Thinkpads Forum

I am unclear about the differences in quality between the two screens? Seems like I could save $150 on the 14" screen and I currently have a T41p and have been plenty happy with its 14" screen.

The only complaint I have with the 14" screen is that doesn't have a very uniform brightness or color. Sizewise I am fine with it though.

What is the conensus on this? Besides price, and possibly increased weight, are there any downsides to the 15"?

I've read around here that different manufacturers make the 15" screen, how can I know which one I will end up with?

Sorta confused about this...

dxben wrote:I am unclear about the differences in quality between the two screens?

The 15" SXGA+/UXGA screens are IPS screens. The IPS technology gives better colors and removes the distortions when viewing the screen at various angles that's inherent to the regular (TN-type) screens. The 15" screens are also brighter on Lenovo's models (rated 200nits vs 150nits for the 14" screens).

dxben wrote:The only complaint I have with the 14" screen is that doesn't have a very uniform brightness

Probably what you're experiencing are the same color distortions of TN screens. No such thing on IPS.

dxben wrote:What is the conensus on this? Besides price, and possibly increased weight, are there any downsides to the 15"?

Increased footprint. Reduced battery life.

dxben wrote:I've read around here that different manufacturers make the 15" screen, how can I know which one I will end up with?
Sorta confused about this...

On the T60 series, only LG panels are listed for 15" SXGA+ and only Hydis panels are listed for 15" UXGA. 15" XGA might have several different manufacturers, but you probably don't want to go that direction anyway. The XGA screen is not IPS and as such loses the main attraction. I see no reason to go for it (unless very specific demands).

So the 14" screens are all made by the same manufacturer and have the same issues as my T41p? No improvements on these screens?

And which is better, SXGA or UXGA?

dxben wrote:So the 14" screens are all made by the same manufacturer and have the same issues as my T41p? No improvements on these screens?

No, the 14.1" XGA panels are made by Samsung, Hydis, CMO, and TMD. the 14.1" SXGA+ panels are made by Samsung, Hydis, and TMD.

dxben wrote: And which is better, SXGA or UXGA?

I think you meant to say which is better between SXGA+ and UXGA, as SXGA is not offered on any ThinkPad. Anyway, you'll have to rephrase your question more specifically. are you referring to 14.1" SXGA+ vs. 15" UXGA, or 15" SXGA+ vs. 15" UXGA?

try searching other threads - this issue has been re-hashed a million times.

as SXGA is not offered on any ThinkPad.

It was offered on the 770X and Z. 13.7" SXGA screen

SXGA+ is 1400x1050 and UXGA is 1600x1200. If i were getting a 15" model, it would be with a UXGA screen, otherwise i would stick with 14" and SXGA+

dr_st wrote:

dxben wrote:The only complaint I have with the 14" screen is that doesn't have a very uniform brightness

Probably what you're experiencing are the same color distortions of TN screens. No such thing on IPS.

There are screen darkening artifacts on the corners on the 15" IPS screen.

lithium726 wrote:

hoya wrote: as SXGA is not offered on any ThinkPad.

It was offered on the 770X and Z. 13.7" SXGA screen

I was referring to current ThinkPad offerings - notice I used the present tense "is" rather than "was"

hoya wrote:

lithium726 wrote: It was offered on the 770X and Z. 13.7" SXGA screen

I was referring to current ThinkPad offerings - notice I used the present tense "is" rather than "was"

I know, I just felt like being a smartass

pundit wrote:There are screen darkening artifacts on the corners on the 15" IPS screen.

Until you brought it up, I did not think about massaging the corners of the display. I have just completed the procedure on my T60 and the result was simply unbelievable! Now there is only the slightest trace which can only be seen if you know where to look and you must hold up the computer and tilt is forward to even see the trace.
In the normal position on the desk there is no evidence whatsoever.

Thanks for the Idea!
Archer

archer6 wrote:

pundit wrote:There are screen darkening artifacts on the corners on the 15" IPS screen.

