Should I get Z61T or Z61M? Text too small?

[hodad]

I'd really appreciate some feedback on this. Apparently the Z61T comes only with integrated video. I'd really like to get the Z61M but I'm concerned with some of the feedback about the text size being too small with the WSXGA+ display. Those of you that have this model, is the text size really that small? I went to the local Best Buy to look at displays but couldn't find one at that resolution. I am not into video gaming but I would like to have the machine Vista ready. Thanks for your time.

[pianowizard]

What resolution and screen size are you used to? I think a 15.4" screen with WSXGA+ resolution is perfect. My Dell Inspiron 6000 has 15.4" WUXGA and the text is way too small for me. On the other hand, my Sony Vaio PCG-K23's 15.4" UXGA has very big text but consequently not enough real estate.

[hodad]

I'm running 1400x1050 with an ATI X1400 video card on my T60. Does that mean the text size would be comparable to that on the 15" Z61M at 1680x1050? I have a hard time getting my head around this screen resolution stuff. Thanx.

[deeastman]

If you live close to a CompUsa or an Apple store you could take a look at the text on a 17" MacPro, yeah I know it is a 17" but the screen resolution is 1680 x 1050 so it may give you an idea of what it would look like.

[pianowizard]

I'm running 1400x1050 with an ATI X1400 video card on my T60.

Does your T60 have a 14.1" or 15" screen? What you need to know is the DPI (dots per inch), which I found out for you:

14.1" T60 with SXGA+: 124.1
15" T60 with SXGA+: 116.7
15.4" Z61t with WSXGA+: 128.6

The higher the value, the denser the pixels i.e. the smaller the text. My Dell Inspiron 6000's 15.4" WUXGA is 147.0 DPI and is quite uncomfortable to use. However, the worst is the Toshiba Libretto U series, whose 7.2" WXGA gives 207.3 DPI!

[pianowizard]

BTW, I just learned that the Dell Inspiron 4100 has a 14.1" UXGA display, which is uncommon. That corresponds to 142 DPI.

[hodad]

Thanks guys. It sounds like my 14.1" screen has pretty close to the same text size as the 15.4" Z61M. Think I'll pop down to Frys and check out the Mac. The whole thing kind of gives me pause because there's a couple of folks who posted some pretty strong dislike of the text size on the 15" Z.

[mikeponm]

I have a Z61m with 1680 x 1050 resolution and yes, out of the box, the text is small enough to be uncomfortable if you don't have great vision. That being said, text size has been increased on my internet browser and any document I open is magnified using two clicks and then it is saved. As for any other software I use that, occasionally, is too small, I just use Fn + spacebar to blow up the resolution without any effort at all. What I do gain is lots of space to open 2 -4 documents at a time for reference and I also gain the added perceived detail that icons an images appear to have. In my opinion this increased resolution gives you increased flexibility that can't be offered by lower resolution screens.

[hodad]

Is there any way to replicate the text size on my T60? Also, are you Z61m owners happy with the build quality, etc.? Is the screen brightness any better than the T60? Thanx.