Not all flexviews are created equal

[MisterB]

I just got another flexview Thinkpad yesterday, a 15" UXGA T60P. After testing out the display and comparing it to the SXGA display in my other 15" T60 and the UXGA display on my T42P that I'm writing this on, I'm noticing some differences. The T60P's display is just a bit more vibrant and the color quality is very close to the flexview displays on my XGA X61Ts. The T42P's display is just a bit more matte and pastel in its color quality and the T60's even more so--to the point that there is a slight color shift. I really notice it on one website I set up with a blue background. It gets a violet tinge on the 15" T60 but is a pastel blue on every other display I've tried it on. I applied the IPS monitor profile and did a color calibration but it is still a bit shifted.

This is interesting. I love the IPS flexview displays but I'm finding that they can be a bit different in displays from different manufacturers and eras.

[ajkula66]

Given your description I'd say that the T60p has a Hydis AFFS LCD where the T42p sports an ID Tech one.

Hydis is more precise, but also colder in my opinion.

Regardless of one's preferences, both panel types are to be treasured when found in good condition.

[MisterB]

Regardless of one's preferences, both panel types are to be treasured when found in good condition.

I agree. The T60P UXGA display is a real gem. UXGA laptops are few and not easy to find. At the moment I have 3, the 2 Thinkpads and one Sony Vaio 16.1" Xbrite monster. I treasure all of them. The T60p is new enough and fast enough for almost anything I want to do. The T42P has been dedicated to forum posting and a few other odd jobs.

[ajkula66]

I agree. The T60P UXGA display is a real gem. UXGA laptops are few and not easy to find. At the moment I have 3, the 2 Thinkpads and one Sony Vaio 16.1" Xbrite monster. I treasure all of them. The T60p is new enough and fast enough for almost anything I want to do. The T42P has been dedicated to forum posting and a few other odd jobs.

You had to count them, didn't you?

I was under the impression that I got rid of most of my UXGA stash.

Sigh.

I was wrong and there's one machine on its way to me as well.

Addictions are one sad thing...

[Adda]

Just be glad you don't feel the same way about Trinitron monitors
They make these wonderful IPS screens look pretty incompetant.

Oh well, all I need in my UXGA IPS ThinkPad collection is an R50p to put T43p hardware in to, my brother has my old R50p (perfect screen), he wants a new laptop, but he sure is taking his time (years!)

[MisterB]

You had to count them, didn't you?

I was under the impression that I got rid of most of my UXGA stash.

Sigh.

I was wrong and there's one machine on its way to me as well.

Addictions are one sad thing...

Hardware addiction has one advantage compared to consumable addictions like tobacco and alcohol: You can always sell what you bought and get your money out of it. Then you can buy more hardware.

More like investing money instead of wasting it.

[ajkula66]

Just be glad you don't feel the same way about Trinitron monitors
They make these wonderful IPS screens look pretty incompetant.

Trinitrons are gorgeous. In my old life - long before I stumbled upon ThinkPads - Sony Trinitron 21" TV was in my living room, along with assorted audio goodies...

Hardware addiction has one advantage compared to consumable addictions like tobacco and alcohol: You can always sell what you bought and get your money out of it. Then you can buy more hardware.

More like investing money instead of wasting it.

Well...having been a rather heavy smoker for the past 36 years I really don't want to think about how many cars, guitars - let alone ThinkPads - I've inhaled over the given time period...

[600X]

My favorite screen is the SXGA+ from the T60. (LG IPS) It has the warmest and most natural colors. It's also the perfect resolution on that screen size for me. The IDTech UXGA from my A31p doesn't impress me, it doesn't nearly cover the sRGB color space. Neither do any of the 12" FlexViews.

[ajkula66]

My favorite screen is the SXGA+ from the T60. (LG IPS) It has the warmest and most natural colors.

I'll agree with the "natural colours" part.

The IDTech UXGA from my A31p doesn't impress me, it doesn't nearly cover the sRGB color space.

None of the old FlexViews fare well in this respect. I like the old DBU/ID Tech panels as seen in A3*p because they're incredibly easy on the eyes.

Neither do any of the 12" FlexViews.

You don't like the SXGA+ panel found on X60T? It's likely my second favourite...

[600X]

I never said I didn't like it, but color space is just an important factor to me. I was only able to experience the X60T SXGA+ for short periods of time, so I can't really say much more about it.

But I can agree that the A31p IDTech is easy on the eyes. Despite the resolution.

[ZaZ]

Well, a 15" UXGA LCD has a pretty mellow 133 pixel density. My 14" FHD is 157 and hard on the eyes during extended usage.

[ajkula66]

My 14" FHD is 157 and hard on the eyes during extended usage.

14" FHD is likely the upper limit I could possibly tolerate on a daily basis. The fact that these LCDs are LED-lit doesn't help the eyes IMO. Whatsoever.

