which model of thinkpads offers widescreen

Hi,

I am into thinkpad, but i would like to know which of the thinkpad models offers:

1. 14~14.1 in
2. dedicated video card
3. widescreen

 

Z61m but only 15.4inch models come with dedicated video card. otherwise, a 14inch Z61t will do you good (integ. intel card)

 

If i don't really play intensive games, only use it for movies and minor games...... and graphic software like adobe, is the z61t a good choice for me, that will fit my need?

 

Or you can wait for the T60 Widescreen model.

 

yes. read the review here.

 

Photoshop tends to be CPU and memory intensive rather than the GPU.

 

If you plan to upgrade to Vista then Aero may or may not run that well with the Intel GMA950 graphics. It supposedly works but i've heard several users say it didn't perform as well as a decent dedicated graphics card.

 

Is the better screen (1680x1050) and dedicated GPU(X1400) of the Z61M worth the extra weight? I'm really torn between the Z61m and Z61t as it seems I can get better spec on the heavier machine close to the price of a lesser Z61t(slower processor,no dedicated video,smaller HD,no DVD burner). Is a 1440x900 14" screen a good one? I want a widescreen with DVD burner and S-video out to travel on a plane in carryon luggage. Too many decisions!

 

I haven't handled the z61t, but I own a z61m. For what it's worth, the laptop is a bit heavy, but it's nothing I couldn't live with. I have a laptop backpack that I use to carry it around in and I don't notice the extra weight.

I've also handled other 15.4 inch laptops at Brick and Mortar stores, and the z61m is comparable in weight.

On the other hand, the x1400 video card makes a big difference to me as I still like to play the occasional 3-d game here and there. Plus, as someone mentioned above, Aero would probably run better on a machine with a dedicated GPU.

Oh, and I forgot to mention. The 1680 x 1050 screen made text a little too small for me initially, but you get used to it. Now I find it weird when I use other computers with lower resolutions. Plus, the higher resolution gives more screen real estate. I find it very useful that I can open a web browser for online research, and open Microsoft Word next to it and type. No more switching back and forth between windows!

 

as said by alvin.. yeah the weight added is worth it.

the resolution of this baby is great, just enough for my needs. i get to have my web browser on the left up to the middle of the screen, a part on the right for my messenger to see who's online, and the extra space for other apps i am using. this way, i can see what's going on to all i am doing.

hey, forget the weight. this thing is has a compact feel to it. like the weight is proportional to it's size. feels very solid. you'll notice the weight once you put this thing on a sturdy bag (weighing 3lbs i guess, mine is). that'll be 10lbs with the charger.

 

Do you increase DPI to increase readablilty, or just get used to the font size eventually? I saw a 21 inch monitor with the 1680x1050 resolution in Circuit City, and loved it after I increased DPI to 125. I think the weight premium might not be too bad as I'm not carrying it long distances every day. It should fit ok in a carry on bag, and if traveling by car, not a problem. I'm almost ready to pull the trigger guys.

 

Sorry, 1 more wrinkle. I know some of you Thinkpad guys sort of turn up your nose at the Lenovo 3000 N 100, but it's also widescreen. I can get one from an individual with the following specs:
15.4 in 1680x1050 VibrantView LCD
1.83 T2400 processor, 1.5gb RAM,100 GB 5400 HD,DVD-RW, Bluetooth,WIFI, Geoforce 7300, 4 USB/1Firewire/S-Video, 6 cell battery, and Win XP Pro.
Good deal for $1150? How much more would you pay for a Z61m with similar specs(only 1gb Ram). Would the build quality at least be better than Dell or HP or Toshibas of this world.
Thanks

 

Different strokes for different folks.

I'd pick the z61t over the z61m in a heartbeat... of course you get less.
The more portable a laptop, the more expensive it is... because portability is perhaps the most important feature in a laptop.

I certainly want a laptop to be portable, as light & convientient as possible. Same with a camera. The Z61m is like a brick to me. I haven't had anything that big and heavy in about 12 years. If you're gonna take it out much, you may regret it. Unless you really need discre te graphics.
My laptop and adapter are about 4 pounds together, and that's plenty for carrying everyday.

I wouldn't worry about vista's compatibility with *any* current laptop... MS is not gonna release an OS that doesn't run on most people's computers (otherwise it wont sell).

As for the screen & real estate... just add an external monitor. You can even use both screens at once with different stuff on each.

 

SXGA+ thinkpads typically ship with larger fonts already preset. I increase the DPI to increase readability, as i cannot get used to tiny text (or eye strain & headaches)... but some ppl do. Thing is, even if you increase the fonts and DPI, there still will be some apps or pages that have tiny text, but it's manageable.

