Thinkpads Forum

I am interested in some advice on notebook computers with the best LCD screens (new models not used Flexview units) that also have the trackpoint pointing device rather then a touchpad. Since I have had Thinkpads ever since the early 1990's, I am totally addicted to the trackpoint. However, the screens on my last two Thinkpads are horrible with poor viewing angles, harsh contrast, light bleed, and washed out colors. The screens on my old 600E, T40p, and T43p (not Flexviews) are great but nothing I see from Lenovo has a good screen anymore. I went down today to our University Bookstore which had many of the new Lenovo Thinkpads and the screens were all the same, terrible viewing angles and seemed cheap. The build quality and keyboards and everything else about the Thinkpads continue to be great but I cannot understand why Lenovo makes these otherwise solid, well built Thinkpads and then puts lousy screens on them. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I need something better to work on Photoshop during trips in a 14 inch notebook size so it could be easily carried. Thanks.

The options you have with IBM/Lenovo ist the T42p/T43p and T60p 15" Flexview Models with SXGA+ or UXGA.

The other option would be, to make Lenovo listen to your demands as a long term customer.
Give them a call, talk to the local sales persons, let them know that you care about screen quality,
and hope Lenovo will release some models with good screens, sometimes in the future.

It has been discussed here over and over. The only option are older ThinkPads up to T60p. New models, especially X301 and T400s have horrible displays. It is important to voice your opinion to Lenovo representatives.

If you were lucky you could get relatively good (in current desperate situation on notebook market) 15" WSXGA+ TN panel in T500. At least it has proven to have contrast in R61 review http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Len ... 214.0.html

My wife received her new Acer Aspire One netbook today, 1.6 ghz CPU, 160 GB HD, 1 GB RAM. The screen on it is great, so much better then my T61p or the T400 and X301 I looked at a local store a couple of days back. The viewing angles, contrast, and colors on the Acer are much much better then the current Thinkpads. I can look at it from almost directly above or to the extreme sides and it does not fade out like my T61p. This just does not make sense. Here is a $379 retail netbook with a screen incredibly better then the top of the line Thinkpads. What is Lenovo thinking! They make these very well constructed laptops with great keyboards and then put these horrible screens on them. The Acer shows that there are superb screens out there cheap enough to put on a $379 retail laptop and yet Lenovo puts screens with the small viewing angles and washed out colors on their high end Thinkpads.

billj32 wrote:Here is a $379 retail netbook with a screen incredibly better then the top of the line Thinkpads.

This is known problem with no solution for now. Lenovo does not listen. Lenovo does not care.

All build tablets have a rather good display. However there is something put in front of the tablets for the pen / finger (the digitizer?) that makes viewing the display not as good as if it were not there. Still, good displays.

Rather then getting a used Thinkpad with a Flexview screen, I was mainly wondering what other brands of new notebook computers have a trackpoint pointing device and have a good screen. I have given up on getting a new Thinkpad with a good screen in the near future. It looks like screen quality is a low priority with Lenovo even though the rest of the build quality of the Thinkpad T series is certainly good.

I am ready to buy a new laptop and I have used Thinkpads for so many years that I would really like to find one with a Trackpoint rather then just a touchpad. When looking around on the web, it seems that most all just have the touchpad. I certainly do not want another laptop with a screen like my T61p which I use just in a docking station with a Dell 30" monitor because of the poor screen. I am writing this on a non-Flexview T43p which has, at least to my eyes, a great screen with good colors and viewing angles. I would buy a T400s in a heartbeat if it had a screen like either my T40p or T43p but I looked at one the other day and the screen is as bad as my T61p.

billj32 wrote:

Rather then getting a used Thinkpad with a Flexview screen, I was mainly wondering what other brands of new notebook computers have a trackpoint pointing device and have a good screen.

None.

If you're willing to give up trackpoint, Panasonic is likely your best bet IMHO.

I thought corporate versions of Dell and HP laptops still have the trackpoint on the keyboard, although on the HP I find the scrolling a bit awkward.

krayzie wrote:

I thought corporate versions of Dell and HP laptops still have the trackpoint on the keyboard, although on the HP I find the scrolling a bit awkward.

They also have lousy screens...