The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    T530 (HD+) or T540p (FHD)

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by blackthinkpad, Jul 23, 2014.

  1. blackthinkpad

    blackthinkpad Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I have a T530 (HD+) and a T540p (FHD) on order from the Outlet. I'm thinking about cancelling one as both of these are impulse buys. Which one of these should I keep? Which one should have the best screen for running regular office apps and surfing the web? I'm concerned the FHD is going to look too small if I'm going to be working in front of the laptop all day. Also, are the keyboard layout and build quality really superior on the older T530? This is the laptop I'm going to be using for the next 3-5 years. Any advice? Thanks!

    Specs:

    T530 (HD+) / i5-3320M / Intel 4000 Graphics / 4GB / 500GB 7200rpm HDD / DVD-R / Win 8 Pro 64 (going to clean install Win 7) / Price: $580

    T540p (FHD) / i5-4200M / Intel 4600 Graphics / 8GB / 500GB 7200rpm HDD / DVD-R / Win 7 Pro 64 / Price: $710
     
    blackthinkpad, Jul 23, 2014
    #1
  2. ajkula66

    ajkula66 Courage and Consequence

    Reputations:
    3,018
    Messages:
    3,198
    Likes Received:
    2,318
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Cancel both.

    None of these screens are anything but lower-end panels.

    If you want a decent LCD, get a T530 with FHD.
     
    ajkula66, Jul 23, 2014
    #2
  3. blackthinkpad

    blackthinkpad Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Is T530 with FHD guaranteed to be IPS and nothing else? Do you think the text on FHD going to look too small and cause eye strain if you have to work with it all day?
     
    blackthinkpad, Jul 23, 2014
    #3
  4. citan

    citan Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have IPS on my t440s. I love just staring at it. Never buying non IPS laptop again.
     
    citan, Jul 23, 2014
    #4
  5. ajkula66

    ajkula66 Courage and Consequence

    Reputations:
    3,018
    Messages:
    3,198
    Likes Received:
    2,318
    Trophy Points:
    231

    No, T530 with FHD is NOT IPS. IPS was not an option on that model whatsoever. It is, however, a very decent - presuming you get a v4 and not a v1 which is somewhat of a lottery - high-gamut TN panel.

    As for the eye strain...it depends on a number of things. No one can make that decision for you.

    My eyesight is pretty horrendous by any measurable criteria but I'm fine with 1080 (actually 1200) on a decent 15.6"/15.4" LCD.

    Needless to say, YMMV...
     
    ajkula66, Jul 23, 2014
    #5
  6. darkydark

    darkydark Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    143
    Messages:
    671
    Likes Received:
    93
    Trophy Points:
    41
    I found out that 1600x900 is resolution that suits me best on 15.6 - no need for scaling of any kind. Fhd on a 15.6 is a waste for me because once you go into scaling you loose screen real estate and you get back to 1600x900 in terms of practical use.

    But like poster above me said YMMW.
     
    darkydark, Jul 24, 2014
    #6
  7. blackthinkpad

    blackthinkpad Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Which 15.6" T-Series has IPS panel?
     
    blackthinkpad, Jul 24, 2014
    #7
  8. ajkula66

    ajkula66 Courage and Consequence

    Reputations:
    3,018
    Messages:
    3,198
    Likes Received:
    2,318
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Only T540p in the 3K guise.
     
    ajkula66, Jul 24, 2014
    #8
  9. ibmthink

    ibmthink Notebookcheck Deity

    Reputations:
    897
    Messages:
    1,936
    Likes Received:
    385
    Trophy Points:
    101
    If you choose between T530 (HD+) and T540p (FHD) based on the display quality, the T530 with the HD+ display would win. Its no IPS, but its still miles ahead of the FHD display used in the T540p in terms of contrast, viewing angles, and black value...
     
    ibmthink, Jul 24, 2014
    #9
  10. 600X

    600X Endless bus ride

    Reputations:
    677
    Messages:
    813
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Not to mention that it also covers sRGB, which the crappy T540p FHD panel of course doesn't.
     
    600X, Jul 26, 2014
    #10
  11. ibmthink

    ibmthink Notebookcheck Deity

    Reputations:
    897
    Messages:
    1,936
    Likes Received:
    385
    Trophy Points:
    101
    Well, I did not include the point "color gammut" there for a reason.
    Review Update Lenovo ThinkPad W540 20BG001BGE Workstation - NotebookCheck.net Reviews (same display T540p FHD)
    Review Lenovo ThinkPad L540 20AV002YGE Notebook - NotebookCheck.net Reviews (same displays as T540p FHD)
    Review Lenovo ThinkPad T530 2429-5XG Notebook - NotebookCheck.net Reviews
    Review Lenovo Thinkpad T520 Notebook - NotebookCheck.net Reviews (same displays as in T530)

    Neither of those cover sRGB completely, with the exception of the T520 - you may have the chance to get this panel in the T530, but it isn´t guaranteed. Thats why I did not include this point in my list.

    I would call the T540p FHD display crappy - its not on par with the 3K display, or the T530 FHD, but it should be fine for normal work. Its an OK panel I would say. Nothing special.
     
    ibmthink, Jul 26, 2014
    #11