• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

T60 14.1" screen question

U

us3rnotfound

Diamond Member
Is the 14.1" sxga screen for the T60 better than the T4X's 14.1" screens? Or is it the same, dull, bad viewing angle screen?
 
Slightly better. The T43 and newer models got a bit better SXGA+ panel to my knowledge; a little brighter, more vibrant. Not a huge difference though
 
Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Slightly better. The T43 and newer models got a bit better SXGA+ panel to my knowledge; a little brighter, more vibrant. Not a huge difference though
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I would like to ask another slightly unrelated question. Is 1600x1200 on a 15" too much? I think the answer is obvious, but just wanted your opinion, since you seem to know IBM thinkpads.

I'm stuck between two laptops, one which is a T60 14.1" and the other a T43 15", both which carry 1400x1050 res. I plan to watch movies on it and the occasional computer game and most of all internet browsing, so which would you prefer?
 
Have you used 1400x1050 or 1600x1200 on a laptop before?

I've seen 1600x1200 before and used 1920x1200 (widescreen); personally it is nice, but I wouldn't want to stare at it for long periods of time I don't think. If you had to read lots of text, it might be a problem. However if you do a lot of photo editing or working with large objects (say CAD or something), UXGA would probably be worthwhile.

My T42 is a 15" SXGA+ and I think it is almost a perfect resolution; not too small, not too large. I edit large photos pretty comfortably on it, but hardcore photo editors/graphics related work will probly appreciate the UXGA.

The 14" will feel much lighter in your hand, but the 15" screen is a godsend. If you don't need to take the laptop out in small spaces, the 15" is the way to go IMO.
 
Apparently Lenovo is currently using three SXGA+ panels in their 14" notebooks, rated at 150 nits, 170 nits, and 200 nits. I haven't figured out which one I have yet, but it seems a little brighter (maybe) than the one on my old T41. However, I really liked the screen on that laptop too. I haven't had any brightness issues.

One thing that happens on Thinkpads by default is that the maximum brightness is auto-dimmed when the laptop goes on battery. Some people don't realize that you can disable this, although of course it reduces battery life a bit. Disabling this feature still allows manual adjustment of the screen brightness, and you can still set the brightness in power management.

I love the SXGA+ resolution at either 14" or 15" sizes. I had an old Inspiron with a 15" UXGA screen, and felt that it caused eye strain.

I don't know if it's improved, but my screen doesn't have bad viewing angles. It just can't be viewed easily from the side, top, etc. I don't view this as a drawback because I don't share the screen with anyone, although of course it would be great to improve the viewing angles if it didn't hurt battery life.

FWIW I do photo editing on my 14" SXGA+ panel with no problems. You always have to zoom in and out anyway if you want to view an image at 100%; UXGA only comes close to being able to represent a 2MP full-sized image.

I have used a FlexView screen, and it was awesome, brilliant. If I could get it in 14" or smaller without the extra power drain, I would. However, I need my machine to have a good mix of features: power, portability, ease of use, etc. From that perspective I prefer my current screen over, for instance, my Inspiron 8200's UltraSharp UXGA. In general I can't stand glossy screens for daily use.
 
I just did a parts lookup, and apparently the panel in my T60 is a 200-nit TMD panel. My T41 had a 150-nit panel. That probably explains why it feels brighter. Unfortunately, I don't think you can predict which panel you'll get when you order. I'm considering buying another T60 for my wife... hope I get another one just like this one.
 
Curious, how do you do a parts lookup for your panel? It's not via Thinkpad Config or Device Manager is it? I'd like to find out how bright my panel on my T60 is.
 
Originally posted by: Ionizer86
Curious, how do you do a parts lookup for your panel? It's not via Thinkpad Config or Device Manager is it? I'd like to find out how bright my panel on my T60 is.
Click to expand...

You might find this site and thread interesting:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=22764

First, go here to auto-detect the parts in your Thinkpad:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/partslookup/partsLookup.vm
Leave this window open.

Next, go here and select the parts you want to look at. Match up the numbers to figure out what you've got.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site....estyle=lenovo&lndocid=TPAD-FRU#Tseries

I believe the TMD one is 200 nits (just based on what I've read), and the Hydis one is rated at 170 nits but is reputedly just as bright.
 
Hmm, Samsung screen, NMB keyboard, Fujitsu HDD, Panasonic battery. So my panel is the dimmest 150 nit one, but my keyboard is coveted by the folks at thinkpad forums? Any other parts of interest on the T60?
 
Originally posted by: Ionizer86
Hmm, Samsung screen, NMB keyboard, Fujitsu HDD, Panasonic battery. So my panel is the dimmest 150 nit one, but my keyboard is coveted by the folks at thinkpad forums? Any other parts of interest on the T60?
Click to expand...

FWIW some people say they prefer the Samsung panel, and I think that the nit ratings are a bit like horsepower ratings on cars, just a ballpark in some cases.

I didn't check my battery, but have read that the Sony is preferable. In my opinion it doesn't amount to a hill of beans; some people obsess over this stuff to the point of returning their laptop.

I was mostly just thrilled to get a perfect panel, with no stuck/dead pixels. After that I was just curious. I wouldn't have called the panel on my old T41 crappy; it was very nice too.

Have you noticed the single "stuck" pixel, which if you mouse over it pops up a tiny scrollbar? You can fix that IIRC by disabling either the trackpoint or the touchpad.
 
I don't have any stuck/dead pixels, but I noticed the single stuck pixel if I do some scrolling. Very odd, but I still think I'm keeping both inputs on:

I was wondering how to enable different types of scrolling on the trackpoint and touchpad. It didn't work until I updated my Ultranav wizard to the latest wizard. Now I have it setup to "no scrolling" on the trackpoint, allowing for a middle button / the regular smooth scrolling. This is useful for opening / closing new tabs in FF and for scrolling in the web browser.

Thankfully I can keep scroll zones on for the touchpad, allowing for scrolling within Windows, Eclipse, and other programs which don't do smooth scrolling. All bases covered, except for the minor nuisance of the pixel!
 
Originally posted by: us3rnotfound
Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Slightly better. The T43 and newer models got a bit better SXGA+ panel to my knowledge; a little brighter, more vibrant. Not a huge difference though
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I would like to ask another slightly unrelated question. Is 1600x1200 on a 15" too much? I think the answer is obvious, but just wanted your opinion, since you seem to know IBM thinkpads.

I'm stuck between two laptops, one which is a T60 14.1" and the other a T43 15", both which carry 1400x1050 res. I plan to watch movies on it and the occasional computer game and most of all internet browsing, so which would you prefer?
Click to expand...

I have a 14" T43 and my work provides me a 15" T43. The 14" is 1400x1050 and the 15" is 1600x1200. I personally like both at their respective resolutions. However, I generally prefer higher resolutions when possible. If your vision is good, I would not hesitate to recommend getting a 1600x1200 display. Go take a look at a screen in person if possible (doesn't have to be IBM, just a 15" 1600x1200) to determine if it's comfortable for you.

Also consider, however, that getting a 15" with 1400x1050 will net you the same effective desktop space as a 14" with 1400x1050 resolution. So you're just adding weight and size without getting a increase in working space benefit.
 
Originally posted by: esun
Also consider, however, that getting a 15" with 1400x1050 will net you the same effective desktop space as a 14" with 1400x1050 resolution. So you're just adding weight and size without getting a increase in working space benefit.
Click to expand...
This is true, but you are adding FlexView over the 14". For those who don't want UXGA, this may be a worthwhile benefit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top