XPS2 - Help me with two questions/problems re: RAM and LCD

OK, so I'm sure this screen looks pretty good...but I'm bummed about ONE screen spec:

Yay:

• 17 inch Ultra SharpTM WUXGA with TrueLifeTM
• Native Resolution 1920 x 1200 pixels
• MegaPixels 2.3 Mpixels
• Pixel Pitch 0.191 mm
• Luminance/Brightness (typical) 185 cd/m2 (nits)
• HorizontalViewing Angle +/ - 65 degrees

ARGH!!!!

• Vertical Viewing Angle +/ - 45 degrees
• Contrast Ratio 300:1

I do tons of precise Photoshop work, and I like to have a very broad vertical viewing angle -- which also good for commuting -- the brightness stays completely even across the screen. There's no hunting for that "sweet spot." We've seen a few screens with +/- 70 degrees --- I hate losing that.

MOST people won't need that, but Sager and formerly Dell were both really good about having screens with a wide viewing angle.



Other than that -- and RAM -- looks great.

TWO QUESTIONS

Question One: Has anyone see these screens that can comment?

Question Two: What's the best decision with regard to RAM? I need 2GB (heavy Photoshop, Web design, usually 5-10 programs going at once) - but there's no way I'm paying Dell prices for RAM. Has anyone found an aftermarket solution for RAM?

You're probably looking at the "combined" viewing angle. For example, many Sager laptops with the "wide viewing angle" screens have +/- 70 degrees (in other words, 140 degrees total).

Most consumer laptops don't have great viewing angle. The two companies who have gone the extra mile to push wide viewing angles are Dell and Sager. The average person probably wouldn't notice much of a difference, but for me it's an issue because I often have to work when traveling. As a result, if I do anything in Photoshop, I'm always trying to find the "sweet spot" where the brightness reflects accurate toning for the original.

If the machine has a narrow viewing angle, it really looks best on a desk. If you're in a cramped train seat, for example, you can't bend the screen back far enough to get even tonality across the screen.

I have the old 8200 with the 15" UXGA +/- 70 screen -- they don't even make it anymore for Dell machines. But everyone that sees the screen comments on how great it is. It's also really good for giving presentations to small groups of people or watching DVDs, because you can be sitting at numerous angles and still see everything on the screen.

The horizontal spec if fine; I'm concerned about the vertical spec, since that is usually the most significant (because it forces you to bend the screen back to a specific position to get a good view).