lowering UXGA resolution?

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Padhead · #1 Post by **Padhead** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:16 pm

I just bought a T43P with UXGA with128MB GPU. A mint machine with warranty, but the screen resolution (UXGA) is way too small for me. Does it make sense to adjust the resolution or by another machine?

Someone once told me that dumbing down the resolution is not the way to do it. That it is better to buy a new computer with a screen designed for the lower resolution that I want.

Only one person told me this, and I just don't get it, but I bet some of you Padheads do. Any thoughts on the Pro and Cons of lowering a T43P UXGA resolution as opposed to buying a T43 SXGA?

Viewing Quality?

Power consumption with 128MB GPU UXGA as opposed to 64MB GPU SXGA?

Heat?

etc?

I have Notebook Hardware Control NHC installed in, but I got to tell you that I had it plugged in all day, and I was hitting the hard drive real hard, and it didnt get any warmer than my T41 did.

Both have 2GB ram and 7200 rpm drives. It's not noisy either, accept for boot up In fact, I think they hard drive is less noisy.

BTW, I tried making the fonts bigger, but that isn't working out very well. It only affects some of the fonts not all of them.

I know. I know. Some of you guys probably think I am crazy giving up a UXGA Flexview, but I am blind in one eye, and I don't see very well in the other. So if lowering resolution isn't the way to go, then she is going to be for sale in a couple days.

Thanks

aaa · #2 Post by **aaa** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:28 pm

Try adjusting the resolution and see for yourself. Also, read here.

The screen size and GPU do affect battery life, but only by very little.

fredstev · #3 Post by **fredstev** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:12 am

I've got a T43p with the uxga graphics and I've had good luck just using the built-in IBM magnifier function. That's the fn-spacebar combination. Mine is set to 160% magnification and works well with my 65 year old eyes.

lophiomys · #4 Post by **lophiomys** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:53 am

I just did that on a T42p UXGA:
under WindowsXP

in Display Properties set fonts to extra large
in Taskbar and Explorer set icons to large
in the WebBrowser Firefox set minimal font to 16points
...
at least for my mother that covered most cases
HTH

ajkula66 · #5 Post by **ajkula66** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:07 am

If you have an issue with your sight, UXGA is not the way to go...

Lowering the resolution will diminish the picture quality. I've had that fight in my household for years...

If you like the feel of the FlexView, you'll do well with a 15" SXGA T42 or T43, and 64Mb video should be sufficient for most of the normal use. T60 in the similar configuration would be another viable option, and you could find one with better video as well.

Good luck.

pianowizard · #6 Post by **pianowizard** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:45 am

fparisi, the best solution is to sell this T43p ASAP (definitely before the warranty expires) to get back as much $$ as possible. Then get a replacement with 15.0" 1400x1050 Flexview. Didn't you get this T43p through that bulk sale you organized several weeks ago? If you got a huge discount, you might even make some money by reselling it.

Don't hesitate. The longer you wait, the less your T43p will be worth.

#7 Post by **Johan** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:23 am

@ fparisi: Sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with your new T43p UXGA/FlexView - now after all your research before getting it. One small hint before you seriously consider selling it off again; have a look in the thread 15" 1600x1200 screen - Text too small? - see the post of Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:36 am there. Also, maybe the thread Settings guide to improve SXGA+ readability -Pls Improve may hold some usable input.

If browsing (and here having too tiny text) is your "problem", I would recommend Firefox - it has very good dynamic scaling (the Microsoft Internet Explorer ver. 7 may perhaps also have this; I don't know, as I have never used it).

I am using both a 15" SXGA+ FlexView T42 and a 15" UXGA FlexView T42p, and I agree with George (and others) that the SXGA+ is a better display if you don't have quite good eyes. As a matter of fact, I have come to like my UXGA T42p more and more, but that may be connected to the fact that I am becoming more and more far-sighted! Anyway, if possible, try if you can have access to a SXGA+ T42 (a 15" having the FlexView/IPS display), and see what you think, before buying.

