X230 or W530 only options for best screen quality?

I have been saving for a while for a new laptop and have decided on a Lenovo. I do a lot of quick photo editing on the fly and from my research last year on this forum, it would seem I need to get either the X230 (for the IPS screen) or a W530 for the better 1080p screen, although it's not IPS.

Problem is the X230 may be a bit too small as I wear glasses and I get eye strain quite easily. And the W530 has the optional full 1080p resolution screen which also may make it difficult on my eyes due to small icons and such.

Just how bad is the HD screen on the T430? I am coming from an HP DM4 with a horrible screen so anything has to better than this junk I hope. Any other opinions on which way I should go. I will be ordering in the next month so I have some time to decide.

Thanks All.

 

I think it's more likely the T530 with the FHD will cause eye strain as the PPI is much higher than the X230.

The T430 screens are not bad, but average.

The T530 offers a better color gamut, but not the angles on the X230. Neither one will match a good desktop screen. I guess for me it would boil down to how much mobility you need. If it's a lot then the X230 is probably a better choice, though you could pick up a good LCD for when you're at your desk that would be better than the T530 LCD.

 

The T430 screen is pretty horrible. I wouldn't suggest it for photo stuff.

The screen on the 14 inch X1 Carbon is a pretty decent screen though. Not as good as the W530 FHD, but much better than the other 14 inch Thinkpad displays.

As for eye strain and stuff. You can always run the W530 FHD at a lower resolution.

 

The T430 is not horrible, but merely average. I don't think we can say anything about the X1 with certainty until it hits the streets. If you run a LCD at a non-native resolution, it will be blurry. Bumping up the DPI seems a better option.

 

Thanks for the comments. I don't really need the mobility of the X230 but it would be nice. I just watched a review on YouTube and the screen real estate is so limited by the small and wide screen. I will say the viewing angles seem outstanding. I didn't realize the W530 was so big compared to the X230. It's too bad the 430 doesn't have a screen I can use.

I want to get a laptop that will last me 4 years or more so I am trying to find the whole package. Are the extended warranty and accidental protection worth purchasing? I would get the 3 year option, if any.

 

If you know somebody that has the W510/W520/W530 with the FHD screen, look at it closely when the DPI is set to 125%. It's really easy to read on that setting.

 

That would be great, but all my friends have cheap laptops and think I'm crazy for wanting to spend over a $1000 for something a little nicer.