Thinkpads Forum

I would love to be able to use my T60 outside but it's impossible to view the screen even if I'm in the shade. I have the LG screen. I have searched the forum but didn't really find an answer so sorry if this has been asked before. I'd put something over it to help, like some kind of screen cover device, if such a thing exists. Thanks.

http://www.hoodmanusa.com/products.asp?dept=1019

I heard about these but haven't tried one.

I'll cobble something together to see if something like that might work (of course it's pouring rain so I can't try today). I did a quick search for "laptop hood" in google and it looks like there are a few options. Thanks for the idea.

It sure ain't pretty - but I've used a cardboard box at times. A VCR box stood on one side with one loose flap under the notebook and the other three stuck together fit my 15" perfectly!

On the other hand, if you don't want to look silly forget the box but keep three things in mind:

1. your position vs the sun:
I get the best result with the sun shining at about 10-20° more than a right angle across the keyboard - left or right up to your personal preference.

2. the backdrop behind you should be dark:
so no sky, water, snow or bright walls.

3. Make sure you've disabled all the brightness reduction options when running on batteries. It took me a couple of days when I got mine to figure out that you apparently had to do this in more than one place.

amy55407 wrote:I would love to be able to use my T60 outside but it's impossible to view the screen even if I'm in the shade. I have the LG screen. I have searched the forum but didn't really find an answer so sorry if this has been asked before. I'd put something over it to help, like some kind of screen cover device, if such a thing exists. Thanks.

Actually, I do quite the opposite!
I am currently using a 14,1" SXGA T41p as my workhorse and outside I simply turn the brightness all the way down and turn the display right into the sun.

Perfect contrast, pretty much like my ancient black & white PalmPilot.

My thinkpad has a Samsung display, in bright sun light even the colors are usable. I want to completely switch off the backlight, but did not find a solution (Samsung notebooks can simply switch off the backlight, they know why...!).
Unfortunately nobody in this forum has answered to my question, a few months ago.

Be careful. I toasted a T40 LCD panel when I used it for several hours in summer sun. Big screen fade.

I purchased a commercial black hood which attaches to the lid via velcro and is easily removed. Payed about $26.00. You end up with a couple of velcro strips running vertically down the outside back surface of the lid. They actually make my T40 thinkpad a little easier to carry vs the smooth lid surface.

Used on a boat for inland waterway navigation in direct and indirect sunlight. Worked perfectly in both conditions though in direct sunlight my head had to be just about in the hood to see the screen. Any number of companies sell these. Well worth it if you do extended viewing in direct or indirect sunlight outside.