advice on T400 screen (WXGA+ vs WXGA)

[coop68]

I am torn between the WXGA (107 ppi) and the higher resolution LED WXGA+ (120 ppi) on the 14.1" screen. I prefer the lower resolution WXGA but also prefer the LED backlight for its better power consumption, use outdoors, etc. I use my computer mainly for text, so I'd rather not have to alter font sizes too much.

For those who have used both 14.1" screens, would you say that the more crisp LED makes up for the decrease in font size in terms of readability? I haven't been able to find a 1440x900 WXGA+ screen to check out, so can you tell me if the fonts/icons seems a lot smaller when you use it than the WXGA, or if it is a very minor difference?

thanks!

[lew2]

I've never used the WXGA screen, but I have the WXGA+ LED screen (using it now) and you want this screen. It's way too easy to increase text sizes if you absolutely have to -- and to be honest I have no problems with this as-is.

[emorphien]

I'd agree on getting the higher res (and most importantly LED) screen. The newer OS and programs make it easy to scale fonts if you need to.

[silas]

My vendor mistakenly sent me a WXGA. I used it for about two weeks until the WXGA+ plus arrived. I wish I'd taken pictures side by side. The difference was significant and immediately obvious. The WXGA looked washed out and cheap by any standards. It's why I realized I'd been sent the wrong laptop.
Power consumption was greatly improved with the led. I get more time at higher brightness levels. In sunlight the WXGA was practically unusable, even at 100% bright. With the +, 60% is more than sufficient.
As for text and icons being too small with the WXGA+, I find myself increasing magnification on certain text heavy apps. You can always decrease the res...
Word of warning though, switchable graphics (i.e switching between discrete and integrated w/out a restart) isn't possible with XP. I have to change it in the bios menu at startup. Annoying to say the least. But I rarely find a need for discrete given that I use my laptop mainly for class work. And integrated uses way less power. Using discrete will easily wipe out any power savings realized by the led.

[coop68]

Thanks for all the advice. I was going to get the WXGA but because of these suggestions I changed my order to the LED and it shipped out today. thanks again!!