Thinkpads Forum

I recently replaced my T42 that had the GPU problem with a T61p with a WUXGA screen. My T42 had a 1400x1050 15" (flexview I assume) that was great, but I definitely felt like I could up the resolution and be okay. I have used 24" WUXGA screens and never liked them simply because I felt that the DPI was too low and not sharp enough.

After using my T61p, though, I have noticed that I develop a decent amount of eye strain even after using it for only short periods of time. Because I spend a good deal of time on my computer writing, reading, or programming, I need to feel comfortable staring at the screen for long periods of time. I have been going back and forth on whether I should resell this laptop and purchase a laptop with a lower res screen, mostly due to the fact that sometimes I feel great with it, but other times the eye strain comes around. I have been trying to figure out why, and I think it is mostly due to the distance my eyes are from the screen. Right now I feel fine and absolutely love the resolution - 1920x1200 is awesome, there is a ton of space and it is super sharp; but, I am also quite close to the screen at the moment.

I guess I am wondering what other people's experiences are from moving to a WUXGA screen and also from a flexview to a TN panel. Is it just something you need to get used to? Has anyone had eye strain when first switching to WUXGA but had it go away later on? Also, I can't tell whether it is just me, but has anyone else just felt less comfortable moving from a flexview (or any IPS ) panel to a TN panel? I feel a little less "at home," but this might just be because it is a new laptop.

Thanks!!

TN is inferior to IPS, and it will never change. Everyone who's used to IPS feels less comfortable moving to TN. It's possible to live with that, but it will never be as enjoyable.

As far as resolution goes, personally I am sure I would feel that WUXGA is too high a resolution for 15.4". I wouldn't go for anything over WSXGA+ on that. UXGA on a 15" non-wide should be OK too.

I haven't worked with WUXGA on 15.4" for any substantial period of time, so I cannot tell you whether the eyestrain will go away. My personal experience shows that often it does go away once you get used to it. For example, SXGA+ on 15" felt too tiny for me at first, and now I use SXGA+ on 14" without problems. However, there has to be a limit of what can be usable and what will always cause eyestrain, and this limit is different for every user.

I guess I didn't really help you, heh.

I could use it, but had to sit real close. If you're running Vista, it does a much better job than XP making things better through DPI.

Yeah, WUXGA on 15.4" is only usable for some people without DPI scaling. Personally, I use it on my W500 with no scaling, and experience no eyestrain, even with the laptop on a desk, about 2 - 2.5 feet away. Beyond that it gets tough. However, my sister cannot read most text at all at normal font sizes. Just a matter of how good your eyes are.