Thinkpads Forum

Since im looking at getting a thinkpad here very soon. Curious as to whether to go with XGA or SXGA on a 15 screen.

So im Interested in those of you running 15inch screens, as to what resolution you bought your thinkpad with, no particular model or series.

Also added the 14 screens for those of you that may be looking at those. Once again no particular model or series.

Your not voting for what you want, your voting for what you own...

dont know if this is in the right forum, so mods feel free to move if needed...

I have the 14 inch XGA. I got it with a T40 about 18 months ago for college. I got it because it was all I could afford at the time. I like it so far. I also have a 15 inch XGA LCD monitor from Gateway, but I think the fonts and graphics are a bit large. If you have really bad eyesight then I would consider it, but otherwise it really isn't worth it. So I would look at the SXGA+ screens if your eyesight is good.

-Brian

15 inch screen running 1400 x 1050 - I have slight near-sight problems requiring glasses but strangely I can read this screen perfectly well. VERY pleased I chose it. (Obviously largely subjective!)

I run both of my TPs @ 1600 x 1200 (15") and I am still happy with this resolution (one of the main reasons to choose these notebooks). The virtual space you get by this resolution is really unbeatable and definitely very convenient if your work with two (or even more) applications at the same time side-by-side.
Compared to CRTs TFTs don't flicker and if you choose a FlexView/Crystal Clear display and combine it with the ClearType software emulation from Windows XP it is really no problem to work with this resolution the entire day.

So I would clearly recommend to choose 1400 x 1050 @ a 15" TFT as a minimum resolution in order to have some more virtual space on the screen.

Ok heres the stupid questions of the day,

and if you choose a FlexView/Crystal Clear display

how do I know if a particular model, series has flexview or the crystal clear display?

We have a monitor here in the office (16"viewable) it will go to 1280x1084
how would this compare to the 15 with the 1400x1050. Im just trying to get a idea what it would look like.

Many notebook display have really poor viewing angels, this means depending on the angel you look at the TFT display you see different color shades and if watching e.g. a movie it is really hard to find the best angel for the display for looking without too much annoying backlight fading.

With FlexView the viewing angel is nearly 170° without having the impression that if you move your head the picture changes in its appearance regarding its color shades.

The more short answer is: Ask the seller, look at the data sheet/brochure, read product reviews, read test results, look at IBM home page etc.

BTW: 1280x1084? 16"CRT or TFT?
If CRT than you risk your health of your eyes, with TFT it is an average resolution only...

hm, i can´t vote

Can't vote on this. My ThinkPad does 800x600, but what it lacks in resolution it makes up for in brightness, quality and viewing angle. I have to put my forehead to the top of the lcd panel where the latches are and stare down at the keyboard and watch the screen with the tops of my eyes to have the colors start going away.

We have a monitor here in the office (16"viewable) it will go to 1280x1084
how would this compare to the 15 with the 1400x1050. Im just trying to get a idea what it would look like.

that was a 16" viewable crt monitor


Also found someone else in the office with a 14"viewable crt running 600x800
and we can change it to 1024x768.
How would this compare to the thinkpad 15" lcd running 1024x768???

Years ago I read at several magazines that a 14"CRT is comparable to a 12"TFT and a 17"CRT is comparable to a 15"TFT.
That was of course in times when the first 15" displays were built into consumer notebooks but in my opinion this is a very practicle rule of thumb.
In the past we discussed at the TP forum many times if a resolution of e.g. 1600x1200 is suitable for an 15" TFT display or not. Most mention that they first can't believe to work with such a high resolution without getting headache or damaging their eyes. After some of them tried such notebooks for I while they fell very comfortable with such a high resolution (especially with the large virtual space on the screen) and didn't fell in any way stressed by the small types and icons...and some of them wear eye-glasses already.

However, in your situation I clearly would choose 1400x1050 as a perfect mix of large virtual space and very good readability. Only in case the 16"CRT in your office let you feel already uncomfortable at a resolution of 1280x1024 it is maybe better to choose a lower resolution for your future notebook.
However, consider that TFT screens are more sharp and do not flicker so you should not feel any inconvenience for your eyes even if you work many hours per day in front of such a screen with a higher resolution.

Maybe you have a chance to look at such a TFT screen of a notebook in a shopping mall next to you?

Good luck,