Opinion on new T61, 15.4": WXGA or WSXGA ?? & othe

[Mineya]

I'm brand new to laptops....so be gentle, please!
After a lot of research, I decided on the T61. The durability was a big factor....two grandchildren and a spoiled, 90 LB Golden Retriever puppy. Plus I've spilled coffee on my keyboard at least twice a week.

This is my T61 for $1,071.90 (plus tax) free shipping:

Intel Core Duo T8300 (2.4 Ghz, 800MHz, 3MBL2)
Windows XP Pro
15.4 WXGA TFT
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128 MB)
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2 DIMM)
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24x/24x/8x Max
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
9 cell battery

1. 15.4" WXGA or WSXGA+?
I don't really understand the difference. Games aren't very important. I need reading glasses at times. With the WSXGA the display is a bit sharper, but the text is smaller ....right? Can I adjust the display for larger text? Is it better for editing photos? To upgrade to WSXGA+ is $56.25.

2. It's $52.50 to upgrade to DVD recordable 8X Max Dual layer. I can't forsee ever needing to burn a DVD. Is being able to burn a DVD the only difference?

This is a lot of money for me, so your opinions and suggestions would be much appreciated!

[Perdu]

WSXGA+ is 1680 x 1050 resolution, WXGA is 1440 x 900. You can change the size of text on the higher resolution screen, which is what I do, but you don't want to lower the resolution (also an option) because using the higher resolution screen at a lower resolution will look worse than having an XGA.

Personally, I always use a WSXGA/SXGA screen because to my eye it's so much sharper. Better for photos/editing and DVD movies too.

I think the DVD option is for burning DVDs. I bought one on a machine 4 years ago and never used it so this time I opted for the CDRW option.

[Troels]

Just a small correction, actually, WXGA is 1280x800, WXGA+ is 1440x900.

Mineya,
what screen resolution are you used to?
Just asking since if you're coming from the same resolution on another computer, you probably have your working habits suited already for this solution and is confident with it.
If you come from WUXGA or even WSXGA+, you'd find WXGA claustrophobic and small, and you'd feel that you run out of screen space.
If you can focus clearly on a text a feet away, i don't think you'll need reading glasses for WXGA at least.

[Mineya]

I have a 17" Dell monitor that's set at 1024 x 768, I've never had a laptop. I do use Excel a lot. What would be the downside of WSXGA+ ?

I'm a bit confused. You said << If you come from WUXGA or even WSXGA+, you'd find WXGA claustrophobic and small, and you'd feel that you run out of screen space. >>
Then you said <<If you can focus clearly on a text a feet away, i don't think you'll need reading glasses for WXGA at least.>>

So the WXGA is smaller text than the WSXGA? I just don't want to be squinting at the screen. This laptop will be my desktop replacement. On occasion I have two windows open, usually with an Excel project. Aside from that I write a couple of letters a day and the rest is all Internet.

[Troels]

The WSXGA+: More pixels, more text on the same area (i.e. smaller text on WSXGA+ than on WXGA if both are same screen dimensions of course). Good if you have large Excel spreadsheets.
Yes, you can set font to scale to any size, but some programs might still use bitmaps/images that contain text - which isn't scaled.

Hmm, i'm not sure what i meant by the last of my sentences there to be honest, i'm sure it should have said WSXGA+.
You said, at times you need reading glasses, which led me to think that higher resolutions (WSXGA+) might not be a problem if you can focus clearly at about a feet away and onwards - but knowing that you run your current 17" at 1024x768 (XGA) leads me to believe that you'd feel that 1280x800 (WXGA) will fit you much better. Recall that by default the text on the 15.4" T61 will be smaller than on your 17" now.

[Mineya]

Troels,

Thank you so much. This has really helped. I've decided to go to Comp USA and check out EXACTLY what the two are like when set up side by side on the same computer. It looks like I'm leaning towards the WXGA, but nothing beats seeing/using both types first. Again, Thanks to both you and Perdu for your patience & advice.

[Troels]

No problem, anytime...
Judging from the time zone differences, i figured the B&M shops would be closed, and not open on a Sunday... and since Lenovo has a sale which currently ends tomorrow, who knows if there's enough time...

[Mineya]

Troels,

I thought of that too. It's really a good sale, especially as there's a coupon code (USPTHRESHOLD) that gives you another 10% off. So, just in case, I ordered the Lenovo laptop!

I did check and see if I could call back in the next day or two if I wanted to make changes and was assured it was no problem. Being the sceptical type, I waited about 1/2 hour, called them back and asked another person the same question. He also said that changes weren't a problem and that a lot of people make changes after they'd had time to think about it.

That just makes me feel even better about my choice of Lenovo over Dell and others. I haven't even got the computer and already they were easy & friendly to deal with.

Thanks again. I'll be back as now I have to figure out the docking station and/or router thing.

[Perdu]

Your welcome Sandy. Apologies for the incorrect data on resolution and thank's to Troels on the correction.. I have bought three Lenovos at different times and on each occasion I had them in 4-5 days. They are amazingly fast so don't delay putting a change order in.

Gary