Thinkpads Forum

This is very exciting, I think. With so many devoted ThinkPad fans and users regularly wishing that Lenovo would improve on the display screens and possibly introduce a glossy screen option.

Well, it's here (or coming soon?). Maybe I'm not telling you anything you already didn't know, but I saw a glossy screen on a Lenovo ThinkPad R61i 15.4" today. And it was fantastic, the screen. I was at a local Office Depot store today when I saw this new model ThinkPad.

The screen looked like those glossy screens you'd find on a Lenovo 3000 (i.e., N100 15.4"). It had that high gloss mirror effect where it reflected your image and ceiling lights (disadvantage). The color was brilliant and sharp, viewing angles were great (IMO), image quality was very nice as you'd expect from a glossy screen. Like I said, just imagine a Lenovo 3000 N100 screen on a 15.4" ThinkPad.

Another interesting thing about this R61i 15.4" was that it had an NMB keyboard. I could see those blue round rubber things under the keys (not sure what this part is called). I even lift one key off to confirm what I was seeing. Is this type of keyboard rare? Or is this simply the new version of the NMB keyboard? I know there's a review on this forum with pictures outlining the different types of ThinkPad keyboards, so if you find it you'll know what I'm talking about in regards to blue round rubber things under the keys.

Here's the information for the display model ThinkPad that I saw:

Lenovo ThinkPad R61i 15.4" WXGA (8932-A17 ser no. L3B9446)
Link to Office Depot

Here's some parts lookup information for this particular model:

42T0467 42T0468 15.4 INCH LCD DISPLAY FRU
42T3109 42T3143 KEYBOARD FRU

Keyboard service part number 42T3143 corresponds to manufacturer NMB. But I couldn't find out anything about the LCD manufacturer. Can anybody figure it out? It was definitely a glossy screen.

I hope this post stays here in the T6x forum because although the information I'm reporting came from a ThinkPad R61i 15.4", I think it represents two of the most talked about, wished for, hope to be, aspects of the T6x series.

Would love to hear your thoughts and insights. Personally, I can't wait to see a glossy screen option on the T6x series 14.1" notebooks (brighter, sharper, more vibrant colors, etc., it would be great).

Vert.E.Gogh wrote:It had that high gloss mirror effect where it reflected your image and ceiling lights (disadvantage).

A massive disadvantage for my use!

Cheers,

Bill B.

I got a glossy "mod" done on my new T61 for $100. Give ScreenTek a call. It's everything you say it is... on a T61 14.1" 1440x900 LCD.

glossy displays are just stupid.

I think that when people talk about wanting more and exciting screen options on their ThinkPads, they are talking about different display technology. "Glossy" isn't a different LCD technology, it's simply a different coating on the front of the screen. It might help a tad with viewing angles (maybe), but it's not going to help with color reproduction accuracy, nor is it going to solve the viewing angle problem to the extent that other LCD technologies can.

Behind the "gloss," it's still a twisted-nematic LCD with a CCFL backlight. The gloss isn't going to change that.

I want to see a high-density (150dpi+) display with some FFS (fringe-field switching) LCD action combined with nice bright, evenly-distributed LED backlighting. Oh, and no glossy coating. Now THAT would be a display worth raving about.

-- Nathan

NathanA wrote:I want to see a high-density (150dpi+) display with some FFS (fringe-field switching) LCD action combined with nice bright, evenly-distributed LED backlighting. Oh, and no glossy coating. Now THAT would be a display worth raving about.

I'd like the same, minus the 150DPI+. It's not really usable for general work.

With the dissapearance of the 4:3 format in sight within the next maybe 6/7 months, I hope this isn't the begining of the end for matt displays. It will be too many trend changes too soon for me to handle.
And please don't somebody tell me the trackpoint is the next victim that would put me over the edge.

In other words; I don't like wide, but accept I will have to adapt someday, and I HATE glossy screens

Just wondering, why are you selling the T61P??

kernelpanic wrote:Just wondering, why are you selling the T61P??

a) I can't get on with the widescreen. (No complaints with the screen quality or resolution). I find I'm always having to re-size windows or move my head from side to side when reading. I'm not a tennis fan either
b) Although it's pretty solid, it "creaks" a bit. I haven't taken it apart, but I get the feeling the "rollcage" is the same size as the 14" 4:3 with a little extra plastic. (Maybe I'll take a closer look).
c) I quite often carry my T43 and T23 around, the weight difference carrying the T43 and T61p 15,4W is very noticable.

Basically, just not my "thing". I just don't feel comfortable working with it.

just say no to glare...

NathanA wrote:I think that when people talk about wanting more and exciting screen options on their ThinkPads, they are talking about different display technology. "Glossy" isn't a different LCD technology, it's simply a different coating on the front of the screen. It might help a tad with viewing angles (maybe), but it's not going to help with color reproduction accuracy, nor is it going to solve the viewing angle problem to the extent that other LCD technologies can.

Behind the "gloss," it's still a twisted-nematic LCD with a CCFL backlight. The gloss isn't going to change that.

To what extent is the display technology in a Lenovo 3000 N100 15.4" glossy widescreen different from, say, a T61 15.4" widescreen matte display? Are they the same LCD technology with the only difference being the glossy coating on the 3000 N100 while the T61 is matte? If so, then the glossy coating is pretty incredible since it makes the 3000 N100 look brighter, sharper, and more vibrant colors compared to a matte T61, IMO.

