Is a 14.1 SXGA+ Too much resolution for a small screen?

[Vasant56]

I was wondering how much of an eyestrain it will be. Will it be possible to get a screenshot of it just to see what it will look like?

[Nabeel]

Screenshot won't do much justice..
There's alot of other threads on this, look around.

But personally, I think it's fine.

[benz]

I can vouch that its fine as well. I have been working with a 15" LCD panel with a 1024x768 resolution for over 2 years prior to getting this system with SXGA+.....at first (i mean first couple of days) it seemed too small, and that I was straining, but over the first week or so I became used to it and found it actually better than before (ESPECIALLY once I realized I needed to turn ClearType on!)

[jsmit86]

A lot depends on how you intend to use your machine,

I use mine for web surfing, some spreadsheets, MS word, and some DVD viewing. Fot these uses, XGA is probably best. SXGA or UXGA provides more screen real estate. This is useful for running multiple windows, or editing large photos, but you give up readability on text due to the smaller font sizes.

I read a lot of posts on this forum from users who with to run their higher res LCDS at 1024x768, and then complain about the screen clarity.

You want to match your screen to your usage. Don't buy more screen than you need by assuming that more is better. At 14.1 inches, I think most users will probably want XGA. For higher resolutions, larger screens are a big benefit. When I was shopping for my T42, I considered the Sony VGN-S150 with a 1280 x 800 13.3" wide screen. While the quality of that screen is excellent, the text size is very small compared to the IBM T42 with an XGA 1024 x 768 14.1"screen. I am glad I did not get that pc, due to the text size.

Try to go to some large computer stores to view different screen resolutions before deciding.

[Porsche]

There are so many different ways to adjust the screen, if you think images and fonts are too small. As examples, you can make a global screen change to 150 dpi or make a change to "accessibility" in Internet Explorer. For me, the 14" with 1400x1050 is perfect, lightweight, and very portable.

[aabram]

Are 14.1 SXGA's really that bad?: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=
Settings guide to improve SXGA+ readability: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

Screenshot doesn't work since you'll be viewing it at your monitor with different dot size. Text may look OK on the screenshot while it'll be much thinner in reality. Cleartype may or may not help, some people can't stand it.

For strict text-only (writing, reading) work I personally prefer 1024x768 but 1400x1050 is fine for general use. YMMV, try before buying.

[Vasant56]

As it's hard for me to get a reference model (Most stores don't stock thinkpads for obvious reasons)

I'm taking computer science, so I'll be doing a lot of coding, writing, playing games, watching movies, and just general internet/computer use.

Will a 15" thinkpad be too unportable?