I am trying to decide on what laptop to get - Powerbook 15" w/Superdrive or IBM ThinkPad T42 Series.
I read on several threads that discuss the coming update to the current Powerbooks and several people there complained about the 1280x854 resolution of the Apple 15" PBs being much lower than comparable PC laptops. For example, the IBM Thinkpad I may get has 1400x1050 resolution.
One of my problems is this - I have seen the PBs in person, and I have seen both the old and the new HD Cinema Displays in person. I have also seen the Sony and Samsung 23" or 24" LCD Widescreen displays at the same place as the Apple's. As you know both the Sony and the Samsung promote the same resolution as the Apple 23" HD displays. However, I am here to say WITHOUT A DOUBT that Apple's display is absolutely stunning, while the pictures/displays of the other 2 are absolutely horrible. Both the Sony and Samung were sort of blurry and had a very rough looking, ribbed plastic screen.
I dont understand this at all since at least Sony advertises the same exact specs as Apple's 23". After reading several reviews of smaller LCDs on Tomshardware.com, I learned that specs dont mean a thing. The way the panel was manufactured and who manufactured it plays a very significant factor in the quality of the display.
Ok, so I have absolutely NO chance to see the Thinkpad's screen b4 purchasing it. The PBs screen looks incredible. Is it possible that even with the stated lower resolution that the quality of the Apple panels will make the IBM's panel look terrible thereby eliminating the ability to compare just based on numbers?
I have been a PC user up to this point, and I will build a gaming PC as well as purchase a laptop and an iMac G5. I will use a big CRT for the gaming rig. My major concern is buying the right laptop that I will be happy with for at least a year.
What do u experienced Apple guys think of my display comments? Will the numbers really matter - as in just because the IBM's stated resolutions are higher, will they look better that the PB displays or will the quality of Apple panels dog PC laptops?
Also, I've read several threads dealing with soon-to-be released updates to the PBs. I dont really want to get a $2,500+ laptop if a much better configuration is right around the corner. 1 year away I can live with but too much sooner than that I cant. Realistically, will better PBs be on sale 6 months from now?
I really need a laptop next week so any help would be appreciated.
Specs on the IBM Thinkpad T42 I am intersted in: $2,300 delivered
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 735 1.70GHz, 400Mhz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache
15.0" 1400x1050 resolution
64MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600
512MB RAM
60GB 7,200 RPM harddrive
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
WiFi
Bluetooth
NO Firewire connector (as in there isnt one)
NO DVI connector (as in there isnt one)
I read on several threads that discuss the coming update to the current Powerbooks and several people there complained about the 1280x854 resolution of the Apple 15" PBs being much lower than comparable PC laptops. For example, the IBM Thinkpad I may get has 1400x1050 resolution.
One of my problems is this - I have seen the PBs in person, and I have seen both the old and the new HD Cinema Displays in person. I have also seen the Sony and Samsung 23" or 24" LCD Widescreen displays at the same place as the Apple's. As you know both the Sony and the Samsung promote the same resolution as the Apple 23" HD displays. However, I am here to say WITHOUT A DOUBT that Apple's display is absolutely stunning, while the pictures/displays of the other 2 are absolutely horrible. Both the Sony and Samung were sort of blurry and had a very rough looking, ribbed plastic screen.
I dont understand this at all since at least Sony advertises the same exact specs as Apple's 23". After reading several reviews of smaller LCDs on Tomshardware.com, I learned that specs dont mean a thing. The way the panel was manufactured and who manufactured it plays a very significant factor in the quality of the display.
Ok, so I have absolutely NO chance to see the Thinkpad's screen b4 purchasing it. The PBs screen looks incredible. Is it possible that even with the stated lower resolution that the quality of the Apple panels will make the IBM's panel look terrible thereby eliminating the ability to compare just based on numbers?
I have been a PC user up to this point, and I will build a gaming PC as well as purchase a laptop and an iMac G5. I will use a big CRT for the gaming rig. My major concern is buying the right laptop that I will be happy with for at least a year.
What do u experienced Apple guys think of my display comments? Will the numbers really matter - as in just because the IBM's stated resolutions are higher, will they look better that the PB displays or will the quality of Apple panels dog PC laptops?
Also, I've read several threads dealing with soon-to-be released updates to the PBs. I dont really want to get a $2,500+ laptop if a much better configuration is right around the corner. 1 year away I can live with but too much sooner than that I cant. Realistically, will better PBs be on sale 6 months from now?
I really need a laptop next week so any help would be appreciated.
Specs on the IBM Thinkpad T42 I am intersted in: $2,300 delivered
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 735 1.70GHz, 400Mhz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache
15.0" 1400x1050 resolution
64MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600
512MB RAM
60GB 7,200 RPM harddrive
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
WiFi
Bluetooth
NO Firewire connector (as in there isnt one)
NO DVI connector (as in there isnt one)