Screen Resolutions

[mattkrass]

Today I purchased a ThinkPad T60 with a 15" screen and a standard non-IPS 15" TFT Display. My friend has purchased a T60 months ago in a 14.1" size and recommended the line to me. He is running his screen at a resolution of 1400x1050 and his screen is not IPS technology either.

I've recently been told by a few people that my display is only an XGA display, and will only be able to show up to 1024x768 resolution. I haven't received the computer (it hasn't even shipped yet!) so I can't confirm this, so I was hoping you guys could shed some light on it for me. I've seen and read the sticky in this forum about the displays for the T6x series but I wasn't completely satisfied, maybe I didn't understand it (I can be a bit dyslexic at times) but it didn't answer my question.

This laptop already cost me $1624 and I am not willing to spend another $250+ on a fancy screen technology that I don't want in order to achieve what I consider a reasonable resolution for a modern computer. 1024x768 is really unacceptable given the caliber and price of this computer. Is there any option out there for me? Have I merely been misinformed? On my order status page the displayed is listed simply as an XGA display.

I am planning on giving them a call tomorrow to see if there's something I can do about this, I'm in desperate need of a replacement laptop before school begins and I'll spend a little bit extra if I need to, but really I feel I've spent enough. I've been interested in getting a ThinkPad for a very long time and I'd be very disappointed if such a simple thing got in my way.

Thanks,
Matt

[asiafish]

If the order says XGA, you are most likely getting XGA. I'd cancel the order, then check with a reseller, rather than Lenovo, and buy your ThinkPad from reseller stock. You can more than likely get an SXGA+ or even UXGA ThinkPad at or near your price, and won't have to wait weeks for Lenovo to build, ship and clear it through customs.

[mattkrass]

I haven't been able to find a reseller with a suitable ThinkPad, I need a pretty hefty machine to do my school stuff on, engineering programs are a load on the system. I'm pretty much stuck with this route. Is there some screen upgrade between the basic cheap low res TFT and the FlexView screen with a less hefty price tag?

[tomh009]

What model number (7 digits) did you order? Did you order direct from Lenovo? Did you check for educational pricing through your college or university? Or the Visa discount program?

[gator]

AFAIK, non-IPS 15" is XGA only.

[pianowizard]

This laptop already cost me $1624

That's definitely a ripoff for a 15.0" XGA T60. Do whatever you can to cancel the order.

I haven't been able to find a reseller with a suitable ThinkPad.

Have you checked euclidcomputers.com and costcentral.com? They both have quite a few T60's still.

I'm pretty much stuck with this route. Is there some screen upgrade between the basic cheap low res TFT and the FlexView screen with a less hefty price tag?

I am not sure about compatibility with the 15.0" T60, but I have a UXGA Flexview screen swapped out from my R50p that I can sell for $200 shipped. I also have the LCD cable and inverter that came with it.

[Troels]

I was at the mall today. Puppy sometimes sound over-pedantic about "TN is crap". That was until i saw their lineup of laptops from Acer, HP, Medion, which are all in the ballpark of $700-1400.

Now I really concur what Puppy is saying. They really are trash, regardless of price or if they have mirror finish etc. They can't display anything that looks near black, and most had horrible backlight leakage. You have to see it to believe it.

So avoid the 15" XGA and take Pianowizard's offer, which sound very good to my ears (and eyes). I'm not 100% sure about compatibility either, however, although Lenovo has used screens from the T4x/R50p in their T60ps.

[pianowizard]

So avoid the 15" XGA and take Pianowizard's offer, which sound very good to my ears (and eyes).

Thanks for the kind words. But mattkrass, you should definitely try to cancel the order first, and consider getting my UXGA Flexview screen only if that fails.

[mattkrass]

Thanks for the advice, problem solved.
I honestly was afraid of calling Lenovo after reading some of the horror stories on the internet about their support, but I found them to be very effective, very helpful (they spoke perfect english too ) and very eager to please.

I called and I was floored about all of this, but after a few minutes with a rep explaining my options and working with me, the problem was resolved. I simply explained my situation, my budget and my requirements and they helped me price out a new order, cancel the previous one and place a new one. As a bonus they added a further 5% educational discount on to my order and are rushing its processing so I get it in time for school.

I am very impressed with Lenovo's support, they saved me money, met my needs and did it all around a very glitchy computer system (those website problems aren't only external) without me getting even slightly irritated. And that's a feat, I have a lousy temper

I've changed my order to a smaller widescreen T61 with a WSXGA+ screen and a 128MB nVidia Quadro card for $1500, with tax it just comes to the untaxed cost of my previous order, and its a superior product. I'm very impressed.

Thanks for all the help!