Question for developers - Linux preferably

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felipeudel · #1 Post by **felipeudel** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:13 am

I am REALLY, REALLY undecided on wheather I should get the T43 14" SXGA+ or XGA. I am a student "java developer" and will spend sometime on this machine writting java code with the eclipse platform. I am affraid if I go with the SXGA+ the text will be too small and hurt my eyes, on the other end I am affraid the XGA will not give me enough space on the screen.

Could you share your experience with me as a developer?

Suggestions and experiences from anybody (developer or not) are also welcome!!!!

Thanks in advance.

dkrizic · #2 Post by **dkrizic** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:40 am

I am Java Developer and working all the day with Eclipse.

Fact is: XGA is no fun. I used to work at a XGA screen on a customers machine and this was frustrating because you were constantly resizing the views in Eclipse and then I started using the FastViews.

Then I had a WUXGA (1920x1200) screen on a Dell D800 in 15,4" (i think) and that was tooo small (but nice overview).

Then I switched to a T42p with 14,1" SXGA+ and this is perfect. It is small, but not too small. I would always take the SXGA+ again!

...darok

felipeudel · #3 Post by **felipeudel** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:51 am

Which platform, Linux or Windows?

dkrizic · #4 Post by **dkrizic** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:57 am

Hi!

On this (grin!) ThinkPad I have Windows XP running, but I think when you compare the look/font sizes and so on from Windows to KDE or Gnome then I is about the same and therefore compareable.

I run Linux (Fedora Core 3) on my Second ThinkPad[tm]

Or why do you ask?

...darko

Aroc · #5 Post by **Aroc** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:11 am

Increase the DPI settings in the display properties (in Windows XP). The default setting in most situations is 96dpi, But try 120dpi (125%) and go from there. In most cases 120dpi on 14" 1400x1050 display is quite fine and comparable to 96dpi on 1024x768. And you can always increase the DPI settings as need be.

With an XGA display, you are stuck at XGA. SVGA+ gives you some flexibility.

My $0.10

felipeudel · #6 Post by **felipeudel** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:12 am

Because if you were running Linux, I was wondering if chaging the resolution on xorg.conf from 1400 x 1050 to 1280 x 1024 would reduce the quality of your images as it does on Windows.... I do that on my desktop (LCD 19") and works GREAT.... perfect resolution....

p.s. Linux rocks... may the source be with you!

Thanks again.

dkrizic · #7 Post by **dkrizic** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:15 am

Hi!

But the screen has a specific physical resolution. If you reduce the resolution you will get either a black frame or a blurry picture, because the pixel must be interpolated to the physical pixels.

felipeudel · #8 Post by **felipeudel** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:21 am

I see what you are saying.... Could you do me a favor? Could you send me a screenshot of your machine with one application opened, lets say the control panel listed in detail mode placed on the right upper corner of your screen so I can also see the icons size? Could you please send it to my email address or place it somewhere and send me the url?

Thanks again!

stalin · #9 Post by **stalin** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:32 am

Hey there,

I'm a developer myself, not only Java though. I've got T43p 15" - 1600x1200, and I have one word to say = it is just perfect. Developing is a pure pleasure. If you are interested, I can send you a screenshot.

PS: I use NetBeans on a daily basis, not Eclipse, but it doesn't make any difference how the things look like on the screeen, does it?

dkrizic · #10 Post by **dkrizic** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:40 am

Hi Stalin,

I prefer Eclipse because I also develop RCP applications

. If you don't depend on such a feature then the decision is just religious. Like emacs vs. vi and BMW vs. Mercedes (at least here in germany).

I have chosen the 14" instead of 15" because the case is significantly smaller and lighter for my purposes, because I travel a lot and the 15" is definately to large (airplane, train)

If IBM hat a machine like X31 oder X41 with a higher resolution than XGA, this would be my baby. The T42p with 14" is the next size - therefore mine.

felipeudel · #11 Post by **felipeudel** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 12:01 pm

Yes. I would really like to see some screenshots of a higher res machine - preferably of the 14" since this is the one I am getting, but the 15" would also be nice to see.

Thanks all.

stalin · #12 Post by **stalin** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 12:19 pm

dkrizic wrote: I have chosen the 14" instead of 15" because the case is significantly smaller and lighter for my purposes, because I travel a lot and the 15" is definately to large (airplane, train)

Well, I have ordered 14" first as well, but had to return it back, there was some problem with it. Shorty after I have received 15" - and I tell you honestly, I do not regret even a bit. FlexView rocks, and according to me is a way much better then the one 14" had. I had a chance to compare both models, the difference is NOT big at all (I mean size and weight). I would advice to go for 15" though.
But as you said it: jedem das seine

LG

stalin · #13 Post by **stalin** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 12:40 pm

felipeudel wrote: Yes. I would really like to see some screenshots of a higher res machine - preferably of the 14" since this is the one I am getting, but the 15" would also be nice to see.

Ok, here we go: it is my windows screenshot, sorry, I have received the TP couple of days ago, didn't have much time to configure X completely. I hope you'll get the idea, how it looks like.

http://www.petrovsky.com/screenshot.png

Edited by Moderator: OK, now that was just mean to anyone on dial-up. Links, not images, unless there's a warning in the subject line, guys.

felipeudel · #14 Post by **felipeudel** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 12:45 pm

Thanks.... only one word to describe this system AWSOME!!!!

Question for developers - Linux preferably

Question for developers - Linux preferably

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