Thinkpad T60p screen

I'm about to purchase a Thinkpad T-series notebook and all that's left to decide is whether I should go with the T60 (200772U) or the T60p (2623DDU). Both are roughly the same price for me since the T60 would be direct from Lenovo Canada and the T60p from CDW USA, so the obvious choice would be to go with the T60p; but the main hesitation I have is with the UXGA screen on the T60p.

I currently use an SXGA+ screen (for the past three years actually) and am quite comfortable with it---in fact, I wouldn't purchase anything less. My concern is that UXGA would be too fine a resolution: text readability is very important to me as I spend quite a bit of time working on my notebook and I'd rather not resort to adjusting the default Windows font sizes, etc. Any opinions on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Also, does anyone know if Lenovo warranties work internationally? Primarily, I'm wondering if purchasing from CDW USA would affect the warranty in any way in Canada. I'll also be spending some time outside of North America so it would be greatly preferable if the notebook could be serviced should problems arise.

Thanks in advance for any help...

 

Watch out if you plan to have your T60P shipped from USA to Canada. You will be dinged with taxes, custom fees, brokerage fees, and who knows what else that will boost the overall price by hundreds of dollars. Are you going to use your VISA card to pay for the purchase from Lenovo Canada? If so, you get 20% off the web price through visaperks.ca just in case you didn't know already.

 

You need that fingerprint reader. If someone steals your laptop (10% are stolen) the thief is screwed.

 

Obviously if you can get a look at one before your buy that would be prefered. You can of course increase the DPI if you would like larger text. It would be too small for me, but it is a personal preference. I think there are some pictures posted over on ThinkPads.com forums.

 

You serious about that? Wow, we've got a lot of people not taking proper care of their property then.

 

Too fine? As in too small or too good?

The higher the resolution the better. You can download Microsoft tools to make sure your screen is optimally setup for your eyes but always go with the higher resolution. I would have a hard time myself purchasing something LESS than 1600 x 1200.

 

Thanks for all the quick replies.

Hanson: I did factor in taxes and shipping, but the customs fees really didn't occur to me (so thanks for reminding me). I believe CDW includes them in the shipping cost but I'll give them a call about it in any case. And I did intend to use my VISA so I'll be sure to check out visaperks.ca too.

Karl Gruber: I checked and both models do come with the fingerprint reader---one of the many reasons I'm looking at Lenovo actually (the ESS is a plus too in that regard).

zazonz: Looking at the notebook in person would be a bit of a problem in Canada as I don't believe any large retailers carry them. My brother owns a Thinkpad Z60m with a WSXGA+ screen (1680 x 1050), which I figure is probably as close to UXGA as I'm going to see on a Thinkpad. I will see if I can find any old UXGA to check out though.

Mandrake: Too small AND too good . I'm so used to looking at my subpar Dell SXGA+ that I'm afraid my eyes would implode with such a fine display... But as I mentioned before, anything less than SXGA+ isn't really an option, so maybe UXGA wouldn't be too far of a stretch for me.

Again, thanks for your input, guys---I really appreciate it. I'm going to give it a little more thought but it'll probably come down to what Hanson pointed out (i.e. customs fees and so on). Also, any thoughts on the 14" SXGA+ display? I know it's not FlexView, but how do you guys think it compares?

 

""I would have a hard time myself purchasing something LESS than 1600 x 1200.""

You have eagle's eyes, most of us don't ;o)

 

How did you manage to purchase online cdw.com? When I check out I am immediately redirected to cdw.ca!?

 

Really? I've never had that happen before (I just tried it out now too)... Even if check-out doesn't work for you on their website, you can always purchase from them over phone since they do sell internationally.

 

I've heard that that there are no duties any more. Instead GST and/or PST is paid on all merchandise from US so in that regard it is like you buy in Canada + S & H. Can you confirm that?

 

I'm not sure actually. I phoned CDW USA just now and spoke to one of their sales reps (I couldn't get a hold of my Account Manager), and what he pretty much said was to order through CDW Canada instead since it would avoid the hassle of duties, taxes, etc. I'm not sure what to make of that as I've ordered from them in the past without any problems. As far as I remember, it would always end up being COD for tax (no duties) when the courier dropped off the package.

Lately I've been ordering from CDW Canada because it always ends up cheaper than CDW USA (as the shipping is much less); but that's not really an option when it comes to the T60p since Lenovo demands such a mind-boggling fee in Canada ($5200 CAD + tax).

I think for me that it'll probably be best just to buy as Hanson suggested from visaperks.ca. I almost wet myself when I found out that it was REALLY 20% off...

 

Even with 20% on $5000 you have to pay $4000. It is still a lot cheaper to buy in USA. Shipping is only $100 so it is neglectable. GST/PST goes in either case. Did you mention warranty is international i.e. can you repair unit in Canada? Or you have to send it back to CDW USA?

 

I'd probably be buying the T60 if I buy from visaperks.ca as opposed to the T60p, but we'll see how it goes. As for the warranty, it is indeed international so you can have your computer serviced anywhere. After purchase, you'll be dealing directly with Lenovo for any warranty issues, although I do think that CDW offers complimentary phone support up to 5 years after purchase.