[pianowizard]

My 14" FHD is 157 and hard on the eyes during extended usage.

My 28" 3840x2160 desktop monitor has the exact same pixel density as your 14" 1920x1080 (157.35 DPI) because it's essentially your screen times four. On this computer, I am using Windows 7 at its native scaling. For laptops I am reasonably comfortable with up to 165-ish (e.g. my Sony Pro13), but because desktop monitors are viewed at significantly greater distances, this 28-incher is really equivalent to a Retina-resolution laptop. It's kind of painful, though I appreciate having so much real estate without sacrificing a ton of desk space.

14" FHD is likely the upper limit I could possibly tolerate on a daily basis. The fact that these LCDs are LED-lit doesn't help the eyes IMO. Whatsoever.

At one point HP was pushing for 14.5" 16:9 laptops (with either 1366x768 or 1600x900), but unfortunately that form factor didn't catch on. 14.5" FHD would been an excellent balance between portability and comfortable pixel density (151.9 DPI). Instead, 14.0" was embraced.

I also wish 14.1" 1680x1050 had been available, which would have given us a very relaxing 140.5 DPI.

[MisterB]

I find that the bigger the display, the better high resolution works for me. SXGA is ok on a 14" display but much better on a 15". On my Vaio 16.1" it is even better. UXGA at less than 15 inches would be torture. I prefer XGA on a 12.1 inch display--I had a SXGA display for my X61T but I ended up selling it. I preferred multitouch and XGA for that screen size.

[ajkula66]

I also wish 14.1" 1680x1050 had been available, which would have given us a very relaxing 140.5 DPI.

Same here. Those 150 pixels when going from 900 to 1050 make a huge difference in some of my usage patterns.

I preferred multitouch and XGA for that screen size.

I never touch any of my laptop screens which just shows you how diverse one's needs are when it comes to this type of stuff...

[pianowizard]

I never touch any of my laptop screens which just shows you how diverse one's needs are when it comes to this type of stuff...

Consider yourself lucky. After getting used to touching my Sony Pro13 and more recently my HP x2, I have found myself constantly touching non-touchscreens out of habit. Now I often feel crippled when I can only use a mouse/touchpad/trackpoint. It's analogous to finding 1024x768 restrictive after experiencing higher resolutions.

I find that the bigger the display, the better high resolution works for me.

It's the same for everyone. All of us find 1024x768 easier to view than 1400x1050 on 12.1", but some of us want to see more information on the screen, and so we are willing to sacrifice viewing comfort to some extent and crank up the resolution. BTW, "SXGA" means 1280x1024, and many desktop monitors and some laptops do use this resolution. Refer to 1400x1050 as "SXGA+" to avoid causing any confusion.

[MisterB]

Consider yourself lucky. After getting used to touching my Sony Pro13 and more recently my HP x2, I have found myself constantly touching non-touchscreens out of habit. Now I often feel crippled when I can only use a mouse/touchpad/trackpoint. It's analogous to finding 1024x768 restrictive after experiencing higher resolutions.


"SXGA" means 1280x1024, and many desktop monitors and some laptops do use this resolution. Refer to 1400x1050 as "SXGA+" to avoid causing any confusion.

My first Thinkpad was a 13.7" SXGA 770X. It is a bit hard on my eyes these days but my eyes were a bit younger when I was actively using it. I'd forgotten about the plus sign in 1400x1050. It is a bit of an oddball resolution. It is common in 4:3 Thinkpads but I've never had an external monitor in that resolution. I did have a 19" UXGA LCD monitor at one time. Right now I've got a couple of 15" XGA LCD monitors and one SXGA 17".

I found the multi touch really cool because there are times I just want to click on an icon without having to take the stylus out. It is not as precise as the stylus and in not nearly as responsive as the touch screen on my Android tablet but it is a nice feature.

[pianowizard]

I'd forgotten about the plus sign in 1400x1050. It is a bit of an oddball resolution. It is common in 4:3 Thinkpads but I've never had an external monitor in that resolution.

Not just Thinkpads but all other brands had 1400x1050 laptops as well, on 12.1", 14.1" and 15.0" screens.

ViewSonic had a 20" SXGA+ desktop monitor.

I did have a 19" UXGA LCD monitor at one time.

Wow, I have never heard of such an animal. Are you sure it wasn't 20"? Do you remember what model it was?

[MisterB]

I did have a 19" UXGA LCD monitor at one time.

Wow, I have never heard of such an animal. Are you sure it wasn't 20"? Do you remember what model it was?

NEC MultiSync 2080UX+. Found it in my eBay records. First reply corrected. It was 20" It was big and heavy and burned a lot of watts. I couldn't find anyplace it would fit comfortably in my workspace and put it on eBay after fooling around with it for a month.