Until you brought it up, I did not think about massaging the corners of the display. I have just completed the procedure on my T60 and the result was simply unbelievable! Now there is only the slightest trace which can only be seen if you know where to look and you must hold up the computer and tilt is forward to even see the trace.
In the normal position on the desk there is no evidence whatsoever.

Of course, rubbing and pressing my own screen was the first thing I tried on noticing my issue. I went further and tried to relieve pressure in those regions hoping then it'd go away. I just used my softest fabric I use on my glasses, without wetting it, of course. No dice.

I think it's human instinct to poke and prod and hope things magically fix themselves.

pundit wrote:Of course, rubbing and pressing my own screen was the first thing I tried on noticing my issue. I went further and tried to relieve pressure in those regions hoping then it'd go away. I just used my softest fabric I use on my glasses, without wetting it, of course. No dice.

I found through trial and error, that a lot of patience is required. The amount of time spent with this technique, the higher the success rate. I read that on the web site that gave me this idea. There was a very good explanation there of how this works. But it was the end of the day, I was tired and forgot to bookmark it. Something about moving the emulsion around between the layers of the TFT screen.

Since my last post here I met a client at Starbucks, he had a few pixels that were stuck on his SonyVAIO. So I tried the routine and it fixed his as well ! I truly mean it, if I had not seen it myself, there is no way I would believe this works!
Simply intriguing....

Sounds like even the 15" screens are not perfect?

My question I guess are the 14" screens in the T60p any better than the one in my T41p?

Personally I like the size of the 14 inch screen. The 15 inch setup seemed like larger setup then what I needed. No doubt the 15inch might be better, but it depends on your needs.

dxben wrote:Sounds like even the 15" screens are not perfect?

Nothing is perfect, but all things accounted for they are far better than the 14" screens. The minor artifacts and the occasional stuck pixels won't bother the average user as much as the dimness and color distortions.

dr_st wrote:

dxben wrote:Sounds like even the 15" screens are not perfect?

Nothing is perfect, but all things accounted for they are far better than the 14" screens. The minor artifacts and the occasional stuck pixels won't bother the average user as much as the dimness and color distortions.

So you're saying the 14" is less likely to have stuck pixels than the 15"? Is that just a measure of statistics given the greater number of pixels, or is there a quality issue at play here?

dxben wrote:So you're saying the 14" is less likely to have stuck pixels than the 15"?

No, I'm not saying that.

dr_st wrote:

dxben wrote:Sounds like even the 15" screens are not perfect?

all things accounted for they are far better than the 14" screens

dr_st -

I'm curious, is your statement based on fact? Is there data to back this up? Is this personal opinion?

All my T series ThinkPads are listed below. They represent over 10 years experience of heavy daily usage. Each was purchased new by me.

T20, 21, 22, 23, 30, 40, 42, 42P, 43, 43P, 60
6 of them have 14" Screens
5 of them have 15" Screens
A few minor differences aside they are all quite good.
I have had only ONE with a pixel issue.

Next to my Dell / Sony / HP / Acer / Toshiba / Sharp notebooks, there is no comparison. If you want to be critical of displays, just look at those brands & one will realize that ThinkPad displays are simply outstanding.

If one does some research on TFT display manufacturing, you will find that many are discarded at the final QC, because it's very difficult to produce perfect pixel displays.

Please advise as to the basis of your statement,
Thanks,
Archer

archer6 wrote:

dr_st wrote:all things accounted for they are far better than the 14" screens

dr_st -

I'm curious, is your statement based on fact? Is there data to back this up? Is this personal opinion?

I have seen plenty of TN screens and some IPS ones. No TN screen comes close to an IPS in terms of image quality. The technology is simply superior (which is also why it's so more expensive and used on only a small selection of displays). That's it.

dr_st wrote:Probably what you're experiencing are the same color distortions of TN screens. No such thing on IPS.

Sorry, my mistake, I missed this part (above) of your earlier post. I was thinking that the lattter statement was regards to pixel issues, dark areas & brightness deviations. I agree that there is a significant improvement with the IPS technology.

Archer