Can I get a 4k output on an external monitor from a FHD laptop?

[Pacowind]

I would like to get the long battery life of the spectre x360 FHD with the possibility to plug in an external monitor and get the benefit of the 4k resolution on that external monitor.

Is it possible?

Thanks

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Can we have the full model number? The newer it is the more likely to drive a 4K monitor and if it has a USB-C/Thunderbolt it certainly does and if it is a 6th gen Intel Core CPU or newer the HDMI will also likely drive a 4K external monitor. The resolution of the main built-in laptop screen does not limit what the video chip is capable of driving externally.

[Pacowind]

Thank you very much.

I don't have the model number because I am in the process of buying.

But, from your answer, I gather that since I want the most powerfull (i7, 8th gen) laptop, it certainly will accomodate external 4k, whether it is a FHD or UHD laptop.

Thanks again.

[Pacowind]

Maybe you can answer my other question.

If i decide to go with a $K laptop.

If I want to enjoy the benefit of the 4k display at my leasure, can I still set de display option to FHD (1080) in order to save battery time when required.

Will it actually save a significant amount of battery life?

Thanks.

[Huffer]

Set the laptop screen to FHD or an external monitor? No the resolution on an external monitor will make very little difference to the battery runtime. The monitor has its own power supply. Also you never want to set the actual laptop screen to a diferent resolution. It will look terrible and saves no power. Power saving comes from reducing brightness not resolution. 

[Pacowind]

Thank you for your prompt answer.

However, I realize my question was not clear.

Let me try to put it more clearly.

Will a 4k capable laptop consume less battery if set at FHD (laptop by itself, no external monitor).

Thanks.

[Pacowind]

Oops.

I realize you answered my question very clearly.

Thanks again.

[Huffer]

No it will not. The backlight is what eats up power....the computer might actually have to use more processor cycles to work with a non-standard resolution as the video card has to do pixel translation. To save power, lower the brightness to the lowest setting you can work with, do not mess with the native resolution of a laptop. 

[Pacowind]

Thanks again.

So, in your opinion, is it worth buying a 13in laptop with a 4k screen, or will the FHD be almost just as good (with much longer battery life)?

[Huffer]

My own personal preference on anything 14 inches or smaller is 1920 x 1080. Larger resolutions are cool but many apps have scaling problems in Windows 10. Windows 10 is the best yet but some apps open up in tiny boxes and to get icons you can see you have to scale it up quite a bit which can make for odd results. 1920 x 1080 on the other hand looks sharp and crisp and "normal".