The LCD service part number for the R61i I saw was 42T0467 42T0468 15.4 INCH LCD DISPLAY FRU. I don't know if this is same type of screen as those on 3000 N100s but it looked very similar to my eyes. And I would think that it makes sense for Lenovo to use a screen that they are already using in their other product line instead of sourcing a new one. Can anybody figure out if the FRU is the same type of screen as those on T61 but only with a glossy coating?

I agree with others that the glare from the glossy coating is bad. I think the "glossy" look on a MacBook Pro display is better, it looks matte to me. (I know that the MacBook Pro uses a different display technology, I'm simply referring to their "glossy" coating here) I hope Lenovo can figure out something similar if/when they put glossy screens into all ThinkPads.

If matte, 4:3 and SXGA+ are no longer options on a 14"... in combination with everything else... then this T60 will be my last Thinkpad. Sorry, but this is just getting horrendously gay and stupid. The keyboard is still so-so, not as good as it used to be though. The lenovo software is all crap without exception. GREAT MOVE HERE by selling out to Lenovo, a company that can't make a laptop to save their own life (look at their own line of "computers")

This is a business laptop, I use it for business. Glossy screens do not function well at all in the environments I am in. Widescreen is also not something that most of my clients will accept for a presentation. I travel a lot and would love to go to a 12" if they were anywhere as close to as good as the T series, so I go with a 14".

We are quickly reaching the stage where the purpose of this laptop is completely lost. This is not a movie-watching or gaming laptop, this is a business laptop. If matte is gone, then so am I and so are quite a few other business customers here.

I would also like to add:
!^%#*&! Lenovo for destroying a brand that actually was good. Hooray for the rise of China and it's cheap defective crap.

ADMIN EDIT: no cursing allowed! do it again and your post will be deleted. a 3rd time and your membership will be deleted.

laowai wrote:I would also like to add:
F*** Lenovo for destroying a brand that actually was good. Hooray for the rise of China and it's cheap defective crap.

Language and comments like these are not appropriate for this forum. If you can't follow the Rules, comp.sys.laptops is thataway ->

Well it seems that I got one of the last flexviews and I am happy with it. I also don´t like the trend to the widescreens, I can´t see any advantage.

strohscw wrote:Well it seems that I got one of the last flexviews and I am happy with it. I also don´t like the trend to the widescreens, I can´t see any advantage.

How do you work out your LCD part number to check whether it is flexview or not. I may swap back from UXGA to SXGA+ as 15'' laptop seems not to be a good idea for carrying around Uni.
T61p SXGA+ screen is flexview, isnt it?

as far as I know, there was no "non-flexview" 15" t60p.

casperkid wrote:How do you work out your LCD part number to check whether it is flexview or not. I may swap back from UXGA to SXGA+ as 15'' laptop seems not to be a good idea for carrying around Uni. T61p SXGA+ screen is flexview, isnt it?

Make yourself familiar with screen availability through LCDs on T60/T60p - types, availability and other discussions sticky thread.

andyP wrote:And please don't somebody tell me the trackpoint is the next victim that would put me over the edge.

This would put many people over the edge, including me. Fortunately, it will never happen, because (a) the trackpoint is _the_ trademark of the Thinkpad and (b) it is a proprietary Lenovo/IBM design, unlike the screens, where Lenovo basically depends on the panel suppliers, which follow the general (sad) trends, e.g., the disappearance of Flexview and likely disappearance of 4:3 screens in general.

andyP wrote:a) I can't get on with the widescreen. (No complaints with the screen quality or resolution). I find I'm always having to re-size windows or move my head from side to side when reading. I'm not a tennis fan either

Yeah, lots of guys at my work received 14" widescreen T61s and can't stop complaining about the short screen.

andyP wrote:b) Although it's pretty solid, it "creaks" a bit. I haven't taken it apart, but I get the feeling the "rollcage" is the same size as the 14" 4:3 with a little extra plastic. (Maybe I'll take a closer look).

I saw a couple of 15.4" wide T61s and R61s, and compared to my 15" T42 and 14" T60, they feel big, plasticky, clumsy, and basically look as if somebody carved them with a hatchet. Even the Lenovo 3000 N100 looks nicer in comparison. The 14" (regular and wide) models still look and feel alright.

andyP wrote:c) I quite often carry my T43 and T23 around, the weight difference carrying the T43 and T61p 15,4W is very noticable.

You have it right there. 15.4" wide really isn't good for anything besides being a multimedia desktop replacement.

dr_st wrote:
I saw a couple of 15.4" wide T61s and R61s, and compared to my 15" T42 and 14" T60, they feel big, plasticky, clumsy, and basically look as if somebody carved them with a hatchet. Even the Lenovo 3000 N100 looks nicer in comparison. The 14" (regular and wide) models still look and feel alright.

andyP wrote:c) I quite often carry my T43 and T23 around, the weight difference carrying the T43 and T61p 15,4W is very noticable.

You have it right there. 15.4" wide really isn't good for anything besides being a multimedia desktop replacement.

I've also seen 15.4" T61's and I also think that they have awkward physical dimensions. To me, the length is too wide while the depth is too short, which gives it a disproportionate look. It reminds me of a 15.4" Z-series ThinkPad with that truncated look. And the weight, oh, it's just way too heavy for my taste.

You're right about the 15.4" being good as a desktop replacement multimedia unit primarily. My size limit is 14.1" widescreen, 13.3" would be my perfect choice but, alas, there is no 13.3" ThinkPad. The 12.1" X-series, now that's a winner. I hope Lenovo improves the screen on that series and keep it at 4:3 instead of going widescreen, as suggested/wished for by people on the X62 wish list.

One of the main reasons I bought a T61P was because of the matte screen.

I use my laptop outside sometimes, and a glossy screen is virtually unuseable outside.