X201 versus X201s. WXGA versus WXGA+

[GrandMasterKhan]

It comes down to screen resolution for me despite the processor differences available.

I think this is the right approach to deciding?

Well my T61 is WXGA+ and 1440x990. I like the resolution and recall when I was deciding on screen resolution someone advised me that if I got WXGA+ I could always zoom. So I browse IE and use Offfice applications on 125% zoom sometimes when needed otherwise its just at 100%.

The X201 is something I have been considering because I want portability and power. However it only comes in WXGA whreas the "s" model of the X201 comes in WXGA+ or 1440x990 sames as my T61.

Is there anyone here who made an evalution of both screens relative to the X201 and X201s? I think the X200 versus X200s would also yield a similar comparison. Want to hear your thoughts and see any photos if possible of the screens. Thanks.

[ZaZ]

If you have a WXGA+ T61, a 12" WXGA LCD will have roughly the same size text. If you bump up to WXGA+, it will have much smaller text, more like a 15.4" WUXGA display. Some people really like it. I think it would be too small for me. There's some pics of the screens over on Notebook Reviews X201 Review.

[GrandMasterKhan]

If you have a WXGA+ T61, a 12" WXGA LCD will have roughly the same size text. If you bump up to WXGA+, it will have much smaller text, more like a 15.4" WUXGA display. Some people really like it. I think it would be too small for me. There's some pics of the screens over on Notebook Reviews X201 Review.

"If you have a WXGA+ T61, a 12" WXGA LCD will have roughly the same size text. If you bump up to WXGA+, it will have much smaller text, more like a 15.4" WUXGA display" you wrote. Is this because the screen is smaller right? I really like my current WXGA+ on 14.1" WS T61. Any deviation would be a disaappointment as far as text size. I realize the screen will be smaller on an X201 though.

[ZaZ]

It's because they take the essentially take what you're seeing on your T61 and make it two inches smaller. Text has to be smaller. You can make text larger via DPI, but what's the point of buying a higher resolution screen only to make the text bigger? If it were me I'd go with the X201 unless you're overly sensitive to the half pound of weight. The X200s from the outlet is another option. Some of them have WXGA screens in addition to the WXGA+.

[ThinkRob]

You can make text larger via DPI, but what's the point of buying a higher resolution screen only to make the text bigger?

Clarity. Image sharpness. More screen real estate.

A higher pixel density is a very good thing, and given that the *only* reason not to get a higher resolution panel (assuming quality is comparable) is if you're stuck using outdated software that uses resolution-dependent UIs.

[GrandMasterKhan]

Clarity. Image sharpness. More screen real estate.

Exactly what I'm thinking. It's the option to use IE or Excel in 100% mode or zoom to 125% and knowing I have the highest possible clarity. Still have to see the X201. I took a look at the X200 yesterday as a proxy on what the X201's screen would be like. Viewing angle was horrible. I had to look straight into the screen display to get a good view. Colors were not bad and the screen was crisp. I will say compared to a WXGA+ screen it felt odd to look at WXGA despite the 12.1" versus 14.1" difference.

[ansible212]

Clarity. Image sharpness. More screen real estate.

A higher pixel density is a very good thing, and given that the *only* reason not to get a higher resolution panel (assuming quality is comparable) is if you're stuck using outdated software that uses resolution-dependent UIs.

Interesting rant by Pete Brown, Developer Division Community Program Manager at Microsoft, on pixel density and how consumer's are being taken for a ride by all this Full HD mularky:

Ok, that's it. I've had it. I want my pixels, [censored]-it!

For a while, screen resolution has been going up on our desktop displays. The trend was good, as I've always wanted the largest monitor with the highest DPI that I could afford. I mean, I used to have one of the first hulking 17" CRTs on my desk. I later upgraded to a 21" inch job that was so huge, that if you didn't stick it in a corner, it took up the whole desk. It was flat-panel, though and full of pixels. It cost me around $1100 at the time... [snip]

Now, suddenly, the market is all about displays that display 1920x1080 "1080p HD" resolution. Wait!! What happened to all those wonderful pixels at the bottom? 120 pixels may not seem like much, but it is when you work on software that needs every last inch of your screen (development, design, video editing etc.). The brand new display to the left of it is actually an inch larger and the same resolution, so slightly lower real DPI.

All here: http://10rem.net/blog/2010/04/22/rant-h ... nd-dpi-now

[GrandMasterKhan]

Well the local retailer finally put an x201 on display and I got to look at the screen. WXGA is not that bad given the size of the screen. Still have not had a chance to see an X201s. Interestingly, got a chance to see an X100e's screen and it seemed to be the better size at 13 inch and quality was not bad. Seemed less crisp than the X201 but that could be a factor of viewing angle as the machines were bolted down and its impossible to get a precise look. I saw a T410 with WXGA resolution and I could never accept a non WXGA + screen for a display that size.

[jvarszegi]

With regard to reading text, a modest increase in resolution does not necessarily increase clarity (i.e. ease of reading text at a certain size). In addition, blurriness viewing an X301 screen at a retailer may be due to the use of ClearType or similar antialiasing technology, which might make text at a certain size and font appear blurrier than without the use of the feature. Some good ways to compare whether two different displays actually improve readability of text:

1. Compare them with the same font and font size selected, with ClearType/antialiasing off on both. (Keep in mind that antialiasing might be enabled by an application even if not by default in the OS.)

2. Compare them with the same font and font size, with antialiasing on.

3. Rinse and repeat for a representative sampling of intended fonts and font size you would use on each machine.

Even ClearType apologists admit that it can decrease the sharpness of on-screen fonts below 144 DPI or thereabouts (the actual number may be much higher for a particular user)-- and without it, a particular font might actually look better on a somewhat lower-res screen. More resolution isn't always better; it depends on the intended use. (Of course, once one reaches the point where individual pixels are no longer distinguishable, one has reached a point where further increases are unnecessary, and also a resolution superior to all lower ones, but that takes quite a high resolution on a laptop screen.)