thinking of exchanging my x300, need advice

[sputnik611]

I just bought an x300 and am seriously considering returning it or selling it and getting a different thinkpad. I could use some advice from all you thinkpadders. Here's why I want to make a change -- I've tried the port replicator route with the x300 and it just isn't working for me. The docking solution seems like a much better option. Reason No. 2 -- I find the text too small on the x300. I've tried lowering the resolution, but then it just looks like crap. I know there are various ways to adjust text size, but I'm not finding an easy solution that satisfies me.
So -- I'm considering the x200, x200s, or one of the x6- series. (I still want an ultraportable.) Here's what I need -- a docking station! (my understanding is all of these models support one), and a screen on which the text will be a little larger and easier to read. Other than that, I'd like a decent screen but it doesn't have to be fantastic, and decent speed.

thanks very much for your help and suggestions.

[Harryc]

When you say 'docking station', are you refering to an Ultrabase? The X6X series for example uses an X6 Ultrabase. The X61s is a nice ultraportable with 1024x768 resolution and a conventional 4:3 aspect ratio.

[sputnik611]

When you say 'docking station', are you refering to an Ultrabase? The X6X series for example uses an X6 Ultrabase. The X61s is a nice ultraportable with 1024x768 resolution and a conventional 4:3 aspect ratio.

Yes, I am referring to the Ultrabase. As I understand it, this is a better way to attach all of your peripherals, especially a monitor.
So would the text be just as small on an x200 or 200s as it is on the x300? Is that why you suggest the x61s? Thanks.

[Harryc]

Well, yes the X300 has 1440x900 resolution, the X200 has 1280x800 or 1440x900, so the text on a 1024x768 X61s would be larger.

[sputnik611]

Well, yes the X300 has 1440x900 resolution, the X200 has 1280x800 or 1440x900, so the text on a 1024x768 X61s would be larger.

Yes, I understand that the text on the x61s would be larger. But I was wondering about the x200. From the numbers you posted above, it sounds like the text on the x200 (the one with the 1280x800 resolution) would also be larger than that on the x300. Is that right? The reason I ask is that, though the x61s looks pretty good, it seems like the x200 has a few advantages over it - faster, more advanced, etc. Thanks.

[Harryc]

sounds like the text on the x200 (the one with the 1280x800 resolution) would also be larger than that on the x300. Is that right?

Yes that is correct, althought not nearly as drastic a difference as 1024x768 would be in comparison to the X300's resolution. I usually suggest to folks with an issue with a display attribute to see it in person. If that is possible for you to do, I'd also recommend it to you.

[Deadreckoning]

Small font sizes are my pet peeve. I assume you already adjusted the DPI (dots per inch) display setting in the control panel? The first thing I did with my X300 is increase the DPI so the text is bigger. The 96 DPI default setting in Windows is way to small for today's high resolution screens. Adjusting the DPI preserves webpage layouts better than setting a minimum font size in Firefox (which I also do).

To change the DPI in Vista, go to:
Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization\Personalization
The setting is on the left hand side for some dumb reason. I think it is really sad how confusing the control panel is in Vista these days. To think that people are looking to buy low resolution screens because they can't find the DPI setting is downright ridiculous.

[sputnik611]

Small font sizes are my pet peeve. I assume you already adjusted the DPI (dots per inch) display setting in the control panel? The first thing I did with my X300 is increase the DPI so the text is bigger. The 96 DPI default setting in Windows is way to small for today's high resolution screens. Adjusting the DPI preserves webpage layouts better than setting a minimum font size in Firefox (which I also do).

To change the DPI in Vista, go to:
Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization\Personalization
The setting is on the left hand side for some dumb reason. I think it is really sad how confusing the control panel is in Vista these days. To think that people are looking to buy low resolution screens because they can't find the DPI setting is downright ridiculous.

Thank you both for your responses. I have messed around with the DPI in both Windows and Firefox, per your advice, and it does help. So it looks like I might be able to resolve that issue.

My other issue, as I said above, is the docking solution. When I'm working at home, I want to attach my x300 to a 19 or 20 inch monitor, a wireless keyboard and mouse, a printer, speakers, and an external hard drive. I bought a port replicator with my laptop, but still need to buy some of these peripherals. Here's my question - if I attach all these things to the x300, will the system still work well? Will doing so slow things down much? I'm concerned that the x300 doesn't have enough speed and power to drive all of these peripherals. what do people think? thanks.

[Deadreckoning]

I don't see why adding peripherals would be a problem. To be honest, I would just buy a desktop PC for your workstation.