"New" T60p dissatisfaction. Justified?

[Asudef]

I was excited to have finally landed a 4:3 T60p which came today but I'm a bit disappointed to be honest and I don't know if it's a problem with me or the laptop.

Firstly, the screen is thicker and heavier and the case looks different than my 15.4 T60p, the screen is also a bit dimmer which I expected to deal with.

Second, when I look side to side, the screen colors change at about 45º the colors turn cooler, for example, the stock Windows beige turns into a cooler bluish grey. When I look up and down the contrast goes down and the screen darkens a bit.

Third, and the most disappointing, the screen gets very choppy when scrolling where my 15.4 would be smooth, even when dragging windows around it is choppy. I've read response was bad but is it this bad?

When I read about the screen being amazing, it definitely doesn't live up to that hype. I mean the angles are really good and colors don't invert when looking vertically but horizontally, it performs about the same. My question is, how can I figure out which screen I have and are these normal for the Flexview IPS screens? Especially the choppy issue.

Also, how much more battery do these screens use? It came with a 9 cell with 136 cycles and held an approximate 3.5-3 hr charge. Is this good? Bad? Average?

I'm not knocking the screen, I really do want to like it. In fact, I love my 15.4 but perhaps I'm a little miffed about the not so "Excellent Condition" it was advertised as.

[pianowizard]

Would you mind giving us the URL of the eBay auction so we that look at the specs and photos?

Third, and the most disappointing, the screen gets very choppy when scrolling where my 15.4 would be smooth, even when dragging windows around it is choppy. I've read response was bad but is it this bad?

I don't think this is normal.

[Neil]

the screen gets very choppy when scrolling

Is the proper graphics driver installed, or is it using the Standard Windows VGA driver? I don't know how the screen could become "choppy" on it's own. That would seem to be from a lack of acceleration.

[Asudef]

I don't know how to link the ebay auction but this is the auction ID: 130463210316

After looking it over again the screen bezel definitely looks like it's been pried open/reinstalled improperly as is the bottom chassis. I think I'm going to try to get my money back on this instead and hope everything goes smooth.

I also noticed that the T60p looks different, the speakers are in the front and face at a downward angle vs the ones by the hinges on my 15.4. I'll try to get a picture up to note the differences as well as the screen comparisons.

Playing a 720p video also shows the colors being reduced to an almost 16bit look and about 5fps. I did think about updating the graphics driver but only after the return falls through.

[91011]

The listing has a major error which should allow you some leverage with the seller/ebay/paypal.
The LCD is described as SXGA 1600 x 1200. There is no such LCD.
In a 15" T60p it could be either a SXGA+ 1400 x 1050 or UXGA 1600 x 1200. Both are Flexview panels.

You should check the product number (something like 2007-93U) at Lenovo to see how it left the factory:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... yle=lenovo

It does sound as if no ATI driver is installed. But the viewing angle problem along with the opened LCD lid might indicate the original Flexview LCD was replaced with a lesser panel.

The speakers are correct for a 4x3 T60p.

[pianowizard]

I don't know how to link the ebay auction but this is the auction ID: 130463210316

I am looking at the auction now, which explains a few things. First, at first I found it strange that you kept saying that this T60p "looks different" from your 15.4" version -- of course they should be very different! But now I understand why: the seller used a stock photo of a 15.4" T6*, which probably made you expect it to look similar to your widescreen T60p.

Second, the auction description isn't clear about the resolution. Twice, it says "SXGA (1600x1200)". So, is it 1400x1050 (which is actually SXGA+) or 1600x1200? Which resolution does yours have? And which one was this laptop installed with originally? Unless this is a CTO model, you can use the 7-character product code to look up the original specs on Lenovo.com. If it's a CTO model, you will need to enter the serial number as well, on this site.

Finally, this seller's feedback history is only 98% positive, which is far from good. That explains the dishonest "excellent condition" statement.

VERY IMPORTANT: Do *not* leave a negative feedback for this seller yet. If you do so prematurely, there would be no incentive for him/her to remedy the problems.

