x61 vs the ugly x200

[rusi_pathan]

I have a trusty 6 year old x22 which works perfectly for me (I run linux with a minimalist window manager and do all the computational heavy work/coding on the server side).

Though I dont need a new laptop immediately I was thinking of buying one late next year. What I am worried about is the fact that the x61 series is not being replaced by something comparable. The x200 is outright ugly (specially the thick bezel) and about an inch wider than the x61 it is replacing (see here). I really dont understand what the Lenovo design has been smoking recently.

So is x200 really what future models would look like? Because if that is the case then I will probably buy the x61s before it is discontinued. Any pointers/tips are much appreciated.

[dspeed]

Its a marketing/production thing.  the wide screen monitors are approx 10% smaller viewing aeas size for size.  And I suspect a lot cheaper to make.  I've heard speculation that the 4:3 displays will eventually be re-inroduced as a premium article.

That said, I just replaced my T42 with an X200.  I thought I'd miss the old high rez screen, but it didn't happen.

A lot of the web content (including tis forum) is still sized for the 4:3 monitor, but I suspect that, given the rush to HZDTV and the  16:9 display format, this will change in the next 12 months or so.

Bottom line:  Its not as bad it you might think.

Dave

[danguy]

I just got my new X200 as an upgrade to my 1400x1050 T43, and it is indeed as bad as you think.

I keep going back to my T43 to browse the web and do general work, as the screen is far superior. You can just generally fit more useful information on the screen at 4:3; widescreen wastes most of the screen with horizontal bars (taskbar, titles, toolbars, status bars, etc.)

Also, the X200 screen has a blinding 9300K color to it, but no simple way to configure that in Windows--and you probably already know just how easy that is to change the screen temp in Linux . I'm still fiddling with the gamma to find something that doesn't hurt.

Message Edited by danguy on 10-18-2008 09:04 PM

[hudson]

I like the X200, I have been using it for about a week now and going from using  a Apple MBP; I am impressed with the screen and the computer in general. I also had a X61T and I still like the X200 better. I think its all in a matter of personal opinion. I too had about two weeks of research in comparing the X61 or X200 and in the end I went with the X200. I too would prefer a thinner bezel but I don't really notice it.

There are some good deals on the X61 on the Lenovo outlet, I have seen some as low as $700.

[dspeed]

After your post, I looked at the screen, and it seems a little blue.  Is the 9300 deg K an objective or subjective evaluation?  (Not being critical, just curious ...)

Have you tried Adobe Gamma or anything else in theWindoze world to adjust it?  To calibrate my NEC 2690WUXi, I got the iOne calibration rig, but the software supplied w it seems specific to the NEC.  I'll try to find a copy of the Xrite software from Gretag MacBethif I can find it.

I intend to use my X200 for field evaluation of photos among other things, but am not too twisted up about the screen at that level.

Dave

[rusi_pathan]

Thanks for your response. Sure the 16:9 is cheaper to make but Thinkpads have traditionaly valued functionality more.

Also I do like 16:9 screens but only on 19"+ LCDs. I think I hate the wide bezels more than the aspect ratio. Given the size of the X200 they should have used a 13.3" screen ( If I got the specs correct then its diagonal is ~14.3" ). Right now a lot of real estate on the laptop is simply being wasted (so that Lenovo can save some dollars). When compared to the X61 the X200 has a smaller screen area (by 10%) but is a full inch wider in size and thats kind of odd.

I think I will go ahead and buy an x61 from the outlet since they are up for a bargain.

Message Edited by rusi_pathan on 10-19-2008 08:31 PM

Message Edited by rusi_pathan on 10-20-2008 02:25 AM

[danguy]

>Is the 9300 deg K an objective or subjective evaluation?

Totally subjective. I do not own the equipment to  actually properly test, but it is very blue. One think to be said about the screen is that it is also very bright (compared to my T43 and SyncMaster 205BW), which will sure help you out in the field.

BTW, apart from the screen, speaker, and software volume control (and maybe the lack of serial port on the dock), I have nothing else to complain about in regards to the X200. In my opinion, it was a worthy upgrade.

Message Edited by danguy on 10-19-2008 09:26 PM

[wjli2]

Buy a product that fits your purpose. But the bottom line is that Lenovo should be given credit for holding on for long with the X61 and standard aspect ratio screen, when the major rival HP and Dell went all widescreen years before on the 12.1 screen laptops. 

The current production process used for LCD production are better suited for widescreen production than standard screen production, since it involves less trimoffs. Also LCD industry are more attracted towards the production of large LCD for TV and desktop screens than laptop screens.