Isn't a QHD laptop better than a 4K one?

shaunakde

Prominent
Aug 21, 2017
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510
Looking at the massive drop in battery life models like the Dell XPS undergo when you pick a 4K display over a 1080p one, doesn't it make more sense for manufacturers to tread the middle ground and use a QHD or 2880x1800-ish (retina) display?

The display on the macbooks and surface 4 for example are about this resolution and strike the right balance between how good they look, and the hit to battery life. So why don't more manufacturers offer this option.

I'm also wondering how much of this extra energy load is because of the touchscreen, and is there a way to disable to touchscreen to improve battery life?

PS: (I'd be very thankful if you could point me to QHD or a 2880x1800-ish laptops that aren't the surface or the macbook with discrete NVIDIA graphics - I am looking to upgrade for machine learning experiments)





 
Solution
WQHD = Wide Quad HD = 2160 x 1440 = 1440p (many times simply referred to as QHD for monitors)
UHD = Ultra HD = 3840 x 2160 = 4k


4k is the new "hotness" and is what "discriminating consumers" want.

Supahos

Honorable
Nov 11, 2013
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Whoops dropped the ball there. Yeah I forgot they kinda have gotten wonky with the naming stuff. QHD is usually 1440p on a monitor. My TV is a qhd 4k... Annoying as hell.

Anyways. On a smaller screen honestly the difference is neglible. On a 27" monitor I can see the difference between 4k&1440p at 22" I can't. To me the battery life would be more Paramount to resolution assuming you operate on battery often. A dim 4k screen to save battery is tougher on your eyes than a brighter 1080p even.
 

shaunakde

Prominent
Aug 21, 2017
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510
I hear you, I've spent a very confused past few days. Right now the surface book with performance base seems like my best option. The QHD/retina-ish/pixel sense or what ever display is pretty good and has a NVIDIA card. I was just wondering if there were cheaper options.
 

TJ Hooker

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Apr 15, 2014
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10,710

Typo I'm assuming, 1440p is 2560 (not 2160) by 1440. Also sometimes referred to as 2K resolution (which irks me).