Thinkpads Forum

Hi folks! I'm looking for a new ultra portable, and the X61s looks excellent. The only thing I'm worried about (as many owners have been, I'm sure) is whether I can live with the 4:3 screen and the 1024x768 resolution.

So I'm wondering whether I could please see some screenshots of your desktops? With XP or Vista and, if possible:

- No apps up
- Firefox
- Word
- Eclipse or other IDE
- A movie playing

That should cover my uses. (I will very rarely use it for movies, otherwise I'd definitely get a widescreen...)

I'm wondering whether to wait for the x200 or Dell E4200, but the X61s is available right now

TIA

Edited 26.07.2011: I'm sorry for digging up an old thread, but there is a case of mistaken identity going on. If you came here looking for a name in the news, that is not me. Peace and love to all.

Welcome to the forum!

Do you have access to a computer either at work, at school or at a public library? Go to "Display properties" and reduce the resolution to 1024x768. Run the computer for a while to see if such a resolution (the lowest currently made by any computer manufacturer) works for you.

Thank you! Already tried that. The only problem with that approach is that I don't have access to a 4:3 screen with the same DPI I'm hoping to see a bit better how it will look in real life.

I don't understand the desire for display resolutions greater than 1024 X 768 on a 12" display. Unless you have really good eyesight, the added resolution won't do you much good, will it?


I've been totally satisfied for years with 1024 X 768 on my TP600 and now my X41.

Paul

Hi there,

I think you should try to borrow a 12.1" XGA 4:3 notebook so you can be sure. You can compare it with the numerous 12.1" widescreen models in the shops.

Which is best? well that's very subjective, and down to your own eyesight. Personally, I find 12.1" XGA just fine for an ultraportable. This form factor of the LCD mirrors the full size keyboard and usable wrist-rest perfectly. There is no wasted space on the X31/X61. Just compare the width of the screen surround on an X61 to one of the widescreen models. The higher resolutions give your more on your screen but everything is smaller and harder to read.

Sometimes less is more.

NonServiam wrote:Thank you! Already tried that. The only problem with that approach is that I don't have access to a 4:3 screen with the same DPI I'm hoping to see a bit better how it will look in real life.

Well, you won't be able to see the DPI if someone takes just a screenshot. You'd need someone to use a camera to take a picture of the screen to see the relative DPI, and probably something for size reference as well. (Unless you have a 16:10 screen with a similar DPI to the X31?)

I'd upload you some screenshots but I only have OpenOffice and Firefox under Ubuntu, and no IDE of any kind...

I'd recommend waiting for the new 45nm LV processors if you're going to buy the X61s. The X61 is already configurable with the new Penryn Processors on the Lenovo.com site.

While I love my X61s, if I could get a Penryn into it I would love it even more

12.1" Is seldom a problem, and it's much preferable to a larger laptop (all others seem... big/bulky in comparison)

Screenshots from Ubuntu:

Firefox with what I believe are the default toolbars
OpenOffice.org 2.3

I have a single task bar at the top of the screen. I'm pretty sure the size is comparable to the Windows task bar, either at the top or the bottom.

For empty screen, I have some screenshots here. I like to my desktop clean, so if you were looking for icon size reference, you may be out of luck. This is the only screen with a single shortcut on the desktop.

iamdmc wrote:I'd recommend waiting for the new 45nm LV processors if you're going to buy the X61s. The X61 is already configurable with the new Penryn Processors on the Lenovo.com site.

Do you know if the X61s _will_ be available with a 45nm LV processor?

qviri wrote:Screenshots

Thank you very much! That really helps to put things into perspective.

Also, I attended a Ruby conference for the last two days, and amongst all the Macs, I was lucky to sit next to an Opera developer with an X61s in his lap running Xubuntu. Looked really, really good!

Edited 26.07.2011: I'm sorry for digging up an old thread, but there is a case of mistaken identity going on. If you came here looking for a name in the news, that is not me. Peace and love to all.