Z61p display resolutions and Vista

[kjartan]

Two questions:

a) What are the available lower screen resolution settings available (via the control panel) for the Z61p, other than 1920 x 1200? I ask, because the feedback has been that 1920 x 1200 is not really practical for a 15"-class screen. So can you run it at lower resolutions with satisfaction, and what are those resolutions? I'm looking for more than XGA (1024 x 768).

b) The Z61p offers up to 256Mb of graphics memory, whereas the Z61m offers only 128Mb. I'm wondering if even 256Mb of graphics is going to be sufficient to fully support Vista with Aero. Are heftier third-party graphics options even an option for ThinkPads?

Thanks.

[dsalyers]

Two questions:

a) What are the available lower screen resolution settings available (via the control panel) for the Z61p, other than 1920 x 1200? I ask, because the feedback has been that 1920 x 1200 is not really practical for a 15"-class screen. So can you run it at lower resolutions with satisfaction, and what are those resolutions? I'm looking for more than XGA (1024 x 768).

b) The Z61p offers up to 256Mb of graphics memory, whereas the Z61m offers only 128Mb. I'm wondering if even 256Mb of graphics is going to be sufficient to fully support Vista with Aero. Are heftier third-party graphics options even an option for ThinkPads?

Thanks.

a)
I have not loaded Vista on my z61p (nor do I plan too). But, I have used Vista on other systems. If I remember correctly you can set the resolution as low as 800x600. Many people say that setting the resolution to a non-native resolution will not give you as crisp text, but I don't really see much difference.

I will also add that screen resolution vs. LCD size is very much a personal taste. On both Thinkpads we have (a z61p and T60p) we use WUXGA and UXGA respectively. I know plenty of people who say it is too small, and plenty who like it.

b)
Windows vista with aero should run fine on either card. The only card I would avoid is the Intel Extreme card. The FireGL card that is in the Z61p is the more powerful of the two (not just because it has more ram, but it is based off of the same chipset as the X1600 card), but the X1400 in the other z-series is certainly a fine card.

[Chonsk]

a) What are the available lower screen resolution settings available (via the control panel) for the Z61p, other than 1920 x 1200? I ask, because the feedback has been that 1920 x 1200 is not really practical for a 15"-class screen. So can you run it at lower resolutions with satisfaction, and what are those resolutions? I'm looking for more than XGA (1024 x 768).

widths are 1920, 1680, 1600, 1440,1280,1024,960 and 800
heights are 1200, 1080, 1050, 1024, 900, 800, 768, 720, 600
all these in various combinations.
More than you probably need but the screen don't look too good outside its native resolution.
Have to say though, that one gets used to the small letters and tiny icons.

About the graphics card and vista - I'd say that it shouldn't be any problems whatsoever. I just played cs source with 1280x800 res and highest graphic settings and it didn't lag at all. If vista craves more graphics power than cs source I would let that OS be

[pianowizard]

b) The Z61p offers up to 256Mb of graphics memory, whereas the Z61m offers only 128Mb. I'm wondering if even 256Mb of graphics is going to be sufficient to fully support Vista with Aero.

According to this page, 128MB is barely able to support 1920x1200.

[Proteus]

Leave it at 1920x1280....
Vista, unlike XP has true scaleable font support.
To use this, right click on desktop, select personalize, and then from the left column, select DPI scaling. Best of both worlds!

[sapibobo]

Definitely not a problem in Vista. I use Z61m with 128 MB RAM and the Vista runs very smooth . Even playing DVD is not a problem. Everything as fast as XP.

As a note, Catalyst will alocate almost a maximum of 895 MB Hyper memory in a 2GB RAM system. But this Hyper memory will not use all the time, only when as needed. Catalyst is clever enough not to block the memory. In my system, Welcome Center is listed 2GB RAM.

[barrywohl]

In my system, Welcome Center is listed 2GB RAM.

What does this mean?

I've got a Z61p with 2gb ram and Vista Upgrade Express in the pipeline.

Also, I find 1920 x 1200 wonderful on XP Pro at least with my eyes. Your mileage may vary. Many in my shop hate my screen and only like 1024 x768 on their 15 inch R51 screens.