Good luck on your continued (troubled!) path towards getting the ThinkPad that YOU like the most!

Johan

Padhead · #8 Post by **Padhead** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:52 pm

Thanks. Everyone came through with great advice which I am trying out as we speak. Unfortunately, these improvements are not working out that well. I can read all of the fonts much better, but I just don't like all of the pecularities from manipulating the DPI pitch, font size, etc.

I will probably sell it in a day or two.

Pianowizard mentioned selling it quickly because of the warranty, but it's got over a year of Lenovo, onsite, warranty left on it so I am not worried. This T43p is loaded with all the options and is in mint (literally) shape with a full version MS Office. It will sell quickly. I have an ebay store that I might sell it in or try it out here in Marketplace. I would rather donate a few bucks thinkpadfourms.com (here) than give Paypal and eBay their John Gotti racketeering percentages.

The thing that irks me is that this this unit runs real cool. So much so that I put NHC on it to try to figure out why the temp is so low, but everything checks out, it's just a real cool machine.

And the hard drive is less noisy than my 7200rpm on my other T.

I am getting depresed writing this!

ajkula66 · #9 Post by **ajkula66** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:31 pm

You're a brave man for fighting the way you do, and are to be commended for it.

Some things in life we have to give up, and many a times it's something that we're deeply attached to.

When my hands have gotten really bad, I've given up a trade that I've loved and was excellent at. I still miss it, but have leaned to live with it.

I've owned a variety of T43 machines with 15" SXGA+ FlexViews, and will tell you that they are lovable machines every step of the way. For us who like T43s, that is.

Best of luck.

sjthinkpader · #10 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:53 pm

Another alternative is to change the display DPI setting from the standard 96 DPI to 120 DPI. This makes the font larger but still keep LCD at native resolution.

Procedure:
Right click on the desktop
Click the Settings tab
Click Advanced button
Click the drop down menu and select 120 DPI (or custom setting...).

I have been using 15 inch UXGA on various machines and it is getting more difficult t see.

Padhead · #11 Post by **Padhead** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:23 pm

SJ, thanks, but "been there, did that." Everything else is still out of whack.

After reading AJ's post, I was thinking. What hell do I need a UXGA for anyways? I can't see! LOL.

sjthinkpader · #12 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:21 pm

We have a large family so hand me down is never a problem. The younger generation can handle UXGA without complaint. So we have mostly UXGA and SXGA+ A20p, A22p, A31 and A31ps.

For T22, T23, T30, T40, T43 machines, they are mostly 14 inch SXGA+ with a few XGAs. The first 15 inch will be a T42 SXGA+.

So we can always hand down a UXGA machine in this large user group within the extended family.

For work, we use X2x, X3x, X6x XGA machines and T3x, T4x, T60 SXGA+ machines.

I have so much parts that changing a UXGA to SXGA+ LCD is never a problem. The recent LCD cables with shunts made it even easier.

Padhead · #13 Post by **Padhead** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:50 pm

Another guy hooked on T42's instead of T43's. The heat is not an issue, and even if it were just install NHC. Problem solved.

NHC is interesting anyways. Very geeky, but very easy to use. I love it.

The T43 can use way faster RAM 533MHz. It has a faster front-side bus. 533 instead of 400. And that chipset has some more advanced security features.

Moreover try finding a T42 with Fingerprint, and UXGA and 128MB GPU and IBM onsite warranty and Bluetooth etc. If you know where there are some for sale please let me know.

Padhead · #14 Post by **Padhead** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:38 pm

************************************************ OOOPS. I just noticed that I forgot to send this earlier. ***********************************************

Thanks AJ. Yeah I was undiagnosed Type2 diabetic for years, so my eyes and vision took a big hit. I have that all under control nowadays, (without drugs I might ad) but I am afraid that UXGA screens are not an option for me anymore. In fact, I am not even sure that the SXGA will cut it.

