Thinkpads Forum

My question: Have there been any videos which compare the performance of various screen options of the X60 Tablet when used in daylight conditions?

I've just watched the GottaBeMobile.com video in which the multiview/multitouch indoor/outdoor screen option was shown outside. It looked much better than a traditional laptop screen would (as expected). What I'm looking for is some indication of how the regular XGA and SXGA+ X60 Tablet options look in daylight conditions vs. the M/M screen. I'm thinking I'll be pulling the trigger on an online order for one of these next weekend so hopefully I can decide on a screen option by then!

[Generally I always go for the highest screen resolution, since sometimes I'm using applications which beg for screen real estate (MS Visual Studio, etc.) but if a smaller res. screen genuinely is better I'd probably take it and adjust the way I use my software to compensate. Regarding pixel density, I use a 15" UXGA T43p at work occasionally and I have to admit that I feel more comfortable with that resolution on my Dell 2001FP 20" display at home.]

bral wrote:My question: Have there been any videos which compare the performance of various screen options of the X60 Tablet when used in daylight conditions?

Not that I know of, but you could ask the GottaBeMobile.com folks for a comