Thinkpads Forum

Looks like it's time to replace my R51. Looking at the T500/W500 and want the 15.4 screen. Question is which screen? Many seem to feel the LED backlight is best, but it is only offered on the lower res WXGA display. Most of the use will be as an "upstairs" recliner chair tool via wireless to the desktop/DSL in the basement. Lots of web surfing.

Is the WSXGA+ with CCFL the way to go?

Great Question! Always one of my favorites as the choice of display size, resolution and the type of backlight really do affect our enjoyment of the computer. I have an R51 with a regular CCFL backlit 14.1" display in 1024x768. For me, this is an ideal resolution for web surfing as it still seems like so many web pages are designed for that spec. And yet that said, I also have a 15" T60 that is SXGA+ 1400x1050 (4:3) which is very nice as there is less scrolling required. With Firefox making the text easily resized via the Ctrl + or Ctrl - keyboard short cuts it's a tough call.

Of course as I'm sure you are aware of the images can be another thing and I find that my personal preference is to view them at the lower res as they appear larger and sometimes clearer that way. As far as CCFL vs LED, I have both and notice that when are each rated at 200 nits, there is very little difference. The only advantage I see is when the NIT rating is higher such as 300, then you have a display that "pops" with a much brighter image. I have a new W500 with the conventional CCFL arrangement, rated at 200 nits, WSXGA+ and it's nice and bright. Crisp and clear, a very nice display for all day work. While it's no IPS, for what it is, I highly prefer it over the "glossy" displays such as a MacBook Pro and others. Finally on a day to day basis for all my work I use SXGA+ as the extra screen real estate is very welcome. At the end of the day it's a tough call and completely up to your personal preference.

I can´t give you a direct answer to such complicated question , but here a few points that may help you make the right choice for you:
1. LED helps battery life
2. LED is more power-efficient, i.e. the same brightness levels are reached at lower sacrifice of battery life
3. LED has higher max brightness levels, which is useful if one wants to work outdoors

However:
4. Too much screen brightness is not good for the eyes -> LED usefulness is questionable
5. You are not supposed to expose the screen to direct sun light, because it´s bad for the screen. Working somewhere under a shadow is recommended -> LED usefulness is again questionable

6. WXGA is pretty miserable resolution for a 15.4'' screen
7. WSXGA is IMO perfect resolution for a 15.4'' screen, not too much eyestrain, not too big symbols and fonts
8. 200nit is really enough for most things one do (just my personal experience, I have a WUXGA screen that is rated at about 185nit, and that´s ok for me. I would need only very slightly more in some situations, that would come to 200 nit)

Hope this helps,

Marin

True, you have brought up some good points Marin. As far as 200 nits is concerned I could not agree more. While it's impressive "at a glance" to see a 300 nit display, I will also admit that I'm truly enjoying my new W500 with it's 200 nit CCFL, in fact I actually have it turned down two bars, as it can be a bit bright in certain lighting conditions at the office. A practice that I've employed for some time, which is why I can get a lot of life out of one even though they dim with age, as I then simply turn them up to maximum brightness to compensate.

Cheers...

I think I'm convinced the wsxga+ is bright enough from what you guys have said. Only other question is if there is any noticeable difference in text quality between the 2 options. I had a sxga+ on my R51 (not wide screen). It was 1400 x 1050 and was fine as far as I'm concerned. I expect the wide screen should be about the same as far as pixels/inch go, but what I can't tell is if the newer displays have gotten better/worse in clarity, sharpness, etc...

Sorry, I made your choice too easy by unintentionally forgetting something important

9. Screen with LED-backlit tend to have better contrast ratio, which is considered by many as important

That fact that you are coming from a SXGA+ screen is one reason more why to get the WSXGA+ screen over the WXGA one... Also, you shouldn´t see any problems with crispness etc.

Marin

After over four years of using IPS displays on my Txxp models, I'm finding the display on my W500 a pleasant surprise. Well lit, quite even from edge to edge, corner to corner, very crisp and clear. While by no means is it to be compared to an IPS example, this display is quite nice. I have no complaints whatsoever.

Cheers...

Good. Now all I have to do is find a deal someplace. When it was IBM the EPP prices were excellent. With Lenovo I find often the general public sale prices are better than what the employees get.

The current sale that runs until the 17th is about the lowest price I've seen. I configured one on the web site today just to see what the discount was, and I was amazed at the low price they are selling it for. Its the lowest I've seen them. I monitored the site for a few months and that's how I got a deal on my W500. And yet this sale beats it by another 10%.

I agree the current promo seems pretty decent and ordered a T500 thru Lenovo.

Grumpy wrote:I agree the current promo seems pretty decent and ordered a T500 thru Lenovo.

Congratulations on your order!

I'm very confident that you will be quite impressed with your new ThinkPad. I look forward to reading your first impressions once you have received it.

Cheers...