I am going to look at a SXGA T43 tomorrow night, but it's nowhere near the dream machine that I have now. It’s only a 1.86MHz with 64MB GPU. It has no Bluetooth and a 5400RPM 80GB drive, but I can fix these last two.

Originally, I was looking for 2.0MHz or less CPU because of the heat issues, especially on the T43p models. AJ, you were one of the guys that had pointed this out to me. But I just could not find one in mint shape, with warranty and 128mb GPU. They are not many out there especially if you want some other goodies such as BT and Fingerprint.

So I kind of “settled” for 2.13Mhz with ALL the goodies, figuring that I could use the NHC to cool down the GPU and CPU. I also figured it would be a good lap warmer in the cooler months. Kyuk Kyuk Kyuk.

To my surprise this T43P is actually very cool. Very cool. Slightly cooler than my T41 1.6 Banias, and way cooler than my 2.0MHz T30. In fact, I put on NHC to try to figure why, but all I can figure is luck or some late model mods that I wasn’t aware of.

How can it be so cool?

Anyways, I have tried the last of the resolution and font adjustments, so I am selling it for what I paid 785.00 plus 40.00 shipping. (I have the receipt). I’ll take hit on Paypal / Bidpay and a donation to this board.

This "might" sound a little high for T43 UXGA Flexview, but if you want all the goodies in one MINT (literally) machine, with onsite IBM warranty till ’09, this is actually a good price.

Trust me . I scoured the planet finding this one.

Bluetooth.

Fingerprint reader.

Intel PM770 2.13MHz Runs very cool. Verified by Notebook Hardware Control installed.

2MB RAM.

Flexview 15 UXGA Flexview.

128MB ATI FireGL V3200 Graphics.

7200 RPM Hard Drive 60GB I think it is a Hitachi.

All of the IBM software installed and completely updated as of 1/22/08

All Microsoft updates completed today.

Full MS Office 2007 (8 programs including Infopath and Publisher)

COA on bottom of machine.

Model Type 2668-H1U

5 IBM system and 1 restore disk.

No dead pixels or scratches on screen.

Power supply.

CD RW / DVD. (Only signifcant option missing is the DVD RW, a dime a dozen on ebay. )

9 cell battery

Want pics? Grab a T43P brochure, because this one is mint condition.

****************************************************

This isn't the official posting for sale of this computer.

1. This isn't the correct place on this forum. The Market place is.

2. And I have one more option to explore with you Pad Heads. A SXGA screen installation. See my next thread.

3. I just thought that I would post this here for the heads up, and drama value. LOL.

*****************************************************

Padhead · #15 Post by **Padhead** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:04 am

The saga continues....

OK, serious question time. The last post from SJthinkpader got me thinking....

What would be the ramifications of getting a SXGA Flexview screen for my UXGA Flexview T43P?

Is it doable to have it work perfectly?

What would happen after a RnR's?

Would my GPU work perfectly with it? My machine has a ATI FireGL V3200 128mb GPU.

Thanks again.

ajkula66 · #16 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:08 am

If you're considering putting a SXGA+ screen on your machine, that's perfectly doable. You'll need a different cable for sure, and maybe an inverter, but neither of these should be an issue.

I'm fairly certain that you'll be able to tolerate 15" SXGA on a T43, because I've found FlexView LCDs to be far less tiring for one's eyesight than regular LCDs.

I have absolutely no clue why your machine is so cool, but I'd seriously consider hanging on to it, and doing all the SXGA+ mods for that reason alone. Bear in mind that once you drop the "p". all you have is 64Mb ATi X300...which is more than enough for me, but doesn't really compare to the beast that you're toying with now.

