T60p Widescreen IPS?

[proaudioguy]

Did ANY model T60p 15.4" ever come with an IPS screen? I have a friend that wants to pick one up off lease.

[Neil]

Don't think so. I'm certainly not the authority on IPS screens, but there are no wide screens on this list.

[ajkula66]

Absolutely NOT, although Outlet had at one time errors in listings claiming that certain widescreen units had FlexView screens...

[proaudioguy]

8741-CTO or 8744-C9U
IPS?

[proaudioguy]

OK lets go another route. Which models DO have IPS screens?

[ajkula66]

That could be a list from here to eternity...anything beginning with 2xxx might have an IPS LCD...anything with 19xx or 87xx won't...

There were so many sub-configurations it's not even funny...

[dr_st]

IPS screens are available on the following models and only them:

T60/T60p: ALL 15" non-wide SXGA+ / UXGA screens
T42/T42p/T43/T43p: ALL 15" SXGA+/UXGA screens
R50/R51: ALL 15" SXGA+ screens
A30p/A31p/R50p: ALL 15" UXGA screens
A31: Some 15" SXGA+ screens

If anything is inaccurate, please correct me.

(also Tablets have them, but that is a separate story)

[proaudioguy]

Yea, my A31 and my X60 Tablet both have them and it makes a huge difference although the wacom screen on the tablet takes away from it a bit.

SO with that answer I guess this question is still valid. 2008-CTO? It's a 14.1" model SXGA+ Looks like Bo Hydis was one of 3 possible manufacturers for the 2008. Aren't they they only one that made the IPS screens during that time? How would someone find out, ie do their own investigation? Is there a way to use the serial number or machine ID to cross reference which screen was used?

This is the tough thing about shopping online. If I was standing in front of the machine I could tell instantly by sight and I think my friend could as well.

EDIT: Looking at that chart on Thinkwiki, it appears there was never a 14.1" IPS instlaled in a T60p.

[dr_st]

Is there anything not clear with what I wrote above?

Edit: Well, hopefully it is clearer now.

Hence, if it is 14", it is not IPS.

[underclocker]

Widescreen T60's (which only came in the 15.4" variety) are a fairly nice format if you get a higher resolution model (WSXGA+ or WUXGA) and you work mostly on a desk, not your lap. However, caution is needed when selecting one since the LCD screen quality varied widely. Some can be crisp and bright with a good viewing angle range, while others look dull and darker with pooer viewing angle ranges. You should really see the machine in person or see very good pictures prior to buying one. Note: none of the widescreens approach the quality of an IPS FlexView, I've owned several of each.

[audiogeek]

I'm the friend that's looking for the T60/p. Hi, proaudioguy.

I'm rather new to Thinkpads and this will be my first. Ultimately, I'm looking for the following: the best Core2Duo I can find, discrete video (ATI Mobility FireGL V5250 I think) with 512MB of dedicated RAM and an IPS screen. Other stuff like Bluetooth is fun, but completely non-essential and I can add RAM or replace an HDD if necessary.

So far, I'm coming to the conclusion that I get to choose the proc and graphics that I want or the screen because I haven't found any with all three. Is this true? If so, does anyone know anything about the Samsung ltn154p2-l05 or does its quality vary from laptop to laptop?

Thanks for all your posts so far; you guys are extremely knowledgeable and I appreciate the sharing of that knowledge.

[dr_st]

There do exist some Core 2 Duo T7xxx / V5250 / 15" UXGA IPS T60p models, but they are very rare. Going on 2 out of 3 will make it far easier to find a suitable model.

[underclocker]

Welcome to the forum audiogeek, here's what I know for sure, I've owned two T60p's that had 1) T7600 CPUs, 2) V5250 GPUs, and 3) 15" IPS FlexView SXGA+ LCDs (1400 x 1050).

I haven't seen any T60p's with the T7600, V5250 and UXGA (1600 x 1200), but that doesn't mean they don't exist (as dr_st, indicates above). Also, you didn't mention whether or not you prefer UXGA to SXGA+, both are really nice in FlexViews, but you can easily swap the LCDs. They use the same cable and inverter, I've tested that myself (my third T60p is the one I'm now using, T2600, V5200, 15" UXGA). Most will have Bluetooth.

