Screen "real estate" V6j vs. W3j

It looks like I'm gonna need a new, highly portable notebook a lot sooner than expected (3-4 weeks instead of 2-3 months). This means I probably can't wait 'til August/September for the V1j.

I'm now looking at the V6j and W3j. They're equipped virtually identically, with the W3 having a better video card. I don't plan to do much gaming on the notebook. I need a good video card for smooth graphics and video playback. I'm certain either card is more than powerful enough for my purposes.

The notebooks weigh about the same, so portability is good with both machines. My question is about the different screens. I need the most real estate possible for multiple documents/apps. Am I correct in thinking the V6's 1400x1050 provides more usable space than the W3's 1280x800? I prefer the compact design of the W3, so I'm kinda torn between these two notebooks.

Thanks for any comments!

 

totally correct. the V6J is higher resolution. is as wide as the w3j but provides 1.5 in or so more vertical room. I have used both previous models. size wise they are pretty much the same. the v6j is thinner which actually makes it seem smaller. if you dont game the build of the v6j is much much better. solid as as rock. also the viewing angles on the v6j should be better than the w3j. 14.1 in screen have a very narrow vertical viewing angle.

 

If your talking about usable space the difference between 1400x1050 and 1280x800 is barely a difference if even that. 200 pixels is nothing you wont even notice the difference.

 

he will get more vertical room. though. but having used both its amazing how much sharper 200 pixels will make a screen look. and once you start to get to 14.1 in and smaller everyin makes a big difference in how comfortable the screen isto look at.

 

the actual difference is 446000 pixels, 1400x1050 is 1470000 pixels while 1280x800 is 1024000 pixels

 

now if the w3j was 1440 x 900 ii think thats the other widescreen rez. it would be comparable.

 

Jack, in my opinion the resolution decision rests on what you will be doing with the machine. I chose the V6J over the W3J (and almost all other new laptops for that matter) because it is not widescreen and thus I will have more space that will be actually used while doing the things that I usually do--writing code or writing documents. For such applications, additional screen width does not really get you much (and may be nearly irrlelevant), but screen height makes a big difference. On the other hand, there are other types of applications (spreadsheets are an obvious one, or watching a movie, or being able to view two documents side-by-side) where width is more beneficial than height. I personally think that should guide your decision more than the raw total number of pixels. Kind of like buying a couch... the total size of the room matters somewhat, but generally it's the length of the wall that you're going to put the couch against that matters more.

 

My laptop has a 1400x1050 panel, and I recently bought a 1440x900 widescreen panel to go with the W3J I'm getting once they get here. Even though they are the same width and almost the same height, I was surprised at the difference in how much less it feels like I have vertically, for example, when working on a document or especially in a spreadsheet. I haven't done much more than that, simply because my lappy is running on its last legs. My honest opinion is that the 150 less pixels I have vertically was a lot more than I expected. That said, some people probably wouldn't notice.

Jay

P.S. I guess I have worked with a 1280x800 display on my brother's laptop and while not bad, I didn't like the limited desktop space.

 

^ I'm hoping I don't find that to be the case...I plan on doing a lot of writing...something I can overlook for sure.

 

I'm sure it's just an adjustment that I'm still making. That was just my initial impression right after having switched over. I do like the widescreen, and I imagine that after I've worked on the smaller screen a bit, the 1440x900 will be very nice when I get home to my desk. Having never worked on a widescreen before, it was just a change, that's all.

Jay

 

on a 15.4 in 1280 x800 seems nice. but when you have that rez on a 14in the lack of height makes a big difference. as for the comment of widescreen being better for dvds and such. it doesnt make a difference here. Because the v6j is as wide horizontally. so you will get the same experience watching on that as you would on the v6j you just have more height when its needed.

 

How is the build quality of the V6j? I was concerned that because it was so thin, it would have a flexible LCD panel. Personally I like the rigidity of the IBM LCD panels. Thanks!

