Just a tip, Microsoft builds into Windows 7 and higher the means to "calibrate" a monitor that may prove useful, especially for a laptop screen. Simply go to Start and type in calibration and you should see, near the top of the list, "Calibrate display color". Click that and then follow the screen prompts. You can adjust gamma, brightness, contrast and color of your monitor's display.
I'm sure this isn't as accurate as dedicated calibration software but for someone working strictly off a built in laptop monitor it may prove useful.
