Thinkpads Forum

Hello. This is my first post here, so please go easy. I’m being offered a new T61 and have no idea of how to select the right graphics card and display resolution. Perhaps those more experienced here than I am can point me in the right direction. Expense will not be NOT a factor, but it isn’t clear to me if the high end T61p is then inherently a better choice. I’ve previously used a T23, T40, X31 and a Z60m. The Z60m has the highest resolution at 1280x800.

The new machine will be used primarily for video editing, watching films, and some word processing and web browsing. Are there then benefits/tradeoffs in selecting a mobile workstation vs. a non-workstation, integrated vs. discrete graphics, and various display resolutions? Although I’ve read the postings here about FlexView displays, I lean towards a 15.4” Widescreen model since most films I’ll be editing/watching will be 16:9.

1. Will a mobile workstation (T61p) provide improvements in video and everyday tasks vs. a non-workstation model (T61)?

2. How about discrete graphics (or does it just improve game playing)? Does a better graphics card (NVIDIA Quadro 570) provide improvements in these areas vs. the NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M?

3. Will increased display resolution (e.g. WSXUGA) result in better quality video images (either editing or video playback) than a WSXWGA+ or WXGA display?

4. If one adjusts display settings to reduce resolution (if necessary), does this provide the same image as a lower resolution display?

I was leaning towards a high end 15.4” WSXGA+ model (1680x1050), avoiding WSXUGA (1920x1200) because I imagined that it would be too fine for general use. Then I read a few posts here saying that even WSXGA+ may not be comfortable for word processing!

I realize that this is subjective, but in short it’s hard to refuse the offer of a top end T61p mobile workstation model featuring NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M graphics and a high resolution WSXGA+/WUXGA display. If it's just overkill, that's ok. But if it would actually make everyday tasks like word processing or web browsing more difficult, then I'll downgrade my choice.

Any comments/suggestions/advice you may have would be greatly appreciated.

welcome to the Thinkpads forum

I have the workstation laptop you described, T61p with WSXGA+ (1680x1050) and NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M 256 MB graphics. The screen resolution is just fine for my eyes, but if your eyesight isn't good then it might be a problem. I wouldn't mind WUXGA resolution since my eyesight is fine but it boils down to preference. WUXGA would give you more space to work with which would be a good thing if you use CAD or other workstation apps, but I didn't think it would be a worthwhile upgrade. Also, if you plan to play games, I'd get the WSXGA+ screen so you could run most games smoothly at native res.

cheers!

Estrogen Kid wrote:welcome to the Thinkpads forum

I have the workstation laptop you described, T61p with WSXGA+ (1680x1050) and NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M 256 MB graphics. The screen resolution is just fine for my eyes, but if your eyesight isn't good then it might be a problem. I wouldn't mind WUXGA resolution since my eyesight is fine but it boils down to preference. WUXGA would give you more space to work with which would be a good thing if you use CAD or other workstation apps, but I didn't think it would be a worthwhile upgrade. Also, if you plan to play games, I'd get the WSXGA+ screen so you could run most games smoothly at native res.

cheers!

The 1680x1050 display would be most compatible if you ever decide to use an external 20" - 22" WS display (which also uses 1680x1050). This ensures all your window sizes will remain the same on either screen.

If you ever plan to use a 23" or larger WS external monitor, then the 1920x1200 resolution option would be the compatible choice.

My preference would be to go with the most powerful video card offered if you plan to use it with the power line connected in most situations. However, your initial plan for a 1680x1050 screen with either one of Nvidia cards should be just fine

Please note that reducing resolution on LCD displays from the default native resolution of 1680x1050 or 1920x1200 will yield poorer quality and less sharpness ..... and remember, you can always use reading glasses like many other adults when the eyes start to strain a bit at 1680x1050 (my preference) or 1920x1200

Thank you for your suggestions. I know that resolution is a matter of personal preference. It's only come up because of the option offered me to select any T60 series model. So I'm trying to understand if a high end workstation with discrete graphics is automatically a better choice or if it involves tradeoffs that should be weighed, e.g it necessitates a resolution display of at least WSXGA+ which may or may not be an advantage.

+
More powerful processor
More viewing space for apps (e.g. side by side display)
(Better for games)
(Better for graphics apps)

-
Greater power consumption
Finer text display

I'm still curious if there are any other +/-'s and if a mobile workstation, discrete graphics or increased display resolution will provide any improvements in doing video editing, DVD viewing, and everyday tasks vs. a non-workstation, non-discrete graphics, lower resolution model.

I don't expect to be playing games or connecting to an external monitor, but using it almost exclusively for video editing, DVD viewing, word processing and web browsing. Thank you again.

blue2 wrote:I don't expect to be playing games or connecting to an external monitor, but using it almost exclusively for video editing, DVD viewing, word processing and web browsing. Thank you again.

In that case, your original gut feeling towards the T61 (non-p) 15.4" 1680x1050 with an Nvidia 140 would be more than adequate. The T61p with an Nvidia 570 has less battery life and I'm not sure the "p" model is available with 1680x1050 resolution (but I could be wrong).

More importantly for video editing, make sure to specify a 160GB or 200GB 7200 RPM hard drive (as large as your company will permit) and a miniumum of 2GB (preferably 3GB of RAM).

I would also get no less that the 2.2 T7500 Processor .... or higher.

Enjoy