Your laptop screen wont be anything like that 21 inch 1680x1050 monitor in the store.... if you loved that monitor, then I'd get that external monitor and budget for the laptop accordingly.

As for weight, repeat laptop buyers usually go smaller/lighter. I've gone from 15" to 14" to 12". Portability is the leading feature that a laptop can offer. Today we have 3 pound laptops with the power of a desktop, last all day on battery and get wireless reception anywhere.

 

But then there are those of us who get a 15" as a desktop replacement to use as a workstation, and then dream of (or if you're rich, actually get) a sub for portability. I appreciate being able to take a powerful, high resolution machine all around the house, out on the back patio, or across the street in the park with ease. I've found I don't need the power and resolution of my desktop anymore, but 12" would be going too far.

But ****, an X60s, Q2010, or P7120 would be nice to take down to the coffee shop or to classes. I think everyone has use for an ultraportable, but you have to ask yourself a few questions.

Is this your primary computer? If so, and you have any need whatsoever for a higher resolution and don't want to have to dock, then get a bigger machine. If you'll have a desktop and will rarely use workspace hungry apps on the portable, then get a smaller machine.

Will you be moving it around more than using it at home or the office? Will you generally be stationary when it's in use?

If you bought a new desktop right now, which level of laptop would it be more comparable with? Would you demand massive storage, maybe with SCSI or RAID? Would you have a huge high resolution screen, or multiple screens? Multiple processors? Multiple optical drives? Would you be able to squeeze these things into any sort of notebook? What about with docking?

 

Thank you all for your input. The one thing I've found out by researching, there is no perfect laptop. The key is finding what features one really needs vs what would be nice.
Another question, how do the screens compare between the Z61t and Z61m? The Z61m is listed as a maxbright screen at 300 nits vs 200 nits for the Z61t. I want a matte screen as long as it isn't too dim and has fairly good viewing angles.
Thanks for answering all these noob questions.

 

Both those screens are comparable and bright enough. Viewing angles are so-so. Depends on what you're used to, and whether you put it beside a trubrite or flexview. You dont read anyone complaining about them.

And you got it right... the choice depends on your needs and there's no perfect laptop - it's tradeoffs.

 

Can't say anything about the z61t screen, but the z61m screen is plenty bright enough for me. I even find the lowest brightness setting suitable for doing typing and light web browsing.

To answer your question about pricing, my z61m came with a t2400, 1gb ram, 100gb HD, radeon x1400 (comparable to a GeForce 7400 I've read), 1680 x 1050, 6 cell battery and wifi (no bluetooth). With an essential port replicator, it came to around 2200 CAN after tax if not purchased through EPP. Mine was purchased through EPP so it was significantly cheaper.

 

I just received my Z61t. I purposely selected it because of size and weight issues. The larger screens simply don't fit well on seatback trays on airline coach seats -- the first class/business upgrades are a lot harder to come by!

I was skeptical of the integrated video card but I gambled and it does seem ok. I'm not a gamer but I wanted to be able to watch good quality DVD and Windows Media HD. To test the Z61t, I went to the Microsoft website and downloaded the free HDTV trailers in 720P. They play perfectly and look outstanding.

Images in Photoshop look ok but I would never consider any serious editing/tweaking of a photo on a laptop. I use a dedicated workstation and a SONY graphics quality CRT 21" monitor for that purpose.

I also ordered the 100 gig 7200rpm hard drive and 2 gigs of memory because I also intend to use the machine for capture of video from an HD camcorder.

Battery life seems outstanding although I've yet to actually time it to see how long it will last playing DVDs or with heavy hard drive use.

I am extremely pleased so far...the keyboard is amazing compared to my past Dell and Toshiba laptops.

The only downsides: Audio quality of the built in speakers is poor with very low output compared to my Dell and not really adequate for listening. Although with Shure earplugs the audio quality is outstanding. Secondly, the viewing angle of the screen is narrow. It would be difficult to watch a DVD movie with a friend. On the other hand, that is a benefit when using it on a plane or in other close quarters.

 

Hi,

I have some issues with my Z61m.

I cannot seem to be able to set a lower resolution (wide) than the default 1680x1050 which is makes the fonts too small for my eyes.

Is there something I am missing here. I need to set resolutions like 1280x800 or 1440x900 but both are missing from the selection list even if I have the latest drivers and monitor files.

Please advice.

Tank you

 

If you run it at lower than the default it will look blurry. You can try to increase the DPI.