Help Configuring a T400 vs T500 Display

I'm looking to replace my old abused T42 with one of the newer generation, and I could use a little advice from those of you who are more computer savvy.

The configuration will definitely include: P8600, XP downgrade, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB HD at 5400rpm, DVD-R, 9 cell. This will be used primarily for surfing, AIM, Word, Photoshop, listening to music and watching movies/TV/anime. It needs to play nicely with a Canon LIDe 25 and a Wacom Intuos 3 6x8. I am infamous for attempting to do all at once and hoping my laptop doesn't die. I don't need a gaming machine, but I do need something that won't crash when I have an 8x11" 300dpi .psd with 12+ layers open.

My dilemma is this: the screen. If I had the option, I would be buying a 4:3 screen, but widescreen is evidently the future of computing, so I must conform. I'm used to a 14.1" standard, which is perfectly fine by me, but I'm realizing that a 14.1" widescreen has considerably less real estate. I'm considering going with a T500 just for the bigger screen to regain a little room. On the other hand, the T500 doesn't yet have the LED backlighting option, only CCFL.

I'm worried that if I go with the bigger screen for more room, I'll lose out on picture quality/battery life. My current T42 is, frankly, rather lacking in the screen department, so I want to make sure I make the right decision on the upgrade. For that matter, I could also use guidance on the resolution. Again, not a computer gamer (I save that for the PS2), and not looking to make my eyesight even worse by squinting at tiny text, but I do want good quality. For those of you who also do digital art, what's your recommendation?

 

text can always be increased in size

just go with the t400; its brighter

although smaller, its only smaller in like width (screen)

 

I'd wait until the review Monday. It's not so easy a decision because the T500 has a considerably dimmer screen. However, the T400 only has VGA-out which is (to me) considerably more blurry.

 

Yes, WXGA+ is a major step backward from SXGA+. Why do I have to carry an extra pound of weight (15.4" WSXGA+) just to regain the same vertical resolution?

On the other hand, you can use the new T400 and your old T42 together. For example, you can use the older machine for e-mail and web browsing and the new one for graphics and work.

I am probably going to get a T400 and use it with my HP nc4200.

It is almost tempting to get a E6400/M2400 just for the DisplayPort. Can't Lenovo remove the VGA port and install a DVI port? DVI-to-VGA adapters are small and dirt cheap anyway.

 

Thanks for the opinions! I'm definitely waiting for the reviews before getting anything; that's why I didn't spring on the 5th with the launch.

Dim is definitely the problem with my T42's screen; I have to have it set to the brightest it can go to view things normally, but it washes out colors, which is understandably a problem when making art to be viewed on different machines.

That's a good point about co-existing laptops; my T42 is definitely still running, just a tad . . . slow. With a new laptop, I can back up data and clean out its tiny harddrive.

 

If not for the promise of LED screens, I would have purchased a refurbished T61 with "normal" SXGA+ screen.

Windlion, have you checked out the W700 with an auto-calibrating screen and a built-in Wacom digitizer?

Another advantage of co-existing laptops... you can do all virus-prone tasks (like e-mail and web-browsing) on the now-expendable laptop.

 

Alas, even with discounts, the W700 is rather outside my budget, thank you. XD That's more machine than I really need, to be honest. I keep reconfiguring carts to see what the options end up costing me- but the review will probably settle me out.

I've had extremely good luck on this laptop with avoiding viruses, but there's probably no harm in being paranoid, true!