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    16-bit vs 32-bit color & battery life on x200t

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Hookflash, Jan 8, 2009.

  1. Hookflash

    Hookflash Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just got an x200t tablet and I noticed that it defaults to 16-bit color. I'd like to switch to 32-bit color to prevent banding in apps like Art Rage (and to prevent iTunes from looking ridiculous), but I'm worried about the impact this might have on battery life and performance. Any idea what sort of impact I'd be looking at? Thanks.
     
    Hookflash, Jan 8, 2009
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  2. BinkNR

    BinkNR Knock off all that evil

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    I’d say close to nil.
     
    BinkNR, Jan 8, 2009
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  3. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    This should have NO EFFECT on battery life. I think really old graphics adapters (prior to 2000) may have performed better (and/or used less power) in 16-bit mode. However, newer adapters (including the x4500MHD) should experience no difference in performance with 32-bit color (really 24-bit with 8 bits of padding).

    Also, you should wait a few weeks on the battery life. It took my tablet several restarts and a few cycles before it finally stabilized. You may want to check out this thread (and post your results when you have made some conclusions).
     
    jonlumpkin, Jan 8, 2009
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  4. Hookflash

    Hookflash Notebook Enthusiast

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    Cool, thanks. I guess I'll switch to 32-bit color then.

    jonlumpkin: I've been getting roughly the same results as you in terms of battery life (6 hrs. or so, if that), which seems a bit... disappointing. Still, I'll take your advice and let it stabilize for a few cycles, then I'll post the results in your thread.

    Just a couple more questions:

    1) Are there any compelling reasons to switch to Vista (I'm using XP right now)?

    2) Should I get the official Wacom enhanced drivers, or will that screw with ThinkVantage System Update?

    Thanks again.
     
    Hookflash, Jan 9, 2009
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  5. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    I think Vista is better than XP, especially for Tablet PCs. Vista's interface is easier to navigate with just a pen (checkboxes on files [for selecting multiple non-sequential files at once], a re-designed start menu, clickable paths in windows explorer, and other enhancements), plus the Tablet Input Panel seems to recognize handwriting better and docks on the side. Also, I get slightly better battery life (≈1 watt less consumption) in Vista than I do in XP.

    If you want PRESSURE SENSITIVITY IN PHOTO APPLICATIONS (e.g. Photoshop, GIMP, et. al), you NEED the Wacom driver. I am using it and have no ill effects.
     
    jonlumpkin, Jan 9, 2009
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