Thinkpads Forum

Hi, everyone.

Unfortunately, my T42 is on its last legs. This means that I will be purchasing a T61 within the next few days (I get a nice discount from my university).

However, I have a few questions:

- I currently use a 15" SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFT LCD. I am very happy with this resolution. I know that the 14.1" and 15.4" widescreens have different resolutions, but (in your opinion), which resolution appears most similar to the one I currently use--which should be the easiest for me to adapt to?
- Do you find that the 15.4" is much less portable than the 14.1"? I would like something fairly portable (I have a small frame), but the laptop's LCD will be my primary screen (so it can't be too small). Unfortunately, I have only personally seen the 15.4" screen, so I am not sure if the 14.1" would be too small to use as a primary screen.
- Does the quality of the screen differ from the 14.1" and the 15.4" or are they basically the same?
- The consensus seems that Windows Vista is still a bit too buggy -- should I just opt for Windows XP?
- As I multitask a lot, what will be the most important factor when I customize the configuration? Memory, CPU speed, HD speed, etc?

Thank you so much, sorry for all the questions!

I recently made the same switch you did. I went from:

Thinkpad R40
15" SXGA+ 1400 x 1050

to

Thinkpad T61
14.1" WXGA+ 1440 x 900

This is my first experience with widescreen and I have to say it was a VERY smooth transition. I personally think 15.4 is too big. Clarity wise, the 1440 x 900 looks about the same as the 1400 x 1050. Size wise, everything looks about the same size on my desktop.

One complaint I have about the T61 LCDs is that the matte finish combined with the TN panels it comes with, don't afford very good vertical viewing angles. They're really bright but you have to look directly 90 degrees at it. Anything +- 7 degrees and you'll start to see wash out in the text. To fix this, I sent my laptop to ScreenTek and did a "glossy" mod. Now it looks like a Dell TruLife or Sony XBRITE LCD. Results?

AMAZING. Vertical viewing angles have dramatically improved and contrast ratios are much better. I seriously can not stop looking at the screen. My eyes never get tired and I'm constantly mesmerized by the screen. You'll get the reflection problems of any glossy screen, but to me, it's easily worth the trade for practical viewing angles and higher contrast.

My recommendation: 14.1" WXGA+ 1440 x 900 and call ScreenTek. (you can google the name to find the website)

Good luck!

Does this void your warranty?

Hellbore wrote:Does this void your warranty?

Most likely, yes.

kangazoom wrote:- I currently use a 15" SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFT LCD. I am very happy with this resolution. I know that the 14.1" and 15.4" widescreens have different resolutions, but (in your opinion), which resolution appears most similar to the one I currently use--which should be the easiest for me to adapt to?

In terms of dot pitch and overall screen real estate, the 14" WXGA+ is the closest to 15" SXGA+. In practice, you can probably adapt to 14" SXGA+ and 15.4" WSXGA+ without too much trouble, as far as resolution goes. Unfortunately, in terms of quality all the screens are so much worse than you current Flexview IPS screen. rxblitzrx's suggestion of making a glossy mod is something to consider, if it really helps with the viewability.

kangazoom wrote:- Do you find that the 15.4" is much less portable than the 14.1"? I would like something fairly portable (I have a small frame), but the laptop's LCD will be my primary screen (so it can't be too small). Unfortunately, I have only personally seen the 15.4" screen, so I am not sure if the 14.1" would be too small to use as a primary screen.

IMO, it's not too small, and it is significantly more portable.

kangazoom wrote:- Does the quality of the screen differ from the 14.1" and the 15.4" or are they basically the same?

I've seen a couple of WXGA+ T61s and the screen is really really bad. Worse than the SXGA+ T60, which in itself is far from good. Dunno about the 15.4".

i had a 15in WS and thought it was way too big; i was able to exchnage it for a 14in ws and i am more satisfied

i also had wxga+ on the 15in and thought it was way too small for my purposes..so i went with wxga on the 14 and i am very happy..i just use the ctrl+winodws+ scrolling up or down to rechange icon size to a smaller size

Thanks, I think I will go with the 14.1"

Now, whether to get Vista or XP...

kangazoom wrote:Thanks, I think I will go with the 14.1"

Now, whether to get Vista or XP...

XP... no question

Do you really want your OS asking you for permission every time you click your mouse to execute a command?

rxblitzrx wrote:snip.......Do you really want your OS asking you for permission every time you click your mouse to execute a command?

You can disable it though.

Choice of Operating System is a personal preference, although I were to suggest, I would've suggested Windows XP too.