jump to WUXGA on new t61p?

[LRoy]

First, I wanted to mention that the Lenovo site has started offering the WUXGA screen (again) on the online configuration and order tool.

Second, and I don't want to beat a dead horse here, but I'm having trouble making a decision on the WSXGA vs WUXGA. 1680x1050 vs 1900x1200. really nice bright screen vs a reported not so bright screen. Is the WSXGA screen really that much brighter? If so that may cinch the deal - it would make occasionally working in the car or outside a lot easier.

Cost is not a large issue - this is my primary PC, work is buying, and I do use it pretty much all day very day.

Lastly - are there any other enhancements in the p model besides the video adapter and available wuxga? It Looks like the same processors, drives, and other options are available in either the regular T or the T-P. Is it the same body and frame materials?

many thanks for your input...

[erik]

i don't know why everyone complains about the WUXGA panel.   mine is a samsung and i'm currently typing with sunlight coming straight in the window in front of me (essentially backlighting the screen) and i have no problem seeing it at all.   either mine has exemplary brightness, everyone else's are duds, or my idea of a bright screen is flawed in some way.   however, coming from 5+ years of UXGA panel use (both 150 nit TN and 200 nit IPS flavors), i doubt my eyes are that far off.

my calibrator measured this panel at 156 cd/m^2 dead center so it's not like advertised specs are totally accurate.   there is no official standard for measurement anyway so either one could be off when trying to compare specs 1:1.   fwiw, i usually have to turn the brightness down a few clicks at night in low light as the display hurts my eyes when reading text on white backgrounds.

the 'p' models have high-end GPUs and (typically) hi-res panels.

panel resolution (and ultimately text size) is up to you.   some people can handle 147 ppi and others cannot.

[bin.dong]

however, coming from 5+ years of UXGA panel use (both 150 nit TN and 200 nit IPS flavors), i doubt my eyes are that far off.

Good to know how the WUXGA screen really is, I am using 15" T42p now and thinking to switch T61p, but the only thing stops me is the WUXGA screen.

[barrywohl]

This is my first post since I received my WUXGA T61p on September 19th, 2007.

I'm with erik! I've been using UXGA screens for about six years, first for three years on an A21p, and, for the last 3 3/4 years on a number of R50p computers. For three months, from February through May, I had a WUXGA Z61p.

This WUXGA is not a IPS screen, but I have not a single worry about it. It is bright enough, sharp enough, fast enough, contrasty enough, and just fine for everything I need.

I use the laptop for my medical records program (which works best for me with 1200 lines vertical resolution), general email and internet, MS Office tasks, viewing photographs, and watching movies on DVD. I am not a professional photographer or graphics arts designer.

Some of the concerns about the WUXGA non IPS screen on the T61p might be from people with stricter needs than mine. Some might be from people who haven't found the wealth of adjustments available in the nVidia controller aplet in control panel.

Last night my wife and I watched a DVD movie together on the screen. We liked this screen better than the UXGA IPS screen on the R50p. The viewing angle was no problem. The widescreen image filled much more of the 16:10 screen than on the 4:3 screen.

I love everything about the T61p better than the Z61p I owned for a few months. It is lighter, thinner, faster, with better connectors. I was glad that the widescreen T61p left the audio out and audio in 3.5 mm plugs on the left side, rather than on the front.

I am running Vista Ultimate 32. I like how fast it boots. I like the eye candy. I like how it runs most software. I still have to purchase the new version of pcAnywhere if I stick with Vista. I still have to see if I like its network connectivity as much as Windows 2000 Professional or XP sp2.

[LRoy]

thanks for the real world input, I decided to give the WUXGA a try.

At the moment, if you're buying through lenovo.com the upgrade over a 15.4" WSXGA is only $150. Prices are definitely better right now then when I started looking last week.