I suppose a T60p with a T7600, V5250 and UXGA would fall into the ultimate ThinkPad category (at this point in time, anyway).

Alternately, many people with W500/W700's seem to like them (but they are not FlexView).

[audiogeek]

Thanks for the welcome.

Screen resolution really isn't nearly as important to me as contrast, color accuracy and viewing angle as long as I get more than XGA which is pretty easy. I suppose if it came down to it, I'd prefer UXGA to SXGA+ as I don't like the 5:4 aspect ratio quite as much as 4:3. It's sort of like going into a store to buy a camera and asking the guy behind the counter, "which of these models has better image quality?" and he starts spouting off about resolution and megapixels. I know you all know the difference, but that's how I see it; picture quality ≠ pixel count.

As I've heard ProAudioGuy say, "Aim for perfection and then fall back." Having the ultimate Thinkpad was really my goal and if anyone has any leads on where to find one, I'd be most appreciative. Otherwise, I'll probably wait a day or two to hear if anyone else has something to say about it and get the WSXGA+ with the T7600 and V5250 because it seems to be the easiest to find, cheapest option for me right now and it fits the largest number of my criterion.

[Worzyl]

I think your/our best bet is to find something like this:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ry=2007YS3

Which has T7600, V5250. It has the SXGA, but you can just swap that out for UXGA.
Alternatively, you can spend the next month or so scouring the product information list and checking each one:)

[LegendaryKA8]

There do exist some Core 2 Duo T7xxx / V5250 / 15" UXGA IPS T60p models, but they are very rare. Going on 2 out of 3 will make it far easier to find a suitable model.

+1 on that. Based off of the specs you've put down, you've got a good machine lined up. You can still purchase a UXGA LCD or a full lid to put in later... that would give you your best configuration as long as you're comfortable with opening up your T60p(or know someone who does). The IPS screens are awesome, and I know you will be very pleased with it. As far as I can tell, the 15" UXGA T60p with T7xxx and V5250 definitely represents a 'dream Thinkpad' configuration... powerful enough to do most anything you'd really need a business computer to do, as well as providing a very high quality display with copious resolution to get your work done on.

You might be waiting a very good long time to find a maxed out factory configuration to show up on Feebay or your local classifieds... these were very expensive machines when new. As such, it will be much easier to get one as good as you can get and upgrade to your optimal spec. They are definitely worth it, and I won't be getting rid of mine anytime soon.

[audiogeek]

So, just to clarify: I can go ahead and buy this 15.4" widescreen now--that has all of the other features I want--and swap out the whole lid later for a UXGA IPS? I have no problem doing the work, I just want to verify that everything will function and fit properly.

Thanks. You guys are really helpful.

[LegendaryKA8]

So, just to clarify: I can go ahead and buy this 15.4" widescreen now--that has all of the other features I want--and swap out the whole lid later for a UXGA IPS? I have no problem doing the work, I just want to verify that everything will function and fit properly.

Thanks. You guys are really helpful.

Ack... I didn't know you were looking at a widescreen. All Thinkpad IPS displays are non-widescreen. You'll need to purchase a non-widescreen 15" T60p in order to get an IPS display... these screens cannot be put into a wide T60p. However, all standard screen 15" T60p models will be IPS... just SXGA+ or UXGA. Swapping between those two isn't all that hard.

[ajkula66]

@audiogeek:

No, you can't do that. The bases are different between widescreen and standard-aspect T60/p.

What you can do is replace/swap/switch LCDs amongst the units of the same size and aspect ratio.

You could buy a T60 with XGA LCD and throw in a SXGA+.

As for the Samsung LCDs, they're likely the worst of the bunch in any generation of ThinkPads...

[LegendaryKA8]

I did a quick search on Feebay, and found this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-THINKPAD-T60P-2 ... 3ef916e90c

This is probably the closest match I could find right at the moment. It has a T7600, V5200, and an SXGA+ IPS. There is no way to change out the GPU as it's attached to the motherboard, but there isn't much performance difference between the V5200 and V5250. However, this model is a bit pricey, at $800... that's about what I spent for mine, including the V5250 motherboard.

[crazyfrog]

There is an exception. See the pictured evidance here.

[RealBlackStuff]

Not quite sure what you are aiming at with those keyboards...
But what is your MTM?

