WSXGA+ is haunting me...

Okay, folks, after the "price error" cancellations of July 29 weekend R61 purchases, I used my 10% off toward a new R61 today.

The website, as was mentioned, is not showing a WSXGA+, but my very helpful sales rep at Lenovo said he could still order the screen for me. But I went ahead with just a WSXGA screen as I thought this might be good enough for what I need.

Now I'm second-guessing. First, if I decide to get the WSXGA+ and think everything looks too small, can I scale down to a WSXGA-similar resolution and maintain clarity?

Second, if I just placed my order today, is it real easy for them to change something like this or do I have to get a whole new order?

FYI, 95% of my computer usage consists of browsing the internet/e-mail. My usual computer screen is a 19" Dell UltraSharp LCD.

Any other insight regarding the differences between screens would be helpful... I've never used a 14.1" widescreen laptop in person before, so unfortunately I have no point of reference. Thanks!

BTW, here's the specs I ordered:

1 7742CT CONFIGURED SYSTEM
09/04/07 $1,165.50 $1,165.50
42V8190 SBB INTEL CORE 2 DUO PRCESST7300
42V8012 SBB MS WIN VISTA HOME BASIC
42W7293 SBB MSWINVISTA H-BAS32 US ENG
42X1670 SBB 14.1"WXGA TFT,W/ CAMERA
42X0932 SBB NVIDIA QUADRO NVS 140M MEDIACARD
41W2060 VBB 1GB PC2-5300 667MHZ 1DIMM
42V8195 SBB KEYBOARD US ENGLISH
42W7032 SBB ULTRANAV(TRCKP+TOUCHP)
42V8712 SBB 100GB HDD,7200RPM
42V8193 SBB INTEL TURBO MEMORY 1GB
42V8718 SBB DVDREC.8XMAXDUAL L.ULT.ENH
42V8177 SBB INT.WIRE.WIFI/LINK4965AGN
62P6054 VBB INTEGR.BLUETOOTH PAN
42V9339 SBB 7 CELL LI-ION BATERRY
39T6442 SBB COUNTRY PACK NORTH AMERICA
27R1769 SBB PSTN CABLE
42W7087 SBB LP,US ENGLISH

 

I believe you mean WXGA.

Now I'm second-guessing. First, if I decide to get the WSXGA+ and think everything looks too small, can I scale down to a WSXGA-similar resolution and maintain clarity?

My 15.4" T61's WSXGA+'s screen, to me, is very easy to read. Nothing is too small and text is still easily readable.

And if you scale down, it'll cause the screen to get fuzzy. Not unreadable-type fuzzy, but annoying enough for me to dislike using any scaled-down monitor.

However, when it comes to screens, it's all personal opinion. Unless you have bad eyes, of course.

 

T61 14.1 WS are available in WXGA+ (1440x900, 120 PPI) and WXGA (1280x800, 107 PPI)
T61 15.4 WS are available in WSXGA+ (1680x1050, 129 PPI) and WXGA (1280x800, 98 PPI)

*Note: PPI = pixels per inch*

Sources:
1, 2


From your partlist you posted you ordered a "14.1"WXGA TFT".

So you are missing out on an extra 160x100 pixels by going with the lower resolution LCD.

Although it sounds like there are delays for the WXGA+ panel, that is what I would want. WXGA is unacceptable for me... *if* I was going for the 14.1 WS form factor. But I prefer at least WSXGA+... I'd like to see the new p's WUXGA tho 146 PPI is insanely high...

EDIT: The only thing I find difficult with WSXGA+ on a 15.4 screen is some websites images that don't scale, however, that isn't the norm.

Also, if text is too small, instead of lowering your resolution, you may increase your DPI (Dots per inch) in windows and this will increase the text size for you. Although some programs don't always work well with that (so I've heard).

 

I think you should go down to best buy or some other store and try to find a 15 inch WSXGA+ screen. I also thought it might be a bit small when I first ordered my T61 but after I got it I thought the resolution was fine even though I use the same res on my desktop LCD.

Remember you're sitting closer to your notebook when you use it, while you use your desktop monitor further away. And you can always zoom into the text with Firefox if the type is to small. You can also adjust the dpi in windows if things look to small.

But with everything said, you should go down to a store and tell them to unhook it from the safety things and sit down and use it.

 

Well, not currently.

 

Talic, He ordered a 14.1"...

Moreover, you will be hard pressed to find a WSXGA+ panel in a retail store (at least where I live none of the BestBuys have them...)

 

We aren't talking web orders...

 

Ugh, yeah I didn't look at hes config to closely, I guess the same could be said for wxga+. swenpro theres a difference between wxga+ and wsxga+, wxga+ = 14.1 LCDs wsxga+ 15.4 LCDs.

 

Sorry about the confusion, guys, and thanks for your responses... Yes, I did mean that I ordered a 14.1" WXGA, and am considering a 14.1" WXGA+. I'll e-mail my rep today and see what I can find out.