Which external monitor?

[yak]

Hi,

I'm looking for an external monitor for my T60 with GMA950 and 14.1" SXGA+ internal LCD (see sig.) to run a dual monitor setup. One of the most important factors for me is the pixel density, ideally it should be same as the internal ones. The resolution should be at least 1680x1050 as I don't want anything with less vertical resolution than the internal LCD has. The physical size doesn't really matter but since bigger monitors tend to be more expensive I would like to get a smaller one.

My favorite is currently the iiyama ProLite E1908WSV-1 which is a 19" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) monitor:
http://www.iiyama.com/ms_GL/Product/cat ... roduct/153

It can be had in a toned black case matching a ThinkPad. However, I'm not able to find out if the TFT is matt or glossy. Anyone can give me a hand here?

If you know some other nice monitor that would match my needs, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[dr_st]

You won't find any external monitor with a pixel density anywhere close to the 124PPI of a 14.1" SXGA+ screen (except some esoteric, expensive and almost impossible-to-get ones).

19" WSXGA+ is probably the closest you can come, and there are quite a few of theese at the market these days. They all seem to be TN screens, but still much better than the terrible TN screen inside that T60 of yours (I know, since I'm staring at a similar one as I type this).

Unlike with laptops, the vast majority of desktop TFT's is matte. Unless it says so specifically (usually using superlatives like "Crystalview", "Vibrastare", "Brightgorgesuperduperglare", it should be matte.

The Samsung T190P is another option (not to mistake with the regular T190, which is just WXGA+).

[yak]

Thanks, dr_st.

Yes, I noticed that the ppi's of external monitors never reach the level of notebook high resolution screens. I've compiled a list to have a better view:

Code: Select all

1600x1200 @ 15.0" = 133.33ppi (4:3, 304.8mm/228.6mm)
1920x1200 @ 17.0" = 133.19ppi (16:10, 366.2mm/228.9mm)
1680x1050 @ 15.4" = 128.65ppi (16:10, 331.7mm/207.3mm)
1440x900 @ 13.3" = 127.68ppi (16:10, 286.5mm/179.0mm)
1280x800 @ 12.1" = 124.75ppi (16:10, 260.6mm/162.9mm)
1400x1050 @ 14.1" = 124.11ppi (4:3, 286.5mm/214.9mm)
1440x900 @ 14.1" = 120.43ppi (16:10, 303.7mm/189.8mm)
1400x1050 @ 15.0" = 116.67ppi (4:3, 304.8mm/228.6mm)
1440x900 @ 15.4" = 110.27ppi (16:10, 331.7mm/207.3mm)
1680x1050 @ 19.0" = 104.27ppi (16:10, 409.2mm/255.8mm)
1920x1200 @ 22.0" = 102.92ppi (16:10, 473.9mm/296.2mm)
1920x1080 @ 21.5" = 102.46ppi (16:9, 476.0mm/267.7mm)
2048x1152 @ 23.0" = 102.16ppi (16:9, 509.2mm/286.4mm)
2560x1600 @ 30.0" = 100.63ppi (16:10, 646.2mm/403.9mm)
1920x1080 @ 22.0" = 100.13ppi (16:9, 487.0mm/274.0mm)
1440x900 @ 17.0" = 99.89ppi (16:10, 366.2mm/228.9mm)
1680x1050 @ 20.0" = 99.06ppi (16:10, 430.8mm/269.2mm)
1280x800 @ 15.4" = 98.02ppi (16:10, 331.7mm/207.3mm)
1280x1024 @ 17.0" = 96.42ppi (5:4, 337.2mm/269.7mm)
1920x1080 @ 23.0" = 95.78ppi (16:9, 509.2mm/286.4mm)
1680x1050 @ 21.0" = 94.34ppi (16:10, 452.3mm/282.7mm)
1920x1200 @ 24.0" = 94.34ppi (16:10, 516.9mm/323.1mm)
1920x1080 @ 24.0" = 91.79ppi (16:9, 531.3mm/298.9mm)
1024x768 @ 14.1" = 90.78ppi (4:3, 286.5mm/214.9mm)
1680x1050 @ 22.0" = 90.05ppi (16:10, 473.9mm/296.2mm)
1440x900 @ 19.0" = 89.37ppi (16:10, 409.2mm/255.8mm)
1920x1200 @ 26.0" = 87.08ppi (16:10, 560.0mm/350.0mm)
1280x1024 @ 19.0" = 86.27ppi (5:4, 376.8mm/301.5mm)
1024x768 @ 15.0" = 85.33ppi (4:3, 304.8mm/228.6mm)
1366x768 @ 18.5" = 84.66ppi (683:384, 409.8mm/230.4mm)
1920x1200 @ 27.0" = 83.86ppi (16:10, 581.6mm/363.5mm)
1024x768 @ 17.0" = 75.29ppi (4:3, 345.4mm/259.1mm)

The list is sorted by ppi with the screen with most density at the top. Taking my criteria into account and the fact that I don't really want a 16:9 screen I don't find anything better than a 19" WSXGA+ monitor down the list.

EDIT: Sorry for screen size in cm, we have a metric system here.
EDIT: Size changed to mm.

The Samsung T190P does indeed look interesting but I can't find a dealer selling them here in Germany.

EDIT: Added 1920x1200 @ 22". For example the Samsung T220P. Almost the same ppi as T190P, interesting.

[dr_st]

You mean some people don't use the metric system?

If you are considering 22" WUXGA, you might wanna see if you can get a Lenovo L220x. It has an advantage over the T220P and most other 22" WUXGAs I know in the fact that it's a PVA panel.

[yak]

I'm not sure I want a PVA panel. Not only because they cost more but I fear that if I'm going to switch often between a good PVA panel and my SXGA+, I might start hating the laptop's screen whereas right now I'm quite satisfied with it.

[Aroc]

Didn't IBM used to have some sort of a 4:3 LCD display that was 21 inches of 2048x1536 goodness? (like this one?. According to Sven's PPI calculator the T210 is 121.9 ppi and the T60 SXGA+ is 124.1 ppi. I don't know if this helps or if you were even considering a used monitor (about the only T210 monitors you're likely to find - if you can find one - are used.

[yak]

Actually right now I'm not sure if my initial requirement is really what's best for me. When I'm using my T60, the distance between the screen and the eyes is lower than it would be with an external monitor. Having one with 124ppi would probably cause eye-strain after prolonged work. That's why I think I shouldn't want anything higher than the 104ppi of the 19" WSXGA+ monitor, actually I may even get a 20" one as there seems to be a wider choice of these.

[Aroc]

I would probably get a 1680x1050 (WSXGA+) external monitor as well. That way both the thinkpad (SXGA+) and the monitor (WSXGA+) are both 1050 pixels tall if you plan an working off both at the same time. Like you mention, the actual PPI is less important since the external display will probabluy be farther back on your desk.