screen comparisons between t420 and t520?

I'm trying to decide between the t420 and t520, and other than overall size it seems like perhaps the biggest difference might be screen quality? I've read some saying that the screen is much better in the 520.

I would likely be getting the 1600x900 res, even if it's the 520, as 1920x1080 is probably just too small for my aging eyes. So keep that in mind when sharing your experiences.

I don't need the screen to be perfect, but I'm coming from a Macbook Pro which I love, and I'm guessing neither model will hold up to that.

thx

 

How so? Windows 7 allows you to set text scaling:





On my 23" IPS, it's 100%. On my T520 1920x1080, it's 125%. Quite nice.

You may not be guessing right this time. The T/W520 1920x1080 panel is awesome, and matte.

 

Yep, the T520's 1920x1080 panel is definitely on par with that of the MBP 15's. I would go to a local store and look at 15.6" laptops with 1920x1080 screens (there should be at least one or two) and see if the text size is okay. Play with the DPI settings if you can as well (as Kaso described) to see if you like the results.

 

there should be at least one or two: I love your optimism.

HP, 1366x768. Next. Acer, 1366x768. Next. Toshiba, 1366x768. Next...

 

Haha, sadly, most people who go in-store to buy a PC are primarily looking for the best bang-for-the-buck, and screen options are usually disregarded in that case. Last time I checked, though, my local Best Buy had one or two 1920x1080 laptops with 15.6" screens. Fry's Electronics has more high-end options, if you have one of those nearby.

 

Since you have used macbook pro before, you will definitely feel disappointed on the HD+ screen on either T520 or T420, except FHD on W520.

If you still want to make a decision between T520 and T420, I will say T520 is a better choice since T420 screen is quite narrow and small.

 

The HD+ screen on the T520 is much better than the HD+ screen on the T420. The FHD screen (available on both the W520 and T520; it's the same screen) is even better, though.

 

T520 and W520 FHD RGB 95% Gamut screen is probably one of the best in the business for TN.

 

thanks for the feedback everyone.

sounds like no question the FHD T520 screen is best. unfortunately I'm trying to keep this purchase around $1k. that means I can get a T520 HD+ refurb. but the FHD screen doesn't show up much in refurbs and new i'm easily up in the $1300-1400 range.

it also sounds like going for the T520 is worth the screen improvement, even if it's just with HD+.

Nice to see the resolution independence in Win7. I hadn't realized that. Apple has been promising something similar for five years. Still no sign of it.

 

Where are you located at. Sometime with Lenovo it is cheaper to buy a brand new T series with coupon than buying a refurbish from the outlet.

 

illinois.

since I want the nvidia gfx, webcam, and if at all possible the SSD, it looks like a new FHD T560 runs $1394.10 (w/ eCoupon).

i love the SSD performance in my MBP that I'm not sure i'd be willing to trade an SSD for the FHD screen. but it is true that if i dropped the SSD and went for the 320GB 7200rpm that it comes down to $1138.

not including tax of course.

 

I believe you can get additional 10% discount if you sign up to Lenovo's communication prefences center not sure if it is stack-able with the president's day coupon. Lenovo -

Another thing you might consider is to switch to professional to home premium if you don't need the feature in Window Pro

While the HD+ screen isn't on par with the Macbook Pro, it is alot better than screen on majority of other mainstream laptops.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Lenovo-Thinkpad-T520-Notebook.51596.0.html

 

can't stack the discounts unfortunately. good idea tho.

 

but...it turns out i can get an educational discount (i'm a student) and that appears to stack with a coupon code. SO, now I'm leaning towards just going for the whole deal: FHD, SSD, NVIDIA. I'll still get the slowest CPU, but i figure the rest makes up for it. total price is $1230.39.

so it's really worth it? esp. the FHD vs the HD+?

 

I wouldn't purchase an SSD or RAM upgrades from any laptop vendor, Lenovo included. It's almost always cheaper to get and install those parts yourself.

Regarding the screen: that's up to you. Personally I think the FHD upgrade is absolutely worth it, but you're the only one who can put a price on your satisfaction with a given screen.