[Troels]

Not quite sure what you are aiming at with those keyboards...
But what is your MTM?

I second that. I stared at that picture for some minutes until it occured to me that he might mean that lined ud next to each other, they look like one very wide screen ( ). It appears to be 15" LCDs and (at least the first one) are T60ps.

Audiogeek, the SXGA+ is also 4:3 (1400x1050). Agreed on the megapixel analogy, it's a pity that it went this way. But regarding the 5:3 T60/p, i'd recommend waiting for one to appear either in the marketplace on this forum, or one good one to pop up on ebay. Either that, or buy an inexpensive one with 15" XGA, and upgrade the LCD yourself - these can still be bought - although they aren't produced exactly yesterday or even a year ago. At least here Lenovo had some models which came with V5200 or V5250 and Core 2 Duo but with 15" XGA. This was pretty much in the end of the production of the T60p, where they just had to get rid of excess parts.

[proaudioguy]

Either that, or buy an inexpensive one with 15" XGA, and upgrade the LCD yourself - these can still be bought - although they aren't produced exactly yesterday or even a year ago. At least here Lenovo had some models which came with V5200 or V5250 and Core 2 Duo but with 15" XGA. This was pretty much in the end of the production of the T60p, where they just had to get rid of excess parts.

Wow, and XGA T60p....blasphemous! Something you definitely want to correct ASAP.

Too bad the W700's super bright screen isn't an IPS.

[Troels]

Now I recalled (from search) what model it was. 2007-FE2. Some brand it as T60, some as T60p - but it has a V5200 and a 15" XGA. Can't put it any better myself than ajkula66 did: "What a weird duck."

[audiogeek]

Audiogeek, the SXGA+ is also 4:3 (1400x1050).

My bad. I was thinking of SXGA, not SXGA+.

That ebay model is starting to get to be more than I really want to pay, given how much time is left in the auction. I don't mind it if it's worth it, but if I'm also going to be spending a bunch on upgrading the screen...

Now forgive me if I'm being blasphemous, but is it really worth the difference between the model with the widescreen and everything that I want (minus IPS) and the 15" IPS that doesn't quite have the graphics that I want, though only slightly less, but costs a few hundred more? I see that the model that I was looking at before (the widescreen) is down to 575USD and even includes shipping. It's looking like a really good deal now. Most of the time I'd be using this indoors at a theater/church/school or my office. As much as I would really like it and I know no one can answer this for me, is the IPS worth it? Perhaps I should ask, what would you guys do?

[ajkula66]

If I were looking to buy a high-end widescreen T60p, this is where my money would go:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=80475

LCDs, like everything else, are a matter of personal preference...for me, nothing beats a FlexView, but the reality is that there are millions of laptop users who are perfectly happy with standard (and sub-standard) screens...

[Worzyl]

That ebay model in UK pounds - seems reasonable, but the price in shipping at $150 (£90) doesn't seem to cool. I would have to pay 17% extra tax on the model which would be a further £100. Effectively I would be paying a little less than an extra $300 on top of whatever price it would go for.
Unfortunately, it just seems to be the case. There are so many t60p's being sold in the states on ebay, but only within the states. European wise, it's pretty awful.

I would probably have to get them to send it to my cousin in the US (for free) and then get her to do some magic packing of her own to send it to me in the UK. (there was a forum about how to send via USPS to europe for a mere 40 - 50 dollars). That would save me an incredible amount of money on the tax.
Still, it's the cheapest offer I have seen than when I was searching for a t60p on websites.
Wondering whether to wait for another opportunity or go for it. Not to sure how often these t60p specs come up on ebay....

@audiogeek: Are you looking to get WWAN as well?
What would you be using it for? I'll be using a t60p for artwork and animation, so the screen is worth it for me.

[audiogeek]

No, I am not concerned with WWAN at this point. The primary usage is for audio applications; wave recording, editing, playback, sound system analysis and radio frequency coordination. Most of those are pretty light duty, but I hear tell that one of them is going to get a bit more demanding, so that's why I want the faster processor and discrete graphics. None of them really require a high quality screen, that's pretty much just for me:-)

Proaudioguy, can you weigh in on what you think about how SMAART may be affected by my choices now?

[Temetka]

I could be way off base with this so someone correct me if I am wrong.

Didn't lenovo gimp the audio in on the T6x line?