Laptop displays have come a long way over the past few years, particularly when it comes to gaming laptops. The evolution from basic IPS panels to mini-LED and OLED options has brought about significant improvements in terms of refresh rates, response times, and HDR capabilities. To showcase just how far laptop displays have come, a recent comparison was made between three Asus laptops from the last three years, all equipped with mini-LED displays.
The three laptops in question are the 2024 Scar 18, the 2023 Scar 16, and the 2022 Flow X16, all featuring 1600p, mini-LED displays under the Asus ROG Nebula HDR branding. While these laptops differ in size and specifications, the focus here is on the advancements in mini-LED technology. Interestingly, despite the minimal changes in the numbers and specs over the years, the practical usage and experience of using these displays reveals a significant leap in performance.
One of the key factors contributing to this improvement is the number of dimming zones. The higher the number of dimming zones, the more granular control of brightness can be achieved across the entire display. In this case, the 2022 Flow X16 has 512 zones, the 2023 Scar 16 has 1,024 zones, and the 2024 Scar 18 boasts a whopping 2,304 zones. Surprisingly, the conventional wisdom that more zones would result in a reduction of blooming did not hold true in this instance. The displays handled blooming very well, making it nearly impossible to spot any differences between the three screens, even in a blind test.
Despite this, the increase in dimming zones did have a tangible impact on the HDR performance of these displays. The 2022 Flow X16 seemed to reach a limit where the brightness dropped in order to maintain color, while the 2023 and 2024 models displayed better balance between color and brightness. Surprisingly, the objective metrics showed that all three displays had similar color coverage and accuracy, as well as comparable brightness and contrast results. However, the actual user experience and visual quality were vastly different, particularly when it came to gaming.
In a real-world scenario playing a complex game like Cyberpunk 2077, the higher zone count on the 2024 model allowed for smoother transitions to areas with lower brightness, as well as more accurate handling of complex lighting situations. The overall contrast and brightness of the displays were similar, but the localized control of brightness and contrast on the 2024 model made a noticeable difference in the visual experience.
In conclusion, while the objective metrics may not reveal significant differences between these displays, the practical usage and visual experience paint a different picture. The advancements in mini-LED technology, particularly in terms of the number of dimming zones, have resulted in a substantial improvement in the overall performance and user experience of these laptop displays.
Opinion:
The comparison of these three Asus laptops with mini-LED displays clearly demonstrates the significant progress that has been made in display technology in just a few years. It’s fascinating to see how advancements in the number of dimming zones have led to tangible improvements in HDR performance and user experience, despite minimal changes in the objective metrics. This serves as a reminder that the practical application and user satisfaction are often more telling than pure technical specifications. As technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how further innovations in display technology shape the future of gaming laptops and other devices. Exciting times lie ahead for display technology, and the improvements showcased in these mini-LED laptops are just the beginning of what’s to come.