Thinkpads Forum

I'd like some advice - I will be upgrading from an older T40 to the latest and greatest. I'm not terribly sensitive to price, although keeping it under around $2600 would be desirable.

I'm torn between either picking up a T60P 15" flexview such as the 2623DDU or a widescreen 15.4" like 8741C5U. The dilemma is made worse because the 15" flexviews are discontinued due to the IPS screen supply issue, so they are no longer available directly from Lenovo. It seems though that a few online retailers have stock with prices around $2500.

The widescreens have a lead time of only about 5 to 10 days, so it looks like supply won't be an issue. Prices are $2600 for the 7641C5U and $2400 for the 8744C9U.

From a practical standpoint, I will use the laptop mainly for office productivity software (Outlook, Word, Excel etc.) I will really not be watching too many videos. Nevertheless I'd also like the higher speed graphics since I will be doing 3D modeling work alongside the odd recreational game. Therefore it looks like a battle between the gorgeous 15" UXGA flexview versus the newer 15.4" WSXGA+ widescreen.

Any input would be most appreciated!

For $2,600 you can get whatever you want from Lenovo directly, just wait their next sale event.

I have a regualr 15'' T60p flexview screen, and I like it, it is much better than my T40 non-flexview. I don't have widescreen, but my friend has a 15'' wide Z60m, it is not 15.4" WSXGA+, but it is not good as my flexview.

If you use laptop mainly for office use, I suggest you go to regular T60p with flexview. Moreover, it has better video card (FirrGl 5200 or 5250 vs 1400 in widescreen model).

he46570 wrote:I'd like some advice

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riverwater wrote:For $2,600 you can get whatever you want from Lenovo directly, just wait their next sale event.

But the OP wants to get 15" UXGA, which is no longer available on Lenovo.com.

Personally, I prefer UXGA to WSXGA+ because the former has 8.84% more pixels.

if you'll mainly be doing 3d modelling then I suggest getting whichever model has the 5250 in it, and not worry too much about the flexview vs widescreen question.

I have the 14.1" screen with the 5250 and I love it.

how often are these "sale events"? Might be worth waiting for one, depending on the price at the time.

I don't know about the frequency of sales events... I was just told that by the Lenovo rep. Thanks everyone for your help!

In the past year or so, Lenovo didn't have major sale events frequently. The best was the employee pricing sale that ended on 20 Dec 2006.

just a hint: t60p 15.4 is on the way, soon. It's already showing up on EPP

FYI: The 8744C9U is showing on www.euclidcomputers.com for $1999.

benplaut wrote:just a hint: t60p 15.4 is on the way, soon. It's already showing up on EPP

but it won't have IPS/Flexview option, correct?

npish wrote:

benplaut wrote:just a hint: t60p 15.4 is on the way, soon. It's already showing up on EPP

but it won't have IPS/Flexview option, correct?

afaik no. not now, anyway.

Is there any other better things with 15.4 inch model T60p? Just more pixels?

I have a few questions. Are you doing CAD, or 3D modeling, DTP?

I am curious why you want/need a 15.4" or a Widescreen. I didn't see what your needs were for this config.

Personally I like the 14.1 screen, and if you need a bigger screen attach to an external monitor/FPD. Of course that is with the premise of what video card you want. The newer widescreens are nice since you get the higher res with less of the weight tradeoff in going to a 15.4" screen.

Just my 2 cents, if you are not always mobile, the 15" are fine, but on the run, I think the 14" is the machine I like.

I'm wrestling with the same dilemma. on one hand, I owned a T42p 15" FlexView (LG panel) which I found had a very grainy/sparkled display (you'll see several threads here mentioning the same issue). on the other hand, I'm reading complaints from users that the new 15.4" on the T60 widescreen suffers from the same graininess issue:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3368

I'm leaning towards the Widescreen only because it's slightly lighter and there's a chance I could get a decent screen (LG and Samsung supply the panels for the WSXGA+ panel)

Everyone, thanks so much for your help.

In the end, since I'm making the transition from a lighter laptop, I decided to go with the 14". I don't regret the decision one bit. The 14" screen is perfect for true laptop use, and the 15" would probably have been too big. The extra ounces would have made a differnece, and I have even removed the DVD-RW ultrabay device to save an extra couple of ounces.

The screen is excellent, and aside from a rather quick drop-off in brightness off-axis, I have no complaints whatsoever. I also have the advantage of plugging into an Ultrabase / 19" monitor at work, so I really only use the screen when it's sitting on my lap at home.

Thanks again everyone.

I got the 14" T60p for the size too. I have used the 15" flexview panel before. I have to say the flexview is really nice compared to the non-flexview. However, for programming and other business type work, the non-flexview works just fine IMHO. It's a different story for gaming however. I find myself adjust the screen angle alot on the 14" when playing WoW.

Several people on the Lenovo sales team told me the 1600X1200 screen is permanently discontinued, it is unlikely that a 15.4" flexview will be offered, and impossible that a 15.4" flexview will be offered within the next 6 months.

I have to disagree with BobDole. For business type work and especially programming, the non-flexview caused me a lot of discomfort for extended viewing. However, I found the non-flexview totally acceptable for DVD viewing and gaming.

I consider myself very fortunate to have gotten my T60P at a time when the 15" Hydis display was available. Nothing else that I've seen, touched or configured first hand since has come close. I have purchased several T'Pads for my group since that time and only one other system was able to be acquired similarly equipped.

The display is simply outstanding and I can't believe that no other supplier has picked up the technology torch and either reproduced it or adapted it to the wide standard.

It will be a long time before I "upgrade" from this machine even though the endless procession of processors will soon leave me behind.