Screen size decision help please

[slojes]

I don't have the opportunity to see thinkpads in person. Trying to decide on aT4x model between the 14' xga (1024 x 768) and 15" xga or sxga (1400 x 1050). Questions: does the 15 run the battery down that much faster? I don't have great eyes and use glasses for computer work, would the sxga make the font size too small? (I understand that is subjective, but any opinions apprciated) I will use mostly for business - email, and word. Definately some internet surfing and no doubt an occasional movie. No gaming. Does the Flexview screen automaically come on the 15 sxga? How important is the video card if you're not gaming? Is the Intel 900 OK or is the ATI x300 or higher "madatory". Sorry - lot of question. THANKS!

[pianowizard]

Yes, I think the SXGA may make the font size too small.

[leegaard]

Yes, I think the SXGA may make the font size too small.

Ditto that. A lost of users of +40 will find that higher resolutions does not give any advantage - just eyestrain.

[dr_st]

does the 15 run the battery down that much faster?

The Flexview SXGA+ - yes, the regular XGA - no. Not much at least.

I don't have great eyes and use glasses for computer work, would the sxga make the font size too small?

Yes, even on 15". But you can adjust font sizes. It's a bit tedious process, but you only have to do it once, and then everything becomes pretty comfortable.

Does the Flexview screen automaically come on the 15 sxga?

Yes. And only on that (also UXGA on the p-models).

How important is the video card if you're not gaming?

Not important at all. But I'd still get a dedicated one. Just in case.

[Zed]

Let me put it this way, I would rule out the 15" xga option as it's probably the worst screen thinkpads come with.

The 15" sxga option is very tempting as it is noticeably brighter then 14" xga. True things might get a little smaller on it but not considerably. Still I'd personally go - and I have actually gone - for 14" screen. It allows for the laptop to be smaller, some 20% lighter and to deliver some ½ hour more battery life - especially measured against the 15" sxga option.

Intel 900 graphic card is plenty for your purposes, plus it keeps the laptop cooler. On the other hand it is not Vista ready. So if you want to keep the option of upgrading open then you should go for ATI x300.

Regards Zed

[Delmarco]

There is NO 15 inch UXGA!

There are only...

14 inch xga 1024 x 768 native
14 inch uxga 1450 x 1020 native
15 inch xga 1024 x 768 native
15 inch sxga 1600 x 1400 native


Basically it's like this in terms of the best to the least best.

14 uxga = 15 sxga > 14 xga > 15 xga.

Dont waste your time or money with XGAs unless you have eye senstivity or eye problems. In fact, the 14 uxga screens still can decrease to a 1280 x 1024 and when you increase Windows Fonts and Icons it will look decent enough to pass for 14 xga without any blurriness. I've done that on my own 14 uxga. I'm not sure the 15 sxga will do that.

The only remaining deciding factor since you are gonna take my advice and go with SXGA / UXGA screen, is do you want 14 or 15 inches.

You mention battery life, I'm not sure but I do know the 14 and 15 models have the same size battery (in fact it is the same battery) and that would lead me to assume that the 14 should have a porportional amount of longer battery life than the 15. So that is plus 1 for the 14.

In terms of size if you want portability get the 14. If you want a Desktop stay at home/office laptop with little moving around then get the 15.
Yes the 15 is much much bigger, thicker & meatier than the 14 (see the IBM photo sections one guy has the 14 and the 15 side by side next to an X or R series)

Good luck. Also browse eBay for a good pictorial idea of what IBMs T series are out there.

[Zed]

Draco I'm afraid you have very confused information on display resolutions. You should check the tabook http://www5.pc.ibm.com/us/me.nsf/webdoc ... tabook.pdf . There you'll find out that your list should look this way:

14.1" (358.1mm) XGA (1024x768) TFT color / Active Matrix / 150 nits
14.1" (358.1mm) SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFT color / Active Matrix / 150 nits
15.0" (381.0mm) XGA (1024x768) TFT color / Active Matrix / 200 nits
15.0" (381.0mm) SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFT color / Active Matrix / 200 nits /
FlexView display with wide viewing angle and high density using IPS technology
15.0" (381.0mm) UXGA (1600x1200) TFT color / Active Matrix / 200 nits /
FlexView display with wide viewing angle and high density using IPS technology

Regards Zed

[dr_st]

Let me put it this way, I would rule out the 15" xga option as it's probably the worst screen thinkpads come with.

Actually, no. The 15" XGA screens, even on budget models like the R50e, are noticeably brighter than 14" screens, either XGA or SXGA+ on the T series. Of course, compared to 15" SXGA+ they are nowhere as good, they lack the viewing angles and seem like a terrible waste of screen space, but they have their advantages.

[leegaard]

II don't have great eyes and use glasses for computer work, !

A lot of you guys ignore the fact that the user states.

In my experience as stated in former post, a lot of users will prefer quite big font, and are not satisfied with those high resolutions. Please remember that a lot of users come from a 17" 1024 x 768 CRT display.

[Delmarco]

Thanks for the correction...I was trying to say that 14 inches dont have uxga screens or 1600x1400 native res. i mixed up the uxga and sxga.

[dino]

I have a 1400 by 1050 and now I wish I had got a 1024x768. In fact I'm looking to replace the lcd. My main complaint is eye strain with the fonts
being too small. Yes you can tweak the dpi, icon sizes, etc but it isn't perfect.

I guess you could buy a 1400x1050 from lenovo and return it within 30 days if it isn't good for you.

[dr_st]

I have a 1400 by 1050 and now I wish I had got a 1024x768. In fact I'm looking to replace the lcd. My main complaint is eye strain with the fonts
being too small. Yes you can tweak the dpi, icon sizes, etc but it isn't perfect.

It is almost perfect, if you do it right.