice (i.e., to let it drive future purchases, etc.).

E.g., when I look at homes, the first thing I check (inside) is
the height of the shower head!  Again, the sort of thing that
you tend to only notice *after* it's too late!  :-/

>>> - Decent touchpad, centrally placed
>>
>> I've gone back and forth on the pointing device choice.  I *detest*
>> nibs.  OTOH, touchpads have left me annoyed pretty often.  I think
>> mainly those that are too sensitive and "see" the heel of my palms
>> when I am typing (and my hands sag too low)
>
> I too hate pointing nubs... touchpads can be a pain when placed to one side or
> the other. Centrally placed (and not right on the edge of the keyboard), I
> can type just fine without brushing the touchpad.

I guess I'm just a lazy typist.  <frown>  Instead of holding my wrists
*up*, I tend to let them sit on the keyboard (or the wrist rest in
front of it, for desktops).  This "unloads" the shoulders (with which
I have had problems from prolonged typing/drawing over the years -- a
sort of carpal tunnel shoulder?  :> )  While this is usually clear of
the touchpad, it brings the ball of the thumb very close to the touchpad
and often has me brushing against it (sending the mouse cursor
off to who-knows-where).

Ages ago, I had built a mouse (trackball) from a bowling ball (!).
Placed on the floor (of course!), this was actually a handy pointing
device as you could rest a foot on it and get fine control without
"distracting" your hands.  (think of how you "pivot" your right
foot while driving -- to effortlessly move between the accelerator
and brake without having to lift it off the floorboards)

Of course, this isn't a very good solution for a *laptop* user!  :>

--don