T42 Advise Requested - SXGA+ or UXGA screen ?

[chrisnyc]

I have decided to replace my 3 1/2 year old Dell Inspiron 8100 with a T42 Thinkpad, and need advise on the screen.

I've decided not to get a T43 for several reasons : possible fan noise due to more heat from the new processor ; models I want not yet available ; not to mention that there's nothing about the modest upgrades that I need.

Now -- about the screen. I know for sure that I want a 15" Flexview screen, and that I do NOT want the XGA screen. I'm not quite sure whether to get the UXGA or SXGA+. My current screen is a UXGA (non-Flexview, and not as bright as the current IBM screens). Still I really have liked and enjoyed it over the past few years. But -- the native resolutions (1200 x 1600) makes the print too small, so I've been using it ratcheted down to SXGA+ resolution (1050 x 1400). For most purposes, such as viewing Web pages, working on Word documents, etc -- this works well for me, and I do not find the text blurry or distorted at all.

I have the impression that the higher number of pixels on the UXGA screen somehow makes for clearer text, even when I'm using the screen at the slightly lower SXGA+ resolution.

The other consideration is that even though I can afford a model with the UXGA screen, it will cost something like $500 or $600 more.

Since I use my current screen at the SXGA+ resolution, I guess that's what I should get on the new one. Any comments or advise would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[plucky duck]

If you're using SXGA+ on your Dell right now and don't find it blurry, it can only get better when you move to the IBM. You didn't mention if your Dell comes with a 15" or 14" screen. Moving from 15" SXGA+ to 14" SXGA+ you'll notice the text slightly smaller.

[Aramitz]

IMHO the highest resolution is the best.
For the web viewing,I use Opera8 very easy to increase font sizes
UXGA is marvellous for DVD, picturing and so...
Anyway, enjoy your new toy

[Kenn]

I have a UXGA T42 and have briefly owned an SXGA+ 15" T42. Quite simply, if you're downrezing a UXGA screen now, go with the 1400x1050, since you'll just end up downrezing the UXGA on the T42 as well. \

Here's a side by side shot of the 15" UXGA (left) and SXGA+ (right). Notice how the default 800x600 "bliss" wallpaper scales perfectly on the UXGA screen, but is only a bit smaller on SXGA+.

http://www.pbase.com/image/42854408.jpg

[rickslate]

I just ordered a 15" SXGA+ T43. If you're just going to run your screen in 1400x1050 then buy the SXGA+. You'll get a much sharper image running any LCD screen in its native resolution.

I honestly don't know how anyone can use a 1600x1200 resolution on anything smaller than an 18-19 inch LCD.

When you reduce a laptop's video output below the native resolution, the computer puts the image through various algorithms to share pixels and the result is usually an ugly blurring effect.

[fbrdphreak]

Another vote for SXGA+
I would like UXGA on my 15" T42, but couldn't afford it.
If you resized your Dell, 15" SXGA+ on a T42 will be divine: FlexView is awesome

[RonS]

Another vote for SXGA+
FlexView is awesome

Ditto. Flexview is awesome, and only available on the 15" displays.

[Inky]

When you reduce a laptop's video output below the native resolution, the computer puts the image through various algorithms to share pixels and the result is usually an ugly blurring effect.

Absolutely. I want to second that.

Unlike CRT's where the pixel layout is designed so they can be smoothly recombined into various pixel densities supporting different resolutions, LCD's have a very exact chess-board like grid of picture elements corresponding to one specific "native" resolution and it is only at that resolution that you'll get the sharpest display possible on that LCD.

Chrisnyc, if you found UXGA (1600x1200) too small on your old laptop you will find it too small on the IBM as well.

You say you didn't find it blurry when you scaled it down to SXGA+(1400x1050) That just tells me your eyes managed to read it and therefore found it acceptable, but rest assured that a UXGA screen scaled down to SXGA+ can never be as crystal sharp as an LCD designed to run "natively" at SXGA+. So if you liked that scaled down SXGA+, you will absolutely LOVE the ThinkPads designed to run at SXGA+. Enjoy.

-Inky

[wn0x]

I have owned and used almost every T series laptop (21,23,30,40,41,42,43), all with the SXGA+ display. They were used mostly for development work, so the extra real-estate for displaying the IDE (Integrated Development Environment) was essential. The 14.1" units were very portable, suitable for car/plane/couch etc.

If you think about it, most home displays are still SXGA or less, which is 1280X1024, SXGA+ (1400X1050) is only one step below UXGA (1600X1200). Only slightly less information is displayed. I have a 19" Dell flat at home (1280X1024), and must size projects down that I had been working on my laptop with!

I use the following web site as a handy guide to display sizes.

http://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/howmanydots/