Don't get me wrong. I like "p" machines in general (like anyone on this forum doesn't know that), and am very content with T60p I've just bought, but would love to have a T43p just for the sheer "lamborghini" feel of it...PM brought to the max, and everything else...I'm one of the people who would take T43/p over T42/p any given day, and I'd take a T42 over most other ThinkPads...

sjthinkpader · #17 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:19 am

[...To my surprise this T43P is actually very cool. Very cool. Slightly cooler than my T41 1.6 Banias, and way cooler than my 2.0MHz T30. In fact, I put on NHC to try to figure why, but all I can figure is luck or some late model mods that I wasn’t aware of.

How can it be so cool?...]

The thermal rating for these CPU are as following:

2Ghz Northwood, 32W (T30)
1.6Ghz Banias, 24.5W (T40/41)
755 Dothan, 21W (T43)

The champion is the 1Ghz Coppermine used in T22, 34W.

ajkula66 · #18 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:45 am

CPU temperature ratings are only a small part of the story...on numerous machines GPU generates more heat than CPU, and T43p (along with A31p and a couple of others) would be one of them.

Architecture of the machine is also very important. Otherwise, many newer X series, notably X31, wouldn't be as prone to "sunstroke deaths" as they are.

And let's not forget that 533Mhz FSB definitely generates more heat than, say, 400Mhz....

sjthinkpader · #19 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:37 am

ajkula66 wrote:CPU temperature ratings are only a small part of the story...on numerous machines GPU generates more heat than CPU, and T43p (along with A31p and a couple of others) would be one of them.
...

Just taking the X300 used in T43 as an example:

Clock rates, voltages and power
Mode core freq memory freq voltage idle 3DMarks (Windows, 1600x1200, LCD only)
Performance 300 230 MHz 1.15V 2.98 W 8.28 W
Balanced 183 210 MHz 1.00V 1.71 W 3.88 W
Battery 120 105 MHz 1.00V 1.61 W 2.74 W

Running 3DMarks is less than 10W. This is why the tail end of the long heatsink assembly is relatively small.

pianowizard · #20 Post by **pianowizard** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:41 am

fparisi wrote:I have one more option to explore with you Pad Heads. A SXGA screen installation.

This would void the IBM warranty.

sjthinkpader · #21 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:05 am

Yes, it will. But my T41 expired last year and many T42 will expire this year even assuming 3 years warranty.

I had sent in modified Thinkpads to Tenn. for repair and they had simply repair it instead of hasselling me. But this is a few years ago and they may not be so kind today.

Padhead · #22 Post by **Padhead** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:22 pm

Yes I agree that swapping the screen would void the warranty, so keeping the original screen on hand would be the way to go. I wonder if the onsite repair person would even notice the screen swap? And if he did would it be too late to swap it or is the machine immediately blacklisted?

I bet that there is less scrutiny about modifying machines from onsite support as opposed to sending the unit in. Especially if the service was delayed or the repair person showed up late. Which often happens.

There seems to be a lot more used UXGA than SXGA Flexview screens on the used market. If anyone knows of a place for a used SXGA screen please let me know.

So all together what do I need to swap my UXGA with a SXGA?

ajkula66 · #23 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:44 pm

You're basically looking at $300 for a new 15" SXGA+....not pretty, given that you can buy a whole machine for $550, that being a T43, not a T43p....

Good luck.

sjthinkpader · #24 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:20 pm

The cables have different part numbers but they just have shunts in different positions.

Padhead · #25 Post by **Padhead** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:33 pm

Aj, it sounds to me that if I pick up this T43 tonight with the SXGA screen that I could swap out the cables as well? No?

I've seen some T43 Inverter boards online. Some of them said UXGA/SXGA some don't.

ajkula66 · #26 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:56 pm

You should be able to swap cables as well. Maybe just swap the complete assemblies, with lids and everything.

If not...

See if the new LCD works on your machine with the cable from "regular" T43, and if you run into issues, swap the inverter as well.

BTW, you can transplant all of your UXGA parts into that T43, and it will work. marcinyt has done it successfully on more than one machine, you can look up the thread by his name.

Good luck.

lowering UXGA resolution?

lowering UXGA resolution?

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