NP8660: WUXGA or WSXGA+?

[Randolph]

I've decided that the NP8660 would be the best way for me to go, but the only part I'm stuck on is the screen type. I would generally go for the higher resolution, but will it be difficult to read text on the small screen? I know that there are ways to increase the dpi in Vista, but does that affect text sizes, images, or both? And does it cause problems with layouts in various programs?

I am aware that the best answer to my questions would be to play around with a couple of laptops with the available options, but I'm not entirely sure if that is a possibility as the local Best Buy and Circuit City aren't exactly known for their in-store display models.

If I were to order the NP8660 with the WUXGA and found the resolution problematic, would I be able to tweak the computer to improve things reliably without having to send it off for a replacement?

Also, I will be using the computer mainly for gaming (probably relatively light graphics, in the order of MMO's mainly, but with possible heavy graphics games in the future), note taking, web surfing, and movie watching, if that has any bearing on suggestions.

[Anewbus]

Well, your games and movies will look better of course in the higher res. If you have the higher res screen that means that screen is capable of displaying that res. I have the same high res screen on my Force 3298v2 (coming), you can always lower the res in your display adjustments. I know XP, I'm not sure where those would be in Vista.

[Randolph]

Wouldn't lowering the res from the native resolution of the screen have a bad image, though? I've always thought that with an LCD, it's pretty much locked in to whatever the native resolution is if you want a quality view.

[OregonCoastGamer]

Lowering the resolution can make it look a little funny on a desktop LCD, but imagine a 24" screen res scaled down to a 17" screen size. It is only really noticable if your gaming at a lower resolution (a bit fuzzy).

[Randolph]

I think I will go with the WUXGA, on the strength of the replies so far and after seeing this http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061211/vista-dpi-scaling/

Seems Vista has really improved the dpi scaling from XP. I'm thinking that res vs. screen size won't be as big of an issue with that amount of flexibility. Thanks for the replies!