Reviews of nc8430 with 1280 x 800 WXGA screens?

Anyone have a nc8430 with the WXGA screen? I could only find reviews of the WSXGA + model. I am trying to get some feedback on the screen in regards to clarity, brightness, leakage, dead pixels, viewing angles, etc...
Greatly appreciate any feedback you might have, especially if you have been able to compare both the lower and higher resolution screens. Much appreciated.

 

I would be surprise if you will ever find a review. That's like an auto magazine reviewing a car with only the standard features. Good luck though.

 

You might want to ask HP who the supplier is for the WXGA screen. My WSXGA+ screen was made by LG, and is the most beautiful screen I've seen yet. If it is LG, I would say you're probably in the clear.

But, why are you considering 1280 x 800 for a 15.4" screen? Why not WSXGA+?

 

I can only afford either the Core 2 Duo chip with the lower monitor or the Core Duo with the higher resolution.... I keep on going back an forh on which to get...

 

Well this may or may not make things confusing for you but the WSXGA screen is gorgeous but I don't think the lesser screen is going to hurt you overall experience. You should still be able to see movies, play games and surf the web. If anything, it will probably increase your battery charge.

 

Also, NO ONE should be charging more for a Core 2 Duo at the same clock speed as Core Duo. If they are you're getting ripped off.

 

Thats a good point.... bellullabob could you post the prices you're seeing and what your budget is?

 

One reason may be that the text is not so tiny on WXGA.
For example if text size on SXGA+ would be just a bit smaller, it would be to tiny for most people eyes.
yeah, you can increase text size, maybe make it bolder but that does not work in every program...

EDIT: that is why I seriously consider, that my next notebook will have WXGA 15.4 screen.

 

My budget is 1550 Max. So far these prices below seem to reflect most stores:

1) Nc8430 T2500 1gb 80gb Dvdrw 15.4-wsxga+ for $1455

or

2) NC8430 T5600 512mb 80gb Cdrw 15.4 wxga for $1370

My preference right now (it keeps on changing ) is for #1

 

OK, there are definitely some more significant differences then beyond CPU v. Screen.

In that case (assuming everything else holds true), the real question is whether you would rather have:

Twice the RAM, a DVD-Burner, and a WSXGA+

Or

Core 2 Duo.

I'd lean toward #1 unless you plan on upgrading the RAM shortly after purchase and don't care about a DVD-Burner.

 

Look at this way - I would not rank CPU as being my first criteria. Seriously, do you really think that differences in speeds between the CPUs is going to be that great ? I always tell people its better to choose the biggest hard drive you can get and and any other components that are not upgradeable such as the LCD screen type.

 

I say be patient save a little more money and then have the best of the both worlds.

 

I had been so obsessed with trying to figure out those two items that I completely ignored everything else Choice seems much more obvious now...

Thanks for all your help.

 

I can let you know about the WXGA screen tomorrow as that's when mine is set to arrive! WooHoo!

Say goodnight, Sony.

 

The Anandtech review showed that Merom was about 10 - 15 % faster IIRC. The test was done with a T2700 (2.33 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache) and a T7600 (2.33 GHz, 4 MB L2 cache). Same speed, but the Merom have twice the amount of L2 cache.

In this situation we're comparing a T2500 (2.0 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache) to a T5600 (1.83 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache) Merom is 9 % slower, and they both have the same amount of L2 cache. This review in french (just look at the table) shows that the extra cache will give 0 - 16 % better performance for Conroe, most likely a similar situation for Merom.

So the lower speed of the Merom and 2 MB L2 cache on both speaks in favour for the Yonah, compared to the review, when it comes to performance.
The T5600 may be a little more efficient, and it is a 64 bit CPU.

As I said before, I'd pick the T2500, because I want WSXGA and a DVD writer. These models use a low profile optical unit, so you can't just use any standard 1/2" (12.7 mm) DVD in it. You need HP's 9.8 mm (or whatever..) models, and they are EXPENSIVE. Just search for PA851 and you'll see (that's the older non dual layer version).

Edit: Here's the dual layer version.

 

Hi Bellullabob,
To answer the question you asked I have the Brightview wsxga 1280 x 800 native res screen and it is really nice. I prefer not to have to hold a magnifying glass in front of the screen.

 

Is "Brightview" a glossy coating?

And to respond to the original question at hand, while I am wondering the same thing you are, according to this link both the WXGA and WSXGA+ screens have a 300:1 contrast ratio and are rated at 170 nits. The difference is in the viewing angles where:

WXGA: Viewing Angle ±45° Horizontal, ±25° Vertical (typical)

WSXGA+: Viewing Angle ±65° Horizontal, ± 50° Vertical (typical)

Yeah, the worse viewing angle is a bummer, but its pretty much a standard thing with XGA screens, especially matte. 170 nits isn't exactly awesome, especially outdoors, but if they brightness on the two is identical, and people like the SXGA+ screen, then the XGA should be fine as well. That doesn't mean that in reality they are the same brighness though. Brightness ratings tend to be unreliable. Look at the MBP for instance, there's no way in hell that that screen is 300 nits, but that's what they claim.