Advantages to Discrete or Imbetted Video? T60 14inch and 15

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Cunha · #1 Post by **Cunha** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:58 am

I am looking at purchasing a T60 in the future, with either a 14 or 15 inch 4:3 screen.. not quite sure on the size yet.

I normally have thought that I preferred a model with intel graphics.

How much hotter, and how reduced is the battery life on one with a discrete ATI or Nvidia card?

If I was to get one with a video card, which is most desirable?

In general I considered my preferred model to be either a T60 14 inch with XGA screen, or a T60 15 inch with SXGA (1400X1050) flexview. Both with intel graphics. I know the latter is not a common factory config but switching screens is no issue for me.

With that in mind, is there any reason I should get a discrete graphics card instead of intel graphics? Looking for those of you with better experience.

Thanks a ton. Typing this on my girlfriends Z61T which I think is one of the better widescreen models of this generation. I prefer the 4:3 and more than that I prefer the 6 cell to fit flush in the machine.

Thanks a ton.

yak · #2 Post by **yak** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:17 am

As you can see in my sig I have a 14.1" T60 with Intel graphics and an SXGA+ LCD. It originally came with XGA but I've upgraded it since. SXGA+ on a 14.1" screen is no problem at all, I think it's a perfect resolution for this screen size.

I was looking at the same aspects as you when I was buying the machine. I'm not gaming, not doing any 3D stuff so I opted for a longer battery life and a cooler notebook instead. I'm very satisfied. The machine runs cool and Vista's Aero works flawlessly. I wouldn't want any dedicated graphics, especially after reading about the lockups problems some people were having.

I can't tell you exactly how long does it last on the battery since I charging it fully rarely to prolong the battery lifespan. I should be able to get about 4-6 hours depending on what I'm doing, screen brightness and if I'm using wireless or not.

For example, I have the battery at 78% now, I disconnected the AC, screen brightness dropped to minimal and I shut down the WiFi. The power manager shows me 5:12. With WiFi back on I get 4:32. Enabling tpfancontrol in smrt mode gave me 5:00 after some idling.

I would say, pretty good results, especially for Vista.

Zender · #3 Post by **Zender** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:27 am

Be aware that T60 with integrated graphics does not support DVI pass-through on Advanced Mini Dock and Advanced Dock. (T61 does)

yak · #4 Post by **yak** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:40 am

I don't have a dock but I read couple of times on this forum that T60 indeed provides DVI even with Intel graphics.

See for example this thread:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=461299

Zender · #5 Post by **Zender** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:18 am

I stand corrected, however it might be true for _some_ T60 models.

Cunha · #6 Post by **Cunha** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:51 pm

I know that only SOME Z61T's have DVI pass through, with Intel video. <shrug>

Any reason to get one with a video card?

Perhaps I will just go with the cheapest T60 14 incher I can get then.. and upgrade the proc.

ajkula66 · #7 Post by **ajkula66** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:32 pm

Cunha wrote:

Perhaps I will just go with the cheapest T60 14 incher I can get then.. and upgrade the proc

Better yet, go with the cheapest 15" and upgrade the LCD to an IPS FlexView one...

Cunha · #8 Post by **Cunha** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:25 pm

Well that was one of my original options.

That will yield less battery life and a bigger heavier machine. So I have to choose. Tough choice.

T61's are available with a 14 inch 4:3 display are they not? Kinda uncommon though?

ajkula66 · #9 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:55 pm

If you buy a T61 with nVidia card, make sure it has warranty remaining...

Yes, T61/p units were available in the 14" 4:3 format.

#10 Post by **Johan** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:17 pm

ajkula66 wrote:Yes, T61/p units were available in the 14" 4:3 format.

The question of potentially using a 4:3-format T60/p or T61/p motherboard in a 15" T60 case, and in this T60-case use a 4:3-format 15.0" FlexView/IPS LCD is discussed in the thread Parts for the ultimate 15” T60 UXGA FlexView w/T61(p) mobo? although with emphasis on UXGA LCD's (and not SXGA+ as I understand you more head for). There may however be some useful information in that thead...

If anyone would happen to know if (4:3) T60/T61-motherboards with integrated video will support an internal UXGA LCD, please feel free to speak out; that's a core question in the above-mentioned thread!

Johan

Cunha · #11 Post by **Cunha** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:40 pm

I would love the 1600 by 1200 but I believe that the text would be uncomfortably small or me even in a 15 incher. For a 14 inch I think XGA works fine (too bad there arent any XGA flexviews) and SXGA for a 15 inch (flexview)

There are T61 14 inch 4:3 PC's arent there? I wouldnt mind just running that machine even with the cock eyed screen. It is interesting to see if a T61 mobo would work in a square T60 case to make the best T60/61 frankenstein or whatever you want to call it.

Advantages to Discrete or Imbetted Video? T60 14inch and 15

Advantages to Discrete or Imbetted Video? T60 14inch and 15

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