14" XGA (1953D6U) or 15" XGA (1953D7U)?

[Ervin]

The current $250 rebate for XGA T60s seems interesting, but I can't decide which notebook/screen to buy.

Until last month, tabook.pdf indicated that the 15" is 200 nits, while the 14" was 150. But this month, they seem to have changed the 15" XGA to 150 nits, too. So, it seems, there is no difference between the 2 screens. They both suck.

Which one would you choose? Portability is not an issue. The notebook is intended for home office use and occasional DVD watching and travel.

Does XGA look "granular" on a 15" screen, even with ClearType on? I am pretty sure I would hate SXGA+.

Would a Z60m XGA screen be better? (I know the specs are better, but maybe someone has real-life experience.)

[Army Chief]

Having owned SXGA+ screens in both 14.1" and 15" form factors over the past few years (A31, T43), I would not step down to XGA, regardless of price. I'm somewhat less enamored with UXGA, so for me 1400 x 1050 is an absolutely ideal compromise.

Unless portability was a major concern, I don't think I would want to give up the 15" Flexview, either. Of course, if you're considering the Z60m, then perhaps all bets are off. It sounds like you really need to go out and see some of these machines firsthand, but given your stated concerns, the Z60m MaxBright may be best suited to your intended purposes.

Chief

[viper11885]

I have the 14" XGA screen but in the process of trying to get it changed to the SXGA screen.

I find that the resolution is just too small for my usage. I would rather have the extra desktop space work more comfortably.

What are you reasons for choosing the XGA screen?

[archer6]

Having owned SXGA+ screens in both 14.1" and 15" form factors over the past few years (A31, T43), I would not step down to XGA, regardless of price. I'm somewhat less enamored with UXGA, so for me 1400 x 1050 is an absolutely ideal compromise. Chief

Chief- I would be interested in your feeback on 1400x1050 vs. 1600x1200.

Thanks,
Archer6

[Ervin]

What are you reasons for choosing the XGA screen?

I use XGA on my 19" CRT (18" visible). I am used to XGA. I have good vision, but the maximum I can take is 1280x960 on those 18".

Although I am an expert user of Windows, I don't like to fiddle with fonts/icon sizes etc. I prefer not to have to use Firefox, just to be able to see some Web sites properly. (I am too enamored of Avant Browser.) I don't want to sound negative, I just want a notebook I can enjoy for the next 3 years.

One more thing: the XGA notebooks are the ones on rebate. I don't have access to EPP or educational pricing so, for me, this is as good as it gets (out-of-state reseller + Lenovo rebate).

The real problem is, indeed, that I cannot compare XGA with SXGA+ in person. The stores I visited (BB, Staples, Costco) had only XGA models on display.

[archer6]

Although I am an expert user of Windows, I don't like to fiddle with fonts/icon sizes etc.

Exactly, I don't like to fiddle with fonts either. Since I'm on the road the laptop display is my only display. Even though I have excellent vision, I spend a lot of time in front of the computer. So for me the choice of resolutions is very important.

The real problem is, indeed, that I cannot compare XGA with SXGA+ in person.

Again I agree, this is a problem if one cannot find the two to put side by side for a comparison. I'm always interested in others feedback on screen resolutions. Currently I'm using SXGA+ and it's fine in all situations except on the web. Using Firefox I can make adjustments but that slows me down. Until I began using this resolution I was on XGA which is great for the web. However now that I'm using SXGA+ I have become accustomed to better contrast, clarity, and color saturation. When I put it next to one of my XGA ThinkPads, the XGA looks very washed out and fuzzy.

Ultimately it would be nice to have windows scale fonts and icons properly, which I understand in coming in Vista. Till then however we are left to live with the crucial decision of which resolution to purchase.

[Ervin]

One of the "solutions" could be buying a Z60m, with a 200 nits 15.4" WXGA screen, instead of the T60. The Z60m being heavy, I don't really like that option. I would like a notebook I can hold in my lap.

Another one would be buying a laptop known for its excellent screen, like a Fujitsu (E8210). But it seems a waste of money, compared to the T60.

Currently I'm using SXGA+ and it's fine in all situations except on the web.

Right on spot.

[archer6]

One of the "solutions" could be buying a Z60m, with a 200 nits 15.4" WXGA screen, instead of the T60. The Z60m being heavy, I don't really like that option.

Currently I'm using SXGA+ and it's fine in all situations except on the web.

Right on spot.

Since I do a wide variety of work on the computer, I purchased a Z60m just for that reason. Previously I had only been using T series. My Z60m is WXGA and a really nice display at that, perfect for the endless web research I do.

In addition, a bonus is that the build quality is every bit as nice as my new T60, which is a nice surprize. Yes, it's a bit bulky and heavy but I'm really happy with how well it performs and how bright the display is. Side by side the 15" Flexview screen on my T60 the brightness is the same. After using the Z for awhile, I also like the extra width of the screen which is nice for opening a lot of windows concurrently.

[Edward]

I had a 2623D4U 14.1 SXGA+ on order from a non-IBM vendor who then notified me it was on backorder.

Luckily IBM came out with the $250 rebate on the 1953D6U 14.1 XGA and its currently in KY, hopefully it will be delivered next week.

I never considered a 15 inch since portability is an issue with me.

But I did struggle with SXGA+ vs XGA. The extra desktop space would have been great but in retrospect, I'm pretty sure it would have been a strain for me at SXGA+. Like above, I hate changing font sizes etc., they never seem to look right in some web pages.

4 things sold me on the lower-end model.

(1) The $250 rebate made it very competitive to buy from IBM directly.
(2) Any model now will be obsolete in a year with Merom coming out, so I will plan to upgrade in 1-2 years instead of 3-4 years.
(3) XGA will definitely be easier on my eyes.
(4) As I don't play FPS games, the GMA 950 vs X1300 will maximize my battery life.

Related to Merom and Vista, I believe my next laptop will probably be SXGA+ since (I believe) Vista will have the capability to 'scale' much better than XP, keeping things proportional etc.

Can anyone with a Vista beta build confirm this?

[archer6]

Luckily IBM came out with the $250 rebate on the 1953D6U 14.1 XGA and its currently in KY, hopefully it will be delivered next week.

I never considered a 15 inch since portability is an issue with me.

Sounds like you made a perfect choice.

I'm really impressed with these sale prices. Even before the sale on these particular models, I felt they were value priced, now it's even better. In addition, from my perspective these are not low end machines. With the rapid advancement of technology today, even the entry level computers are really great. The only reason to move toward the higher end is if you absolutely need the resources and speed to do very intensive computing. For people running Office/web research/email etc. the sale models are more than enough.

Here's hoping that your computer arrives shortly.
Enjoy
Archer6

[gunston]

well,
a bigger screen is abosolutely better, but you need to compromise to its weight. noted that 15" is obviously heavier than 14" laptop.