[dr_st]

After looking it over again the screen bezel definitely looks like it's been pried open/reinstalled improperly as is the bottom chassis.

Could you post some pictures?

I also noticed that the T60p looks different, the speakers are in the front and face at a downward angle vs the ones by the hinges on my 15.4. I'll try to get a picture up to note the differences as well as the screen comparisons.

As pianowizard said - of course they look different. 15.4" wide and 15.0" standard are very different machines as far the chassis goes.

I did think about updating the graphics driver but only after the return falls through.

If you'd rather return it for other reasons (e.g., condition not as described etc.), that's one thing. But please don't tell me that you want to return it just because a graphics driver is not installed (which is a software only issue and can be fixed in about 10 minutes).

The listing has a major error which should allow you some leverage with the seller/ebay/paypal.
The LCD is described as SXGA 1600 x 1200. There is no such LCD.
In a 15" T60p it could be either a SXGA+ 1400 x 1050 or UXGA 1600 x 1200. Both are Flexview panels.

Oh, come on. Major error that the seller does not know the technical mumbo-jumbo that describes 1600x1200 as UXGA and not as SXGA? If you stick to such nitpicking, 99% of the auctions on eBay will be flawed.

Numbers are what counts, and numbers is something anyone can and should check and know. As long as the LCD is 1600x1200, I see no reason to claim any false advertising / erroneous information. Now, if it is 1400x1050, that's a whole different issue, and then such claims have merit.

But the viewing angle problem along with the opened LCD lid might indicate the original Flexview LCD was replaced with a lesser panel.

Not at all according to the OP's description. He said "colors don't invert when looking vertically". That's definitely not TN, with 100% certainty. The fact that horizontally they perform about the same - TN panels have had no issues with horizontal angles for years now. Darkening and loss of contrast at vertical angles has been observer with some IPS panels, and specifically the color shift (colors turn cooler) has been recently reported by some users specifically for the BOE-Hydis UXGA. Not having seen one with my own eyes I cannot comment on how true it is.

[Binh]

Second, when I look side to side, the screen colors change at about 45º the colors turn cooler, for example, the stock Windows beige turns into a cooler bluish grey. When I look up and down the contrast goes down and the screen darkens a bit.

The same effect on my Boe-Hydis T60p AFFS screen. I think it is a big disadvantage of Boe-Hydis AFFS comparing to ID-Tech IPS screen (I also have T42p UXGA).

Asudef, what is shown in your Device Manager -> Monitor ? Can you see something like "Flexview wideviewing..." ?

[Asudef]

Thanks for all the replies, I just sent off a message to the seller asking him what he'd like to do. Turns out the Ultrabay doesn't work due to the poor reassembly but I will get pics up. The screen seems ok but if I really am stuck with it then I'll update the driver and see if it improves.

Aren't the BOE Hydis screens generally yellower while the "lesser" LG screens are Blueish tinted?

After using it a bit, 2 persistent lines show up near the bottom of the LCD but goes away sometimes when the screen is moved around. Does this mean a loose connection?

I don't see a Monitor option under the Device Manager, nothing shows up in Everest either so I don't know how to check.

I got pictures but have holiday plans so I will upload them over the weekend. There definitely seems to be something wrong with the machine, the keyboard looks well used but the palm rest etc don't and the trackpoint is brand new.

Thanks, and happy holidays everyone!

[ThinkRob]

I'd return it. If you're getting video glitches there's obviously something wrong, and the fact that the seller seems to be either dishonest or careless would be all I need to immediately ask for a full refund.

Now, a word of advice regarding eBay. Shadier eBay sellers will often try to string you along after you've purchased a known lemon or a won a bait-n-switch type auction. They'll suggest that you "wait and see if ______ goes away" or "try _______ and let me know if the problem persists", or even "I don't know anything technical, wait until Mr. _______ can help you", all in an attempt to get you to hold on to the machine long enough for them to stand a better chance in an eBay/PayPal dispute. Don't fall prey to that. If you get a machine that's not as advertised, *immediately* contact the seller. If they don't immediately respond by offering a full refund, open a dispute, and proceed through the resolution process.