 

See, I look at that in a completely different way. I personally don't care about physical size difference between 13.3" and 15.4" if they are both 1280x800. I still think the resolution isn't as high as I like it. That's why I bought the external monitor. However, on the same physical size screen, say 14" for argument, I prefer a higher resolution over a lower one. My eyes are young and I can see the image just fine when it's a smaller size because of lower pixel pitch and higher resolution, so I prefer more pixels cause then there's more room to see more stuff. But of course, this is completely my perspective reflecting my own situation, so it doesn't apply to the rest of the world, which is why my opinion in this case is less valuable. The best thing for someone to do when comparing screen real estate (as has been mentioned on this forum frequently) is to go to best buy or whatever computer retailer you have locally, and compare the screen sizes on the demo models for yourself, and see what you like better. It's really a question of your preference.

Jay

 

I'm a huge W3 fan myself, but I say you go with either a V6J or if you can find one at a bargain, a V6Va. Overall I think the V6 series is the way you should go...but in the end, It all comes down to what you think and feel, pretend you had to buy one of them tomorrow (and that they'd all be available) Which one would you go with? Whatever comes to mind first should be your answer

Good luck

 

Thanks for all the insight! I figured the V6j probably had the better screen for my uses (lots of writing, developing simulations, internet stuff, etc.). I just wish the V6 was widescreen.

 

You already know this JB, but that is the V1j...how soon are you looking/needing to buy? Are you going to watch a lot of movies on it?

 

or i wish the w3 was taller

 

Yeah, I know about the V1j. It's the notebook I really want. My job change wasn't supposed to kick in until the end of summer, but things got pushed ahead of schedule by 90 days. I'll be on the road 2-3 weeks a month, including some overseas travel, so a light notebook is a must. I thought about getting a V6j or W3j now, then selling it when the V1j was available. I'm kinda using this unexpected rush as leverage for having work buy my new notebook. I wouldn't be dealing with this notebook dilemna if da bosses had stuck with our agreed-upon timetable. So, it's really their fault I need to buy one now and then get the one I want in a few months.

 

oh then, that's a very enviable problem jack.

hm, with the merom coming out end of the year- about similar timeline as the v1j coming out, im not sure whether it's gonna have a good resell value. but it shud be easy enough to resell either one though; still good notebooks.

get what u need for work, since it's gonna be used for tat primarily.

 

If you were concerned it was to thin dont be. The rigidity of the V6j is much more than the w3j. The v6j is thinkpad well built and rigid. while the w3v/j is not as stiff more flex. the lid on the v6j is actually stronger than the thin metal on the w3j. trust me ive used both the previous series and have a z63a and a w2v and used to have a z70v i know what im talking about. the v6j is as well built at the w2v which is the asus flag ship model and has zero flex anywhere.

 

I have the V6j, and I carry it around with me every day, its definitely easy if your going to do that, but this sucker is built well. I don't regret a penny of my purchase. Get the V6j - its worth it.

 

personaly i think if gaming isnt important of the modular bay. The v6j is just a nicer machine.

 

When I was deciding which to get, I originally thought that I was definitely going to get the W3J just because of its specs. But then I realized that I don't game and I'd much rather have a beautiful, solidly built machine and got the V6J.

 

SRD and TheRunaway hit my decision on the head, the V6j rocks if you don't need the x1600.

 

You guys have sold me on the V6j. I just e-mailed the specs to the boss, so the order oughtta go through next week.

My next task is to eBay my Sager 5720 and get an SFF PC for home. I'm looking at a Monarch Hornet Pro with an Athlon 64 dual core + GeForce 7900GTX.

 

LOL!

JB, welcome back

 

Way to be man. To your sig, indeed.

 

Back in the family. Feels so right!!

 

Me too ... I'm not so sure about 1280*768 - after having used 1600*1200 for the past four years, I'm used to having a lot of desktop real estate. And it sure comes in handy for programming or photoshop.
Almost makes me want to wait for the V1j, but then that's larger, heavier, and likely more expensive too...
On the other hand, gaming might be better off with the lower res - I'm not so sure the X1600 could handle high settings at 1680*1050, and interpolated pixels just don't look so good. Neither do huge black bars framing my view...

 

I'd be down with a V6 with a x1600. Could anybody make that for me?