Screen: soft or hard?

[blindaba]

Hello everyone!

I'm about to end my first year in college and my Sony Vaio GRX500 from sophomore year in high school is nearly dead. I regret purchasing it and I've been shopping around the net for a new laptop.

I previously had my eye on the HP DV1000 because of the many media features it sports, but it's poorly built. I like that it has a BrightView screen (HDTV quality/type), so I'd like to know what type of screen the TP T series features. I've been looking all over the net for an answer, and I finally decided to ask the real experts.

So, my question is, is the screen the kind that is easily punctured and ruined (like the one on my Vaio), or is it hard and similar to the quality of an HD?

Thank you in advance,
daba

[K. Eng]

Depending on the model, the T series uses either a standard LCD or a more advanced IPS (In Plane Switching, or FlexView) LCD. The IPS display has vastly superior viewing angles, brightness, and color reproduction, but consumes much more power than a regular LCD. The standard LCDs are found on the 14" models, and the IPS displays are found on the 15" models with SXGA+ and higher resolutions.

As far as I can tell, neither has a hard plastic coating on the surface like the BrightView screens do. However, I don't think this matters much in practice. I've had my T40 for almost two years and I've never had a problem with the relatively soft outer coating on the face of the LCD panel.

Now the actual lid of the notebook that contains the LCD is made of sturdy magnesium alloy. IMO it's not as tough as the titanium reinforced CFRP of the base cover, but it's still much much better than standard ABS plastic. I wish IBM had stayed with the CFRP for the LCD lids, but magnesium is apparently stronger per unit mass, although it is less strong overall.

Hello everyone!
...
I'd like to know what type of screen the TP T series features. I've been looking all over the net for an answer, and I finally decided to ask the real experts.

So, my question is, is the screen the kind that is easily punctured and ruined (like the one on my Vaio), or is it hard and similar to the quality of an HD?

[aamsel]

Order a Thinkpad and add Thinkpad Protection (accidental damage coverage) and then you don't have to worry about the screen at all.

Andrew
Austin, TX

...So, my question is, is the screen the kind that is easily punctured and ruined (like the one on my Vaio), or is it hard and similar to the quality of an HD?

Thank you in advance,
daba

[blindaba]

Thanks for your quick responses. I'm sure more uncertainties will arise along the way. Also, it might take a while to purchase a new laptop because I'm still planning finance, so I might be back.

Thank you again,
daba

[daeojkim]

Actually I hear from many people that X-brite screens strain their eyes after long period of use. So if you are in college and plan to spend a lot of time staring at the screen while writing papers or programs I would stay away from it.

[aamsel]

Correct, the anti-glare has been removed from X-brite type screens to produce the advantages of color brilliance and higher contrast.
The disadvantages are glare and eye fatigue.

According to the latest PC Magazine article, Alfred Poor said that the "glossy" screens are better for DVD and picture viewing, but the standard "matte" type LCD's are better for extended time spent surfing or running applications.

(I was happy to see a major PC magazine finally state the disadvantages of the glossy screens, especially since the glossy screens are practically all that you see in the "big box" stores these days.)

Since the Thinkpad is a business-class machine, that is why they use the anti-glare type screens. Even the Flexview screen is anti-glare coated.

Andrew
Austin, TX

Actually I hear from many people that X-brite screens strain their eyes after long period of use. So if you are in college and plan to spend a lot of time staring at the screen while writing papers or programs I would stay away from it.

[blindaba]

daeojkim and aamsel,

My Vaio features a SXGA+ in 16" (not fun to tote around) and I'm at the computer an average of twelve hours a day. Either I've adapted to the screen or my eyes have gotten progressively worse each day. I feel like I need a new pair of eyes, so should I stick with a SXGA+ or downgrade to a XGA? (I'll stick to an XGA*)

Thanks again,
daba

[The Weissman]

I just got my ThinkPad T42 with a 15" FlexView display last week, to replace the A30 I've been using for years. I haven't played with it much, because I've been so busy and there's so many apps I have to move over and I wanted to start with a clean WinXP load. I got through much of that work this weekend, and as far as display quality is concerned, I can tell you this:

Where the A30 display is yellowish, the T42 is white, and brighter. In fact, to my surprise, I'd say the T42's display is every bit as bright as my Dell 2001FP LCD.

I looked at those glossy "X-Brite" displays in stores. I lusted after those at first, but after looking at them more, I decided the reflections in the gloss would be distracting, and that any streakiness resulting from cleaning the glossy surface would also be more distracting, compared to a matte surface.

In the final analysis, for me anyway, the FlexView display is best.

Steve

[blindaba]

I don't know if anyone is curious, but I've decided to go with the 14" XGA. The 1024x768 resolution is more preferable to me because it's easier on my eyes -if you didn't already know; I feel blind.

Thanks to all for your input,
daba