Decided on Lenovo now 4:3 or 16:9 screen...4:3's going extinct?

Just about have my decision made, the SZ 320 has been ruled out, down to a Lenovo Z61t (14") or T60 (14") ....

The final decision is which screen I want, the widescreen Z61 or the square T60...

It would be an easier decision if Lenovo would just add a graphics card to the Z61's... I can't understand why they haven't yet...

Will Vista and all future software programs eventually be geared to be optimumly to work only with widescreen format ?

I think a square screen is best for most office type applications, except for viewing video or gaming a square screen is better ... you don't have to scroll as much on a taller screen. My use for the notebook will be 80% business app's, graphics, office, design software, internet, emailing, and 20% video viewing/gaming...

Yet it feels unnatural now to order a new notebook with a square screen, the T60's are one of the very few I know off that even make a square screen anymore....

I don't know what the heck to do... anyone else been in the boat I'm in...

Help !

 

I went through the EXACT same torment, only with SZ340, and I ruled it out. I passed on the Z61T due to lack of graphics card and went for the T60 14". I was also leary about the new design, whereas the T series is tried and true. I know a lot of people say the Intel graphics chip is fine, but for the few extra bucks I didn't want to take a chance. This is my FIRST notebook and it will have to last me 3-4 years. I was shopping under the impression that I would certainly buy a widescreen, because that is what the majority are...but then I looked straight ahead at my Sony monitor for my desktop and realized it is 4:3 and it NEVER bothered me before, so why should I not buy a 4:3 notebook? So I ordered a T60 14" last week. I, too, will use mine 80% for Office work, internet, and emailing. Good Luck...at some point you just have to pick one and go for it; like they say here ANY ThinkPad will be built solid...don't forget the specials for the T series end Oct 31st!

 

I don't think the 4:3 screen size will be going out of fashion anytime soon. While the widescreen format is being pushed onto the market for being multimedia friendly, the standard screen format is still preferable for business users. And manufacturers like Lenovo, who cater mostly to business users, aren't going to stop selling notebooks with 4:3 screens just because most of the other multimedia oriented laptop manufacturers are going with widescreens.

 

agreed, i think it's a marketing tool myself to attract more notebook buyers... if i want video games or dvd watching i use my tv

 

I'm not sure why people feel that 4:3 is better for business usage. Even though 16:9 (widescreen) is targeted more as a multimedia feature, the human eyes function in somewhat of a widescreen manner. It's more natural for your eyes to detect things from left to right horizontally than it is up and down vertically. Web browsing is much more enjoyable for me when I have a widescreen display vs when i have to scroll left to right using a 4:3 display. Widescreen also allows business users more room to spread out their applications that they are working on so they don't have to close one and open another constantly. I've considering buying a T60 but have instead decided I won't like it very much after having one of the Z series and being used to widescreen.

 

I think you'll see less and less 4:3. I've read that's it's more cost effective for manufactures to make 16:9. And DELL, being the top dog in the business is certainly shifting to widescreen. Eeven Lenovo is launching a T Series wide near the end of the year.

 

I prefer 4:3 for photo editing because portrait and landscape photos are about the same size. On a 16:9 screen, the size of portrait photos is reduced much more than the size of landscape photos.

 

That's a good point. I personally am indifferent to the screen set-up. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. However, you know you're not going wrong with a Lenovo.

 

Actually, the opposite is correct. The human eye does much better reading across narrower objects than wide objects. I've done a lot of usability work and I can say without a doubt that narrower screens work better. Why do you think paper is read in portrait mode? What about newspapers? Why do you think they break them up in columns? It really is hard to read across a wide screen and then go back to find the next line quickly. It's much easier when you're scanning a narrower field.

I much prefer the 4:3 portrait mode for the software development I do. I'd much rather have more vertical space. I'm going to be ordering a T60p next week for the 4:3 screen more than anything. Not to mention that it has better graphics than the Z. I just wish they made a T60p model with a UXGA screen.

But basically, all software will continue to work in either aspect ratio and so you should really get what works best for you. I'm stuck with a Dell D620 at the moment from work and I can't wait to get back to a 4:3 screen in a couple of weeks. The widescreen is driving me crazy. It doesn't have enough vertical height and the extra width really doesn't do anything for me.

-Mike

 

I definitley like 4:3 much more for photo editing, not to mention portability. People usin the 15.4" widescreens in class just look silly.

 

You make a very good point Mike. Makes logical sense. I guess it is just that 'multi-media' crazy era that has created widescreen popularity.

 

Widescreens are significantly cheaper to make, so the manufacturers are in heaven.

But IBM has ordered 500,000 thinipads in 4:3 aspect. They aren't gonna disappear overnight.

Widescreen glossy is the choice of kids.
4:3 matte is the choice of business (except perhaps for spreadsheet users.)... these tend to be higher end on average

 

The best you can do is to go and see them in person, just because that's a personal preference.

Otherwise, you can read pointless and biased posts "until the cows come home" and this will not help you to make the right decision for you.

 

Dreamer, I agree with your advice to compare the different screens in person. On the other hand, I think you exaggerate when you speak of "pointless and biased posts". In fact, I find the posts here rather informative. It is good to learn from the experience of other users.

 

Yes. Probably it's a bit exaggerated but some things are just wrong... I just don't want to comment on them...

Unfortunately, when we're talking about personal preferences, the experience of other people don't matter so much...

 

That is unless you find someone with the same preference as you who has experience. Lol, I'm just being a smart ass.


Matt

 

How do you know they have the same preference as you if you don't know what you prefer? Matt...

 

the only benefit that i find from wide screens are their cheap prices.
wide screens claim to be more freindly for videos. however, many DVD, or DVD files comes in stardard widescreen format. you acutally have a smaller video area on a 16:9 than 4:3. Also. if you watch youtube or TV channels. my 15.4inch widescreen has no differnent than a 12 inch 4:3.
wide screen==cheap.

 

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but if you wait till the end of the month Lenovo is supposed to announce a widescreen t-series. Maybe the op could get the best of both worlds.

 

You are right, a widescreen T series notebook is to be announced soon.

 

i'm pretty excited to get my z61t ... it was a tough decision between the T60 but what came down for it me was comparing a wide screen 14" beside a square 14.1" and seeing how many lines of type I lost with the widescreen - its about 2 lines at a 10 point font - no big deal really, and for me the wide screen was better for some other applications making the z61t a best of both worlds computer ... just get lots of ram because there is no dedicated video ram...

i'm ordering a T60 for one of my staff near the end of the month, then i'll have two fine machines side by and i'll really be able to compare... maybe i'll end up taking the T60 at that time and giving him the z61... but i doubt it...

can't wait to see what's coming up new in the Z and T series, I read somewhere there maybe announcements of new machines on the 10th, that's this Friday... that would be better than the end of the month...