Thinkpads Forum

Ok, I have a t40p, so this was quite a move!

I got a wsxga+ t61 and here are my initial thoughts

* the screen is an LG. To be honest, it isnt that bright and i was quite surprised, it also seems to be a little "blurry or grainy" which surprised me, not quite as pin sharp as the t40p. However, the t40p was really a dull screen, so it is a lot better than that.
* keyboard, now, sadly..it just is no where near the great feel of the t40p. I am not sure what keyboard i have , if it is a NMB or not, but i suspect not looking at it, it doesnt look like quality. it also makes a noise when typing. how can I tell what keyboard it is?
* overall build, seems great, hinge way too stiff.

Overall, happy i never went for the wuxga option, it would have been way to much.

it is an improvement on the t40p, but still, i am not entirely happy.

livejazz wrote:Ok, I have a t40p, so this was quite a move!

I got a wsxga+ t61 and here are my initial thoughts

* the screen is an LG. To be honest, it isnt that bright and i was quite surprised, it also seems to be a little "blurry or grainy" which surprised me, not quite as pin sharp as the t40p. However, the t40p was really a dull screen, so it is a lot better than that.
* keyboard, now, sadly..it just is no where near the great feel of the t40p. I am not sure what keyboard i have , if it is a NMB or not, but i suspect not looking at it, it doesnt look like quality. it also makes a noise when typing. how can I tell what keyboard it is?
* overall build, seems great, hinge way too stiff.

Overall, happy i never went for the wuxga option, it would have been way to much.

it is an improvement on the t40p, but still, i am not entirely happy.

look under the keys and if you see blue pads, you have a nmb, which i doubt cuz you say it is noisy. if you seeplastic things like forward of back slash you have either a chicony or alps

livejazz wrote:snip......* keyboard, now, sadly..it just is no where near the great feel of the t40p. I am not sure what keyboard i have , if it is a NMB or not, but i suspect not looking at it, it doesnt look like quality. it also makes a noise when typing. how can I tell what keyboard it is?.........snip

1. Go to Parts Lookup page and do a search on that Service part number afterwards.

2. RonS did an excellent comparison with pictures of keyboards, I hope you find it helpful.

The keyboard is alps. Useful links. Thanks.

After a few days of use, I can I think reasonably say the keyboard is acceptable, but the screen is pretty awful in fact.

This is surely my last thinkpad after this. OK, it is hard to say objectively how bad, but if i am sitting straight onto the screen all foure corners, especially the top left and right are noticeably darker. If i move my head around it seems unevenly lit, lots of shadows.

I have a 4 year old acer next to this as I type, and it must be 4 or 5 settings duller than that screen! God if the samsumg screen is duller than the LG, pity those.

So there you have it, leveno screwed up IMHO! a loyal customer, paid well over 1000 pounds for a dud screened laptop.

i guess my issue is, why did the reviews i read not highlight this issue.

i dont have the ability to give the laptop back, it was from ebay. maybe i got someone's rejected one, but frankly, i doubt it. i think it is probably normal.

so, to anyone looking for a t61...think very carefully and i suggest you dont bother, the screens are just to dull and generally bad quality.

I really have to disagree. My T61p's screen is gorgeous. No complaints. I think it's more likely you've got a dud, if it's as bad as you say.

It is under warranty right?

Send it in for warranty repair!

It is probably a defective screen or more likely, a defective inverter for the backlight. Make them fix it!!!!! I have read posts by other users who had this same issue and the lenovo repair guys replaced the inverter and it solved the problem, made the screen brighter.

Don't expect miracles though, a lot of the newer laptops have dimmer screens now days. But if it's truly awful and you're not just exaggerating, then it is probably defective and you should be able to get it fixed.

I have the same screen and mine is great, it is pretty bright and looks awesome.

P.S. - I wouldn't buy a laptop on Ebay if I were you. Just my opinion.

My T60 screen isn´t as bright as I would like, and yes I think screen is one of the weakest parts of the Thinkpad series, however I wouldn´t change to another brand because the sum of all specifications factors the TP as the best market option... lol.

livejazz wrote:* the screen is an LG. To be honest, it isnt that bright and i was quite surprised, it also seems to be a little "blurry or grainy" which surprised me, not quite as pin sharp as the t40p. However, the t40p was really a dull screen, so it is a lot better than that.
* keyboard, now, sadly..it just is no where near the great feel of the t40p. I am not sure what keyboard i have , if it is a NMB or not, but i suspect not looking at it, it doesnt look like quality. it also makes a noise when typing. how can I tell what keyboard it is?
* overall build, seems great, hinge way too stiff.

I've been through a T61 with the Samsung screen and now one with the LG screen and I must say I was expecting a somewhat better screen with the LG. Don't get me wrong, the Samsung is definitely worst than the LG but like you said, my LG still looks a bit "blurry or grainy" and the vertical viewing angle is awful when compared with my 3-years old Asus M6N (on 24/7).

As for the keyboard, I have the NMB (with the blue pads) and compared with the keyboard of my Asus M6N, it makes more noise and isn't as smooth as the one in the Asus.

At this point what really bothers me is the screen. I'm giving it a few days to see if I get used to it. If not I'll probably be looking around for alternatives (which is a shame because I *really* like everything in it expect for the screen).

Every day at work I use both my R50p with a 1600 x 1200 IPS UXGA screen side by side with a T61p with a 1920 x 1200 WUXGA non-IPS screen.

I love my T61p and have no SEVERE complaints about the screen. I wish it were an IPS screen, but that is no longer available in a T61 with either UXGA or WUXGA.

Having said that, I love working on the T61p. It is plenty bright and sharp. I only use the 1920 x 1200 for a couple of applications, but they are mission critical to me, so having them is essential. I often use the WUXGA at lower resolution and it works fine for me. I have to be a tiny bit more careful about screen angle and position, but nothing annoying.

I have a Samsung screen on the T61p and a Hybris screen on the R50p.

Your mileage may vary.