14" WXGA+ LED vs. 15" WSXGA+ CCFL

I'd really appreciate it if T400/T500 owners would post here with their opinions of the general quality of their notebook's display. I'm torn between getting a little more desktop real estate at the cost of a bigger, heavier machine and going with a slightly smaller, lower resolution display for an LED panel and more portable solution. I'm not a resolution junky and both resolutions are acceptable to me, so it's really about display and image quality at this point with a slight bias toward the smaller machine.

FYI, this machine will be used primarily for Windows development using Visual Stutio, virtual machine environments, etc. Again though, I've already determined that usability will be fine on either. I'm more concerned with which display is generally more pleasing to the eye.

 

Since Lenovo probably gets their LCD screens from the same manufacturers as Dell, I will tell you that the LED 14'' screen on my E6400 is great. Some people complain that it's too washed out, but if you go to the Nvidia control panel you can adjust Gamma correction and it looks great.

LED screens generally last longer than CCFL. I would pick the LED screen just for that.

 

Lenovo has used two 15" WSXGA+ panels in the past, and may still be doing so based on availability. One is made by LG and the other is made by Samsung. I have the LG, which is considered the better of the two. The colors look pretty decent uncalibrated and should be nice when I do get around to color calibrating the display. Viewing angles are supposedly better than the Samsung's and appear to be pretty good overall for a TN panel, but it still doesn't compare to a VA panel or the old FlexView IPS panels.

The screen's brightness leaves a bit to be desired, but that seems to be the case with every ThinkPad's screen. It's more than adequate for normal indoor use, but I don't know how readable it would be outdoors on a sunny day. The LED backlit panels might be brighter at the cost of the colors being more washed out. I don't have a problem with the dim screen though because I've yet to do any work on my T500 yet, and when I do, I'd probably utilize one of my external displays unless I'm on the road.

 

My screen also fits this description. The colors were pretty decent when I got it, and once calibrated it looks gorgeous.

 

But is that on the Dell in your sig?

 

Yes, it is...

 

Ahh. I was looking for feedback from T400/T500 owners. I realize Dell and Lenovo may often use the same panels, but that's not as reliable a comparison as two Lenovo machines.

Thanks though.

 

I love the LED panel in my T400, super bright, colors appear close to accurate. I haven't seen a T500 screen though. If your into power saving and extended battery life then it is no question that you should go with the LED screen.