IBM T43 Screen Rub? Is this normal? Prevention?

[Midshipman]

I have owned my new T-43 for maybe... three weeks now, and it is my first laptop ever.

I've noticed some horizonal and vertical marks on my screen that in all honesty appear to be coming from the keyboard when the unit is closed.

Is there a way to prevent this? But more importantly: is this a known issue that I can expect to only get worse? Is this covered under our typical warranty?

If this is not 100% commonplace, I would like to seek a replacement. Or are all units like this? For $2.5K you'd think they could atleast make sure there was adequate clearance between the screen and keyboard...

[K. Eng]

The keymarks occur on almost every 14" T4x I've seen. You can prevent them by placing a dustless cloth between the keyboard and display when the unit is closed.

I don't think the problem will get worse, and it shouldn't damage your panel. I've had my T40 for over two years now and aside from the need for occassional cleaning, it hasn't been a problem.

IMO this minor design problem could have been fixed by using tiny rubber spacers on the LCD housing bezel to prevent the LCD surface from ever contacting the keyboard.

[JHaislet]

I wonder if something like this would help?
http://www.radtech.us/Products/Notebook ... vrzPC.aspx

Also, would the thinnest rubber bumpers they sell be thin enough to still allow the screen to latch closed, yet not allow the keys/trackpoint to hit the LCD?
http://www.radtech.us/Products/Wildeepz.aspx

[Dow Jones]

I have an IBM T42 and I also know several friends with IBM T41s. I can tell you that initially, the marks left by the keys and the trackpoint will be temporary and can be rubbed off. But inevitably, the keys and trackpoint will permanently etch your LCD--especially if you are highly mobile and the laptop spends time closed and in a moving bag, etc.

Not being able to "rub off" the marks even with an LCD cleaning solution is a good indication that it has been etched.

For me, these markings do not affect my screen image. However, they are visible when the laptop is turned off.

My brother's Dell does not have this problem because there are rubber spacers on the edge of his screen.

[JHaislet]

@Dow Jones

I posted a link above to some special laptop rubber spacers. I haven't yet recieved my Thinkpad yet, but am seriously thinking about getting the rubber spacers or the screen sheet protector. Do you think there is enough "play" in the screen & latching mechanism to use the rubber spacers? Or does the screen already close tight enough whereas adding the spacers would break the screen or not allow it to latch?

[sugo]

Also, would the thinnest rubber bumpers they sell be thin enough to still allow the screen to latch closed, yet not allow the keys/trackpoint to hit the LCD?
http://www.radtech.us/Products/Wildeepz.aspx

Holy smoke. $12.95 for a piece of rubber.

[JHaislet]

I think it actually comes as a set of 10, but yeah, it's still a bit high. However, if that works, it beats messing with that screensaver sheet they sell.

Homedepot sells small rubber bumpers for $6 per pack, but I'm afraid they'd be way too big and they'd probably look like crap if you tried to cut them to size.

[Dow Jones]

@Dow Jones

I posted a link above to some special laptop rubber spacers. I haven't yet recieved my Thinkpad yet, but am seriously thinking about getting the rubber spacers or the screen sheet protector. Do you think there is enough "play" in the screen & latching mechanism to use the rubber spacers? Or does the screen already close tight enough whereas adding the spacers would break the screen or not allow it to latch?

I would be cautious with the rubber spacers because an IBM T series' screen's inside edge is not the same on the left side as it is on the right side. I know this sounds hard to picture, but I will do my best to explain. The left side of the screen has an edge about 0.5 inches that will allow you to place the rubber feets there. However, the right side of the screen has a tapered edge that may cause some trouble because it's less than 1/4 inch. If the feets are small enough, they may fit on just the top and bottom edge of the screen.

Another potential problem with the feet is that they may be too thin, or too thick. If they are too thick--like you've already mentioned--the lid won't latch. If they are too thin, i.e. lower in height than the Trackpoint, then there will be no point because the screen will just rest on the Trackpoint instead of on the rubber feet.

I personally do not like the "cloth" product that goes over your keyboard when you close your laptop. Whenever you open your laptop, you have to remove it, and it makes you look anal. Might not be convey the correct image to your associates, clients, etc.

One product that I have tried is a clear screen protector that sticks onto the screen itself. I was unhappy with this product because the adhesive was visible when the screen was on causing an annoying edge around my entire screen.

One product that I have bumped into, but haven't tried is this one.

http://www.nushield.net

This one doesn't use an adhesive, which makes it an attractive alternative.
I think I might order this, and give it a shot.

Good luck!

[JHaislet]

Nice find. I also might be interested in something like that.
I would assume the T42 14.1" listed under the 14" screen section would fit the T43 just fine correct?

[jhonyl]

I share your concern about the LCD panel. However keep in mind that if you would cover the screen with a transparent plastic ... then that transparent plastic would be the one that will get the keyboard and TrackPoint's marks all over it. So you would still have to look at these marks, or clean them. Also keep in mind that the LCD panel already has a protective plastic cover over it. So ... maybe a pro vs. con's list should be made in terms of price and ease of replacement of the plastic. I don't know the cost and ease of replacing the built in plastic, so I tried looking but I didn't get an answer yet, and I am tired now, so ... later. Also keep in mind that putting another plastic over the LCD would undermind the picture quality to some degree.

Night.

PS. In the mean time I put an A4 paper over the keyboard.

[JHaislet]

Maybe I'll just go with either of these. Right now I'm leaning more towards the ShaggyMac as it looks like it covers more of the keyboard area, including the touchpad buttons.

ShaggyMac Screen Protector ($12.95)
http://www.shaggymac.com//index.php?mai ... ucts_id=34

or

Notebook ScreensavRZ ($14.95)
http://www.radtech.us/Products/Notebook ... vRzPC.aspx

[THINKPADSRGREAT]

Thinkpads normally do have sufficient space to leave clearance between keyboard and lcd panel.

I recomend you reseat the keyboard and when doing so make sure the four keyboard screws on the underside are tight on completion. This should fix the
problem.

As for the marks left on the screen. Use a camera lens cleaning cloth. with NO SOLUTION ie rubbing alcohol. They are designed to buff out these types of marks with no aditives.

Hope this helps