Screen Comparasion: T61 vs Vostro (15" 1680 X 1050)

I am trying to decide between a Vostro 1500 and a T61. Now that I saw a 20% coupon on the T61, it only put the cost at about $200 more than the Vostro.

The T61 is also configured with a T8300 vs T7500.

My big concern is the quality of the screen:
Lenovo's 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT vs
Dell's 15.4 in Wide Screen SXGA+LCD Display w/TrueLife™

Also.....

Video cards: (Any diffeence)
Nvidia Quadro NVS 140M vs
Nvidia8400GS

No games will be played. Justed for business software and watching HD videos streamed from the network.

Thanks to all



Anyone seen and used both

 

I think it would depend on who manufactures the screen. They both source the screens from elsewhere. The reviews on this site for both laptops should include viewing angle shots. If that doesn't work I'd try to find out who makes the screen for each.

A side note, you'd get considerably more battery life with an integrated graphics chip as opposed to the Nvidias. If you don't do 3d applications the integrated x3100 is the same for watching movies - no difference at all.

 

I agree with Inlaw. If you're not going to game or use CAD programs, you would be better off with the integrated X3100 card.

TrueLife is just Dell's fancy word for glossy.

Advantages of glossy is it is brighter and produces more vibrant colors at the cost of a very reflective screen in a well lit environment. You could probably use it as a mirror if you wanted to.

The T61 has a matte screen. Matte screens are ideal in a business environment because they do not reflect at all, if at any. The screen is still bright, just not as bright. And the colors don't "pop" as much, but it's still good.

I believe Dell and Lenovo use the same manufacturers for LCDs (Samsung and LG), but don't quote me on that.

People report that LGs are brighter than Samsungs, but both screens are very good once calibrate. It's a coin toss as to which you'd get though.

 

I finally decided on the T61 after all the advice here. After the coupons, the computer will cost $1,200 delivered.

T8300
2 gb
80gb
15.4 inch
Discrete Video NVS 140M
9-cell battery
1680 x 1050 screen
Intel N wireless
bluetooth
1-year warranty

** Still can't decide between XP Pro or Vista Premium. I really fear the move to Vista. Should i worry or just go with it.....

Thanks again all.

 

I just got my T61 yesterday & it came with Vista ultimate...If you like to be productive when on your computer, I'd run a mile from Vista.

 

So after one day you already hate vista? Wow - Is it the learning curve or does it just suck?

 

Vista gets better, I would seriously suggest a clean install though. There are guides on here that would help you with that. When I first got my t61 it had about 90-95 processes running on it. At first, I tried to manually delete the programs, but that wasn't working well. After a clean install, I got it down to 55-58 processes.

The only downside with vista in my opinion is that it uses up too many resources. But any new computer will be able to handle it easily.

Despite what i've heard other people say, vista is more stable now than xp ever was for me, and it looks A LOT nicer.

 

I love Vista. Utilizes the ram perfectly and with a new computer and a clean install, I dont see why not.

 

Vista is the devil. I've tried it 5 separate times in the past year, and I always seem to go back to XP.

 

So it looks like it is a 50/50 crap shot. This is so difficult.

Something that most people forget to mention is that if the aero interface is too slow... why not just disable it. Won't that just solve the problem. The you have have all the other benefits of Vista without the Aero slowdown. You can pet the feature back at anytime.

 

My WSXGA+ screen needed quite a bit of color correction, a color profile, but I I like it. I prefer matte screens because they can be used outside well.

If you are going to be watching HiDef, I'd get a 7,200 RPM drive, but it's $120 cheaper to buy a Hitachi 7K200 yourself, than buy one from Lenovo.

The T61P has more graphics chip than either of those.