Thinkpad 25 triple-screen desk setup with IBM Thinkvision L200p monitors

[dr_st]

My current office setup



The TP25 supports 3 simultaneous display outputs (The T410 without Optimus only supported 2), so I added a third IBM L200p to the existing two, for my first ever triple-monitor desk setup.

The Thinkvision L200p is an IPS UXGA (1600x1200) monitor. These units are probably 13-14 years old, and still hold up impressively well (although obviously lost some brightness which was not so high to begin with). I run them all on 100% brightness to be comfortable (in comparison, my DELL monitors at home are rarely run over 50% brightness). The L200p is not the last 20" UXGA Thinkvision - it was succeeded by the L201p, with a thinner bezel and an improved stand which was less stiff and also supported pivot - but somehow L201p units were much less abundant in the wild - I don't think I've ever seen one in use.

The monitors are all connected to the Ultra Dock:
1. Dock DP (Display Output 1) ⟶ DP-to-DVI dongle ⟶ Monitor DVI
2. Dock DVI (Display Output 2) ⟶ Monitor DVI
3. Dock VGA (Display Output 3) ⟶ Monitor VGA

The dock only has 2 digital video outputs shared between the 4 connectors, so the third output has to be VGA. It is a bit blurrier, which is easy to notice if you are used to 100% sharp digital displays, but it does not affect comfort. I could get a third digital output out of the Thunderbolt or HDMI connectors on the laptop itself, but that would ruin the snap-on docking experience. Out of curiosity, I tried a a 4-display configuration (including the laptop LCD), but I believe this is not supported - Windows would detect all 4 displays, but would only display to 3 of them (any combination).

The keyboard is the IBM/Lenovo Enhanced Performance USB Keyboard. I've been using them almost exclusively for the past 10 years, and I really like them. Wrote about my experience a bit here. The mouse is the popular at one time Logitech MX518. It is very comfortable to me, but the rubberized coating on the sides is wearing off somewhat (after 5.5 years of regular use).

Also pictured: USB 3.0 hub (as there are no conveniently accessible USB ports when the laptop is docked), Rubik's Cube, Rubik's Void Cube, Square-1. No, my desk is not normally this tidy - I cleaned it up for the photo.

[micrex22]

The L200p displays use LG panels internally. You'll note that they have a surprisingly low ghosting rate, making them pretty darn decent for gaming!

LG panels for some reason are designed very well in that regard. I may even like LG over IDtech :p

[Thinkpad4by3]

I like the 2001FP the best. I just find the IBM monitors a bit ugly. The Dell panel is nothing short of amazing, so probably a very similar panel.

Image for reference:


I also see your keyboard has those rare grey keys like my X60s.

[dr_st]

I like the 2001FP the best. I just find the IBM monitors a bit ugly. The Dell panel is nothing short of amazing, so probably a very similar panel.

Yeah, the looks of the L200p are nothing to write home about. As I said, the L201p slightly improved on that, but those monitors are kinda rare.

Almost all IPS panels of that generation were produced by LG (actually LG-Philips). I have a DELL 2007FP myself with an LG-Philis IPS panel, which is more than 10 years old at this point. It still looks great, but is slightly yellower at the right half compared to the left (I don't know if it developed it at some point or whether I just did not notice at first).

I also see your keyboard has those rare grey keys like my X60s.

No, that's just the lighting. Both Enter keys are blue.

The L200p displays use LG panels internally. You'll note that they have a surprisingly low ghosting rate, making them pretty darn decent for gaming!

LG panels for some reason are designed very well in that regard. I may even like LG over IDtech :p

Apparently, not all LG IPS panels are equal. I distinctly remember a huge difference in ghosting between my 2007FP (LG 20" UXGA) and T42's Flexview LCD (LG 15" SXGA+). I think desktop panels have always been ahead of laptop panels in most parameters, ghosting included.

[H-Atkinson]

How well do the backlights in these L200Ps typically age? I'm looking into getting one for a few reasons (mostly to replace a CRT of mine that finally died, but also since its a UXGA monitor that would go nicely with my T601p), but am offput by the idea of buying a 15+ year-old used monitor with a CCFL backlight. Are LED mods a thing for the panel + inverter combo in it?

[dr_st]

Well, the three units I had in this picture were fine at the time it was taken, which was 3 years ago, and the monitors were probably 13-14 years old at that point. Since I didn't have them from day 1, I have no idea how much use they have actually seen. I no longer have them, so I cannot tell you how they are doing now either.

With something so old it's a gamble. You can get a monitor that is in good condition now, but whether it starts experiencing issues after 10 days or after 10 years - no one can be sure.

In regards to LED mods - I am not aware, but you can see if any are available for the DELL monitors mentioned above (2001FP/2007FP). They use similar panels, so perhaps such mods (if they exist) can be compatible.

[unixed]

Unfortunately I missed this post originally, but there's a matrox triplehead2go which has DP input with 3 DVI outputs so you could have 4 digital connections.

[H-Atkinson]

Ended up snagging an L200p locally for 15 USD. I'll post some pics and maybe a teardown once I've picked it up. From the pics, the backlight looked very good.