I do a lot of photography work on my computer and finding my Notebook screen a bit contrasty and colors not true. Its a cheper to midrange notebook (Huawei Matebook D15) so a very average display probably to be expected, from memory always been like this. Would be quite happy to use a better keyboard rather than the notebook one also. I would love to buy an Macbook or something with better graphics but I am hoping I can acheive the same result using the notebook as a PC basically, seperate keyboard and display. I don't do any gaming or any heavy duty computing...don't even use high level graphics or programs....just want more control and a clearer screen.

Will a stand alone screen likely have better results re display?

Will it have its own independant contrast, brightness, color controls? One of the issues now very contrasty and no onboard controls apart through Windows, which don't have a lot of control at all. I think the screen has always been like this, not deteriorating or anything,

Using a seperate screen and keyboard, can I use the notebook with the screen closed and locate it out the way somewhere connected to screen / keyboard? Basically using it like a PC body. Usually when I close the screen it automatically shuts off

Any help or advice appreciated

1 hour ago, Kenny202 said:

I do a lot of photography work on my computer and finding my Notebook screen a bit contrasty and colors not true. Its a cheper to midrange notebook (Huawei Matebook D15) so a very average display probably to be expected, from memory always been like this. Would be quite happy to use a better keyboard rather than the notebook one also. I would love to buy an Macbook or something with better graphics but I am hoping I can acheive the same result using the notebook as a PC basically, seperate keyboard and display. I don't do any gaming or any heavy duty computing...don't even use high level graphics or programs....just want more control and a clearer screen.

Will a stand alone screen likely have better results re display?

Will it have its own independant contrast, brightness, color controls? One of the issues now very contrasty and no onboard controls apart through Windows, which don't have a lot of control at all. I think the screen has always been like this, not deteriorating or anything,

Using a seperate screen and keyboard, can I use the notebook with the screen closed and locate it out the way somewhere connected to screen / keyboard? Basically using it like a PC body. Usually when I close the screen it automatically shuts off

Any help or advice appreciated

Depends if cost of upgrading laptop vs new monitor and wireless mouse & keyboard. Latter 2 / M & KB inexpensive. And would it make things more or less convenient, as not stuck to a certain location to use laptop, or un & replugging every time you want to use elsewhere.

Better screen will depend on specs of monitor. My TV is not as crisp and bright as phone or laptop, but could be simply because of specs, or screen size, as most things look better on smaller screens.

I'm not too techy, but will depend on specs of laptop, I would think, as mine is pretty good, along with phone, so not sure if TV not up to par, or simply being stretched out affects the resolution.

I do a lot of photography editing, and can't crop in smaller than 1080p, or the image is crap on the TV, though no matter what size, usually, smaller 720p or even less, looks good on laptop or phone. Same with torrents, though I do watch 720p more often, as can stretch out 16:9 to use full screen, and prefer that to added sharpness of 1080p, if not too distorted.

This is my set up, and laptop sits under the monitor / TV, and use wireless keyboard & mouse, as I sit shy of 4 meters away from. Hence the TV is 55", but also used to watch torrents.

See the wire on floor in photo, as I sit just a bit too far, so need to move the 'wireless' sensor closer. 25+ yr old keyboard, but use to it, so never upgraded. Also I cover the laptop with paper towel, keeps dust at bay, and since stays on 24 hrs, use as night light, with no issues of overheating.

7 hours ago, Kenny202 said:

I do a lot of photography work on my computer and finding my Notebook screen a bit contrasty and colors not true. Its a cheper to midrange notebook (Huawei Matebook D15) so a very average display probably to be expected, from memory always been like this. Would be quite happy to use a better keyboard rather than the notebook one also. I would love to buy an Macbook or something with better graphics but I am hoping I can acheive the same result using the notebook as a PC basically, seperate keyboard and display. I don't do any gaming or any heavy duty computing...don't even use high level graphics or programs....just want more control and a clearer screen.

Will a stand alone screen likely have better results re display?

Will it have its own independant contrast, brightness, color controls? One of the issues now very contrasty and no onboard controls apart through Windows, which don't have a lot of control at all. I think the screen has always been like this, not deteriorating or anything,

Using a seperate screen and keyboard, can I use the notebook with the screen closed and locate it out the way somewhere connected to screen / keyboard? Basically using it like a PC body. Usually when I close the screen it automatically shuts off

Any help or advice appreciated

There are settings in Windows wherein you can choose what happens when you close the lid. Do Nothing should be your choice. It will be under Power Options.

As you state, it's not a suitable display for photo editing:

1. Size: 15.6-inch (IPS)

2. Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080p)

3. Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

4. Brightness: 250 nits (Typical)

5. Aspect Ratio: 16:9

6. Contrast Ratio: 800:1

7. Color Gamut: ~60% sRGB

I would be looking at a 4k display with higher brightness and a far wider colour gamut.

Your current display is simply not capable of producing the colours.

Though the best for the job can be a bit pricy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd-ix7p-aho

If too much, consider the Asus ProArt PA248QV..

If you want really colourful and also working with video, https://www.jib.co.th/web/product/readProduct/58126/MONITOR--จอมอนิเตอร์--MSI-G274QPF-QD---27-INCH-IPS-2K-170Hz-G-SYNC-COMPATIBLE

Maybe you can organise a demo.

My laptop is a low end ASUS, but doesn't have and integrated graphic card, and a plus for fast editing. NVIDIA GeForce MX 350 series, w/ 2GB dedicated memory.

Cost in the mid ฿20k range, now, would be ฿30k +/-.

Don't know if this helps, but these are my specs, and wouldn't want anything less:

Based on the provided search results, the ASUS Vivobook 14 X413 series (which fits the "X421FAY" / X413 description) generally features a 14.0-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display.

Here are the specific display specifications for the VivoBook 14 (X413/K413) models:

• Resolution: FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 aspect ratio

• Panel Type: IPS-level Panel or LED Backlit

• Refresh Rate: 60Hz

• Brightness: Options include 220 nits or 250 nits

• Color Gamut: Typically 45% NTSC

• Surface: Anti-glare display

• Screen-to-body ratio: 84%

18 hours ago, KhunLA said:

My laptop is a low end ASUS, but doesn't have and integrated graphic card, and a plus for fast editing. NVIDIA GeForce MX 350 series, w/ 2GB dedicated memory.

Cost in the mid ฿20k range, now, would be ฿30k +/-.

Don't know if this helps, but these are my specs, and wouldn't want anything less:

Based on the provided search results, the ASUS Vivobook 14 X413 series (which fits the "X421FAY" / X413 description) generally features a 14.0-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display.

Here are the specific display specifications for the VivoBook 14 (X413/K413) models:

• Resolution: FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 aspect ratio

• Panel Type: IPS-level Panel or LED Backlit

• Refresh Rate: 60Hz

• Brightness: Options include 220 nits or 250 nits

• Color Gamut: Typically 45% NTSC

• Surface: Anti-glare display

• Screen-to-body ratio: 84%

That's not much better than the one described in the first post. Relatively low brightness, so only useful indoors and a relatively limited colour gamut.

Using sound as an analogy, imagine speakers that cannot produce high and low frequencies.

Your 45% NTSC is equal to around 72% sRGB. So marginally better than the one in the first post.

One of the cheapest monitors described in my post, Asus ProArt PA248QV(around 7,000 baht) has the following specs:

Key Specifications:

• Display: 24.1-inch IPS panel with LED backlight, 1920 x 1200 resolution (WUXGA), 16:10 aspect ratio.

• Colour Accuracy: 100% sRGB/Rec. 709 colour gamut, and factory-calibrated colour accuracy

• Performance: 75Hz refresh rate, 5ms (GTG) response time, 300 cd/m²(nits) brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio.

• Connectivity: 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x HDMI (v1.4), 1x VGA, 4x USB 3.0 Type-A ports, Earphone jack, Audio-in.

• Ergonomics: Height (0~130mm), Tilt (+35° ~ -5°), Swivel (+90° ~ -90°), and Pivot (+90° ~ -90°).

• Features: ProArt Preset/Palette, Adaptive-Sync, Flicker-Free, Low Blue Light, VESA mount (100x100mm), 2W x 2 Stereo Speakers.

• Dimensions/Weight: 53.3 x 37.5-50.5 x 21.1 cm (with stand); 6.1 kg.

The monitor is designed for colour accuracy in photo/video editing and graphic design, offering a 16:10 aspect ratio which provides more vertical space than standard 16:9 Full HD displays.

Thanks for all the advice. I bit the bullet yesterday and got a Lenovo l22-4e screen, just under 2000 baht. Not high end or expensive but man 300% improvement. Best thin 3 year in home pick up / drop off warranty. It's like having a new computer. Was actually quite difficult to find a stand alone screen in the city I live, no one here keeps stock of anything anymore. All the big places advertise they have these things but only available online. Anyway, very happy with it and everything clicking now, even managed to declutter my work area. I think for my next computer I will just buy a PC box set up, don't really have need for a notebook anymore. If I go away will take my ipad. Traditional PC about half the price of a notebook. Thanks again everyone

5 hours ago, Kenny202 said:

Thanks for all the advice. I bit the bullet yesterday and got a Lenovo l22-4e screen, just under 2000 baht. Not high end or expensive but man 300% improvement. Best thin 3 year in home pick up / drop off warranty. It's like having a new computer. Was actually quite difficult to find a stand alone screen in the city I live, no one here keeps stock of anything anymore. All the big places advertise they have these things but only available online. Anyway, very happy with it and everything clicking now, even managed to declutter my work area. I think for my next computer I will just buy a PC box set up, don't really have need for a notebook anymore. If I go away will take my ipad. Traditional PC about half the price of a notebook. Thanks again everyone

A much wider colour palette. Not a bad choice, for the money:

• Panel Type: IPS (In-Plane Switching) with WLED backlight

• Screen Size: 21.5 inches

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)

• Refresh Rate: 100 Hz

• Response Time: 4 ms (Extreme Mode), 6 ms (Normal)

• Brightness: 250 cd/m²

• Contrast Ratio: 1300:1

• Colour Coverage: 99% sRGB

• Viewing Angle: 178° / 178°

• Connectivity: 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x VGA

• Adjustment: Tilt (-5° to 22°)

• VESA Mounting: 100 x 100 mm

• Dimensions (with stand): 489.3 x 174.0 x 379.4 mm