Do I really need the 1400x1050 SXGA+ screen?

I'm planning to buy a T60 soon but have a dilemna as to which model to choose. I understand that the T60 (and most business notes) come with a matt screen. The T60 models I'm considering are:

1) Core Duo T2400, 512MB RAM, 60GB HD 5400RPM, DVD/CDRW, ATI 64MB video card, 1400x1050 SXGA+ display

2) Core Duo T2400, 512MB RAM, 80GB HD 7200RPM, DVDRW, ATI 64MB video card, 1024x768 XGA display

Since the market I'm buying from only offers the SXGA+ on model #1, I'm thinking if there will be an added benefit in getting it for the nicer screen. I mean, I'll probably be running the computer in 1024x768 resolution almost all the time since its just a 14" notebook after all. But will the SXGA+ model look sharper than the 1024x768 on the regular XGA?

I can live without a DVDRW drive since I almost never burn DVDs and I have DVD burners on the office desktop if needed. But the extra 20GB HD space will be nice although I know that its an upgradable option later on. However, I will have to live with the screen during the notebook's entire duration with me so I think I need to make an important decision. Model #1 is slightly cheaper than #2 by the way.

The T60 will be my desktop replacement and I will mostly use it with office applications, accounting, email & internet, and running some videos and pictures. I won't be doing any intense graphics programs for work although I will play games on it occasionally.

So for my needs, should I go for the model with the SXGA+ screen but with smaller HD and lower drive spec? Or should I just go for the model with the more basic XGA screen?

 

screen is a must. on 1024 you will be able to see pixels on pictures, which looks el cheapo. screen is not upgradable so get the nice screen and then later on play with ram and hd. thats my policy.

why not this:

sxga, 60 7200rpm, 512

?

you get 7200 rpm hd with quite ok 60 gigs and that seems to be the golden middle between your two choices.


NEVER GO FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN 7200 RPM hd. read on tomshardware.com how much difference it makes.

 

Hello!

Yes, I know how valuable screen is cuz its what you will notice when you use your computer everyday. Its just that in Hongkong, the only T60's offered in SXGA+ configuration is the model in option #1. I"m flying to HK this Thursday and hopefully find a good specd T60 yet within my budget.

I'm not sure if they are offering at 7200RPM HD but it surely will be nice.

So what youre saying is that even in 1024x768 mode, the SXGA+ screen will surely look better?

 

No! If you plan to run the screen at 1024x768, get the XGA. Monitors are made to run at their native resolution. If you run them at any other resolution, they look fuzzy and just Bad. I tried to run my last UXGA laptop at SXGA, and it gave me headaches, so I had to switch it back and deal with the tiny fonts.

Some people have said they are ok with screens running at lower resolution, and you might be OK with it, but it will be lower quality than the regular XGA running at XGA resolution. More pixels does not mean a higher quality screen, it just means you can fit more pixels on there.

I also hate to disagree with malter, but I see a 7200rpm hard drive as far from mandatory. Sure it's nice to have, but it's also louder, hotter, and uses more power (I think).

 

Screen resolution is a personal preference. You should look at some if you can to see what you like. A 5400RPM drive will offer acceptable performance for most. You can alway upgrade it later if need be. The 7200RPM drives do run warmer. Power consumption difference is minor if any. Good Luck.

 

screen is a personal thing when it comes to text, but definently not when it comes to viewing images of any sort.

if you are going to run 1024 non-native dont bother with sxga. it is pointless.

generally the best thing to do is upgrade the non-upgradable parts such as screen, GPU, CPU (probably in that order too) and leave ram and hd as is, unless IBM prices beat newegg and ebay. there are a lot of variables, but in summary thats the goal.

 

I see, thanks for the comments.

So if I intend to run my PC in 1024x768 resolution all the time, there's no real advantage in getting one with an SXGA+ display? Since I spend the whole day on a PC, a higher resolution on a 14" screen will surely be uncomfortable.

Will I be able to do higher than 1024x768 resolution on my external monitor since the T60 I'm getting has an ATI 64mb graphics card?

I was under the impression that SXGA+ screens will look better than regular XGA screens in 1024x768 that's why I'm in a dilemna. What do you think?

 

If you want to run at XGA, get the XGA screen. SXGA+ at XGA will look like ****. 1400x1050 isn't very comfortable on 14" anyway.

I'd go for the bigger (and faster) hard drive, and the DVD recorder. Really no reason whatsoever NOT to get a DVD recorder these days. SXGA+ vs XGA is a big deal for some, not such a big deal for others. In your case, XGA might even be an advantage.

 

For 12" screen, I usually stick with 1024x768 but many still prefer 1400x1050(talking about Toshiba M400's users).

For 14" screen, I must have 1400x1050(definitely recommended for younger people). Many people are not used to this resolution at first... they find it too small but the longer you work @ this resolution, you'll get used to it and do not want to go back. For people who used to 12" widescreen @ 1280x768 would have no problem with 14" 1400x1050 because text size on both screens are similar. But if you are used to 14" @ 1024x768, then you might find 1400x1050 uncomfortable to read at first but I'm sure you'll get used it. 1400x1050 gives you a lot more workspace and much crisper image than 1024x768 .


Hope this helps.

 

I see... hmmm... actually, I'm coming from a 14" WXGA HP DV1000 so I think going to a T60 will be a big jump.

From 1280x768 to 1024x768, I guess that means I'll have less data on my screen. I'm curious on SXGA's 1400x1050 resolution cuz Ive never seen any 14" with that.

Another thing is that I'm used to the gloss screen of the HP. Colors are very nice and vibrant here so I'm not expecting much for the T60. What I'm also curious though is that how will the T60's graphics perform as it has an ATI 64MB GPU over the DV1000's Intel 900.

 

Yeah, i wouldn't expect to be amazed by the screen. It's a fine screen, but not as bright or as high a contrast as, say, my friend's glossy compaq.

As for the SXGA on a 14", the best way would be to go to some computer store and look at one yourself. Although, there aren't many 14" SXGAs that I've seen in best buy, etc, especially since most of the 14"ers are widescreen now.

If you have a 14" monitor handy, you take try taking this picture attached and setting it as your wallpaper (as "stretch"ed). It won't really tell you the quality of the screen, but it will show you about how small the images and fonts are, and how much you can fit on there. If you don't, oh well.

edit: attachment removed

 

Btw, guys, I have a 17" LCD monitor at home and its at 1280x1024. Text is slightly small for me although the bigger screen compensates so its generally ok.

Will the 1400x1050 experience be similar to 17" external LCD since the 14" laptop screen will be much closer to my eyes?

Or if 17" is barely ok for me, 14" at that res will be much worse?

 

if text looks small for you on a 17" 1280x1024, unless your desktop monitor is several feet away the SXGA will look small. I have a 17" 1280x1024 desktop screen and a 15" SXGA T43, and text is definitely bigger on the desktop.

And I love the Flexview screen, way better than my desktop. Viewing angles are awesome, and it is much better at preserving dark and light tones, instead of dumping them to black/white.

 

I think its a must. Even if you plan to "run down" When I use my home LCD runs SXGA and I don't see anything less really working on flat surfaces. It may be passable for browsing and typing but it makes a difference with movies and editing.

 

I must echo the comment about 7200rpm drives being mandatory. Made a big performance difference over a 5400rpm drive for me (seat of the pants feel, no numbers to back that up, btw), and I have not noticed my 7200rpm drive being any louder or warmer.