15" LCD's, T43 vs Z61m, height of actual view-area?

[dozer]

howdy,

I'm poised right on the edge of buying either a T43 or a Z61m.

Both are configured equivalently, and are about the same price.

One of my main reasons for getting this new laptop is to get a larger screen; so that I can make the letters themselves larger/taller, easier to read.

My eyes are slowly fading; and since I typically use a machine for 3-5 years, I know that I need to seriously consider the future on this purchase; in regards to ease-of-use and lack of headaches.

So, I was delighted with the config and price of the Z61m, until I was told that its fancy 15" 1680x1050 screen is in reality NO TALLER AT ALL than the old 14" 1024x768 that I've been using...and starting to have trouble with. (only 8.4" actual view-height)

Can anyone confirm that dimension?

I've had a devil of a time finding any 'official' specs for the dimensions of the actual -viewing- area; as opposed to the overall lid-dimensions.

Which brings me to the T43...subject of this forum...

That machine has the 1400x1050 15" LCD. Again, I've found only unofficial info; which says that this screen has roughly 9.4" actual view height...about a full inch taller than the z61m screen.

Can anyone verify this with hard/known fact? I would hate to choose the older/slower machine to get screen-height; only to find that I didn't get any after all...lol...

Also, can you verify that this screen, on a T43, is FOR SURE a flexview? I've seen a flexview in action, and it was far and away higher contrast and more saturated colors than almost any other laptop-screen I've seen.

(I understand that the z61 screen is NOT flexview...and that they tend to be more washed-out than flexview screens)

I'd love to have the core-duo cpu on the Z61, since I run a fair bit of EDA/FEM software; but in reality, cpu-speed is not my top priority; compared to screen-quality and other issues.

thanks very much for the help!

ps; fyi, both machines have 2gb ram, 160gb hd, dvd-rw, wifi, 15" sxvga+, and 1.83ghz cpu; and the T43 is $800 asking-price, and $900 for the Z61m; shipping included, and reputable seller. Only problem I have with the config on these two is the lack of 9-cell batt on either.

pps; I'd be open to offers on equally-configured similar machines...i.e. T4x, T6x, Z6x....especially if UXGA and same/better price. They must have 15" high-quality screen that gives me more actual size/height than 8.4"