T400 or T500 ?

[Weogo]

Hi Y'all,

I'm regularly controlling a Yamaha 01V96 digital mixer with my X41 Tablet.
The Yamaha 01V96 Editor software is kinda limited for setting for easy viewing, and I just need a bigger screen.

Am looking for a new laptop, probably a T400 or T500 because I really like the trackpoint and keyboard.

My old 15" 1600x1200 A30P is, well, old. Set to 1024x768 resolution the 01V96 Editor actually looked quite good.
My 12.1" 1024x768 X41 tablet is nice, but the screen is kinda small for my over-50 eyeballs.

The Thinkpad T60P with the 1600x1200 screen would be nice, but I hear they can run hot and noisy. Noisy at a concert gig won't work. And I really want to move to an LED backlight.

The T400 1280x800 looks nice, but the screen has more dots per inch than the X41 tablet, so probably even harder to read.

The T400 with the 1490x900 screen looks interesting, if I change the resolution for the 01V96 editor. Any experience with running this screen at lower resolution? Does it look any good?

The T500 15.4" 1280x800 screen size looks ok, other than it is known for mediocre image quality.

I'm using windows-xp and have read that windows 7 has better screen resolution/magnifying options.

Anybody got a combination they like?
Any suggestions on which way to go here?

Thanks and good health, Weogo

[Harryc]

Get a 14" T61 with a 1024x768 4:3 ratio LCD. It is the resolution you are used to in a modern laptop. Quiet and reliable...try to locate one with an Intel Intel PM965/GM965 graphics chipset for cooler running. Here is an example -
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Lenovo-ThinkPad ... 0403489111

[Weogo]

Hi Harry,

Thanks for the suggestion!

Do you know if there is any way to convert a T61 to LED backlighting?
It seems to me that long term, LED is the way to go...

Thanks and good health, Weogo

[Harryc]

Not that I am aware of. Moniserv has LED kits, but I could not locate one for Lenovo/IBM.
http://www.lcdparts.net/howto/LEDBACKLIGHT_MOUNT.aspx

The problem with LED is that you are going to have to go for a Lenovo widescreen model. Assuming that would be a T400 in your case, the resolution most close to your requirements is WXGA - 1280x800. The issue with that LCD is that the quality is reported to be not so great. The 1440x900 (WXGA+) resolution is the next LED step up, and the fonts etc. might be smaller than what you are used to, but the quality of the LCD is better. You really need to see these laptops in person or go to a brick and mortar store and look at other models with the same resolutions to see if they fit the bill.

[Weogo]

Hi Harry,

Thanks for the LCDParts link. I
wrote and asked about the possibility of LED conversions for Thinkpads, in particular T60P.

I have been reading, researching and more.

The off-center keyboard on a T500 might be an issue. But it appears a T61 keyboard can be swapped in place???

The Z61M with the 15.4" 1280 x 1200 MaxBright screen looks very interesting.
Possibly install this screen on an LED-lit T500?

Or possibly convert a Z61M to LED,
or learn how to quickly replace CCFL tubes when they go dim...

Still looking at options!

Thanks and good health, Weogo

[Harryc]

Well, if it's that critical that you not be without a machine for a few days of down time, get an entire LCD assembly as a backup and keep it on hand. That job takes an hour or less. Most CCFLs should last through 3 to 5 years of constant use.