How I Fixed Display Resolution Issues After Dual Booting Ubuntu on My 14" Laptop

Introduction

Earlier this month, I decided to dual boot Ubuntu alongside Windows on my Asus Vivobook S 14. I was excited — finally stepping into Linux for web development and exploring the world beyond Windows. But right after installation, things didn’t feel right.

My display looked off — fonts were blurry, UI elements undersized, and every­thing felt… unpolished.

If you’ve just installed Ubuntu on a high-resolution laptop and your screen doesn’t look the way it should, this post might save you a few hours of headache.

My Laptop Setup

Here’s what I’m working with:
- Laptop: Asus Vivobook S 14
- Processor: Intel i5-12500H (12th Gen, Evo H-series)
- RAM: 16 GB
- Display: 14" WUXGA (1920x1200)
- Setup: Dual Boot (Windows 11 + Ubuntu 24.04 Wayland)

The Problem

Right after installing Ubuntu, the UI looked weird.
- Everything felt zoomed out
- Text was too small
- The overall experience didn’t come close to how smooth Windows looked

Even changing the scale settings (100%, 125%, 150%) from the Ubuntu Display Settings didn’t help much. The scaling was choppy, and I couldn’t get it to feel "right".

What Finally Worked (and Made Things Better)

After trying different suggestions online and getting frustrated with Wayland limitations, I decided to switch from Ubuntu GNOME to Kubuntu (which uses KDE Plasma).

It was the best decision.

Why KDE (Kubuntu) Worked for Me

- KDE Plasma offers fractional scaling options (110%, 125%, 150%, etc.)
- The scaling was smooth and crisp — exactly what I was looking for
- UI felt polished, snappy, and honestly better than Windows in many ways

Initially, I just wanted Linux to feel “as smooth as Windows.” But after switching to Kubuntu, I realized it could feel even better. The interface is minimal, clean, and the little animations make the whole experience feel modern.

What I Learned

- Not all Linux desktop environments are created equal — KDE gives more control over scaling and looks
- Wayland + GNOME is not always the best for every laptop or resolution
- Kubuntu can be smoother, more customizable, and better for devs using 14" screens
- Fixing stuff yourself is empowering — you don’t have to be an expert to solve real problems.

What’s Next?

In my next blog, I’ll walk you through the complete process of dual-booting Kubuntu with Windows 11 — step by step.

I’ll cover:

• My exact partition setup

• Personalization choices

• Small tweaks that made a big difference

• And how I made both systems work smoothly side-by-side

If you’re planning to dual boot or just curious about how I set mine up, stay tuned — I’ll share everything I’ve learned.

Final Thoughts

If you’re dual booting Ubuntu and struggling with how it looks on your screen — don’t give up.
Try a different flavor of Linux. In my case, Kubuntu just made sense.

Also, if you’re someone learning Linux (like me), don’t wait to become an expert before you share. Every fix, every small win — it’s worth writing about. Someone out there is stuck in the same situation you just came out of.

Thanks for reading. If this helped you, or you have questions — feel free to drop a comment or connect.
More fixes, stories, and lessons coming soon.