IBM's ThinkPad T42 LCD: A Blast from the Past

[w0qj]

I miss my Thinkpad T42
1400x1050 screen resolution, 4:3 aspect ratio

IBM's ThinkPad T42 LCD: A Blast from the Past
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4052/ibms ... m-the-past

[dr_st]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4052/ibms ... m-the-past

They capture pretty well the differences, and areas where the IPS shines even today, despite being 6 years old, at the same time showing that IPS won't automatically give you all the advantages in all the areas.

They also link to a review of the HP Elitebook 8740W with its contemporary IPS panel.

[ZaZ]

Interesting article. The T42 scored pretty well given that it's six years old. I wonder how one with a new screen would have done.

[Troels]

Errhh... I think something is defintely wrong with his LCD. I have never witnessed that low a contrast ratio - and more surprisingly bad black level as his LCD seem to have. I.e. look at this: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=34530

Not sure of his measurement method, but his comment that CR is affected by whether it's glossy or matte tells me he's letting daylight office condition affect his results.

[Norway Pad]

As a future Thinkpad owner, I am concerned about seeing that the T410 gets a very bad score in almost every aspect here.. Somehow the Thinkpads went from having the best LCDs to having the worst.

This is one thing that Apple does very well, as the article also mentions: the iPad has a beautiful display. So the technology is obviously there, and I am surprised it doesn't exist as a high end (and pricey) upgrade option for today's Thinkpad line.

[w0qj]

Well, there are a lot of other Forum Discussions about Thinkpad's matte LCD screen, but as a present T410 owner and T42 owner, may I share my 2 cents:

a) I for one prefer the matte screen, less distracting reflections, especially no reflections from top lights in the ceiling.
I also have installed a SSD in my T410, literally work in all sorts of places like a bumpy bus with my mobile broadband.
Again, I'm grateful that Thinkpads have matte screens in such an environment.

b) The T410 LCD screen is much brighter than my T42; I now can work outdoors in sunny environments.
This is a marked improvement over my T42.
The contrast ratio is sufficient even for occasional 3D gaming.

In short, the T410 (and by extension the Thinkpad line of computers) are optimized for office work, and it can even handle the occasional PC game.

[dr_st]

Perhaps we should merge the threads...
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=92507

[w0qj]

OOPS, sorry for double posting on same topic!

Forum Moderator, pls help to close this thread, let's discuss at dr_st's other thread instead:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=92507

[Harryc]

Perhaps we should merge the threads...

Done

[irus]

sweet stuff