Color Accuracy and Rendering

Color rendering is vital for a quality viewing experience, whether users are working on visual projects or watching videos. DXOMARK evaluates how well a laptop display manages color hues, either by precisely reproducing the colors encoded in the content or by achieving a specific color profile. For video content, we expect the display to accurately reflect the filmmaker’s intent as provided in the metadata. Our tests cover color performance for both SDR (Rec. 709 color space) and HDR (BT.2020 color space) video content.

Brightness and Contrast Performance

A laptop’s ability to handle different lighting conditions hinges on its brightness and contrast capabilities. DXOMARK tests minimum and maximum brightness levels to ensure the display can be used comfortably in both dim and brightly lit environments. We also evaluate the brightness range to determine how well the display adapts to various ambient light levels.

Display Uniformity and Reflectance

Uniformity in display brightness and color is critical to prevent noticeable defects that could detract from the user experience. DXOMARK tests display uniformity at both maximum and minimum brightness levels. We also measure the spectral reflectance level and reflectance profile using specialized equipment, such as a spectrophotometer and glossmeter. These measurements help us evaluate how well the laptop manages reflections and maintains readability in bright lighting environments.

Tone Mapping and Video Performance (SDR & HDR)

Accurate tone mapping is essential for rendering details in dark tones, midtones, and highlights, especially in video content. DXOMARK evaluates the electro-optical transfer function (EOTF) to ensure that a laptop display’s tone mapping aligns closely with a reference screen, crucial for both SDR and HDR modes.

In HDR content, the display must handle a wide color gamut and high contrast to faithfully reproduce the filmmaker’s artistic intent. Our tests ensure that brightness, contrast, and tone mapping deliver a viewing experience that stays true to the original content.