T42 Screen Options

[Peter Robinson]

I'm ready to purchase a T42 and have been looking at the various model at IBM's site. Unfortunately you can't view the various screen options offered on the T42s.

Here are some of the questions that came up when I looked at the various models: What does "TFT" provide? They list 14" SXGA+ IPS 1400x1050) on the "Value" model yet only XGA on the "Performance" model. So it appears that the "Value" model provides a better resolution than the "Performance" model.

I'm also a little concerned about the reflective surface of the screen. At time the laptop will be used outside and also in a vehicle. Is one screen better than the other for this type of environment.

I'm new to the forum and joined to obtain some information before manking my purchase. Any help or comments on the screen option would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Kenn]

Hi Peter,

You're not alone in your confusion. Here's some information to help:

TFT basically describes the LCD display - it doesn't add any value to the choice you're making.

14" screens are available at XGA and SXGA+ resolutions, and are not IPS screens (these are the high-viewable angle screens and are only on the 15" T42). SXGA+ is better than XGA (as in higher resolution) but who knows why they configure the way they do?

No thinkpad screen as of now is highly-reflective or glossy in the way that other manufacturers' laptops are The 14" screens are just a bit glossier than the 15" screens, but it's probably more accurate to say that the 15" screens have more of a matte finish than normal.

You won't have to worry about reflectivity if you use the notebook outdoors or in a car in the daytime, but it WILL be difficult to read simply because the sun is much brighter than the backlight, and will wash out the image. In this case, the 15" thinkpads with the IPS screens will be MARGINALLY better, as they are rated as slightly brighter than the 14" screens, but you also get more size and weight and less battery life. It wouldn't be worth the tradeoff for the minimal improvement in outdoors viewing.