I have to choose a screen for my T400: should I go "HN"?

I'm buying a T400 very soon since they announced the free upgrade to Windows 7 when it will be out. The only thing I'm not sure about is the screen!

I'm in Canada and those are my choices:

14.1 WXGA TFT w/LED BL
14.1" WXGA+ TFT [add $18.50]
14.1" WXGA+ TFT w/ LED BL [add $66.00] [Lenovo recommended]
14.1" WXGA TFT HN w/LED BL [add $132.50]

I don't have any problem adding 132.50$ if the "HN" screen really worths it. Does it?

I think I would prefere a WXGA+ resolution though, my eyes are not bad! But I guess WXGA would be ok if "HN" is really a must have. I want to best screen quality available on the T400.

Also, the best coupon I found is when paying with a visa card: $194.27 off. If you know a better coupon for a T400 in Canada let me know please!

My current card...

===============================

Intel Core 2 Duo processor P8400 (2.26GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2)
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate
14.1" WXGA TFT HN w/LED BL
3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
with Camera
250GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5300
9 cell Li-Ion Battery

+

ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock with US/Canada/LA Line Cord ($169.99)

------
$2,259.99
sale price: $1,664.34

coupon [CAXVISA0506]: -$194.27

TOTAL: $1,470.07 (CAN)

===============================


Thanks in advance for any opinion or suggestion!

 

Don't pay them for extra RAM. Install it yourself, it's ridiculously easy.

 

Just get the WXGA+ LED, you sacrafice some brightness (still one of the brightest screens I've ever seen) but you gain resolution. I think 1440x900 is perfect for a 14" 16:10 screen.

 

I have the regular WXGA LED display and I can tell you that it is quite bright, so bright in fact that I use it two to three notches below maximum brightness.

 

Thanks everybody..

Did someone actually try the "HN" screen to compare the quality? Is "HN" only a brightness thing or can it also change the screen quality?

Do you use your T400 outside?

 

I have not tried to use it outside yet but I'm positive that it will be bright enough, give me till tomorrow to go test it out in the bright Florida sun and I'll tell you how I feel about the screen outside in indirect and direct sunlight.

 

Thanks usapatriot!

 

Some people complain the screen quality on the T400 is not that good. I though maybe the "HN" would be better... But it seems not a lot of people actually tried that screen!

 

I posted some pics of the high nit screen on my T400 a while back. See if this helps you some.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=363941&page=3&highlight=high+nit

Gary

 

Thanks a lot huntnyc! That entire thread you linked is interesting...

Your high nit screen looks pretty good. I really wish it was available in WXGA+!

 

Do you plan on using it in DIRECT SUNLIGHT??? If so, then the high nit display is a good option. If not, then stick with one of the regular panels. All are plenty bright for indoor use.

 

My concern is more about the quality of the screen than about its brightness!

Maybe the high nit screen is brighter and of a better quality than the other screens?

 

I can't tell you about the High-Nit screen. I do have the WXGA+ CCFL screen (wanted WXGA+ and the camera) on my T400 and it's one of the best LCDs I've seen. Certainly not as viewable in outdoor conditions as the HN screen, but it is perfectly uniform, noticeably brighter than my T61's 15" LCD, and there is no backlight bleed. To me, the resolution was more important than the LED backlight, and I'm happy I chose the way I did.

 

I posted some WXGA+ LED panel pictures in this thread if you want to check them out:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=383204

 

how are black levels on the screen?

 

I also would go with a higher res over more brightness/LED backlight.

Also, as was mentioned with the ram replacement aftermarket, do the same with the harddrive and same some money while getting a larger drive.

 

For a TN panel, quite good. I mean, it isn't my S-PVA Dell 2407WFP, but very little is.

My desktop background is mostly black, so it's fairly easy to get a good idea. I'm still surprised what an improvement it is over the 15" panel from my T61; enough of an improvement that it makes 1440x900 at 14" as clear as 1280x800 at 15" on the old machine.

 

The display on my Thinkpad seems to be quite good, the brightness of the non high nit display is also very good, I tried using my laptop outside and it is perfectly usable as long as the sun is not directly behind you.

 

I'll go with the regular WXGA+ LED screen... Except if they offer the WXGA+ LED HN screen the day I buy it!

Thanks for your help everybody.

 

those of you with acceptable CCFL panels: which panel part number did you get? You can check it by doing parts lookup.

We have a few CCFL thinkpads in the lab and they are pretty dreadful, so i am curious to know if they changed panels or use different manufacturer now.