Apparent resolution restriction on Macbooks?

[jon86]

Hi.

As a Windows-based PC user, I have come to appreciate the design and sheer elegance of Macs. What I don't really understand is why there is a (n apparent) restriction of the resolution that the Macbook screens can handle. For example, 13.3" Macbook native seems to be 1280 x 800, 15.4" Macbook Pro, 1440 x 900 (I think) and 17" Macbook Pro, 1680 x 1050.

I was wondering, why is it that Dells (and others) can handle 1680 x 1050 and higher resolutions on 15.4" screens but Macs don't seem to be able to? I use quite an old Dell 15.4" laptop and it's native resolution is 1680 x 1050. Is there a software restriction that can be unlocked (without breaking any rules)?

Thanks.
Jon

 

[jon86]

But I want a 15.4" that does 1680 x 1050...

One of my housemates informs me that there is no such restriction on external monitors so I have to assume that Apple have just chosen to use monitors that are incapable of producing the higher resolutions.

EDIT: What I mean is that a 13.3" notebook can output a resolution higher than the native notebook screen resolution.

 

[jon86]

I am just a bit disappointed that I can't get a 1680 x 1050 15.4" Macbook, having got used to 1680 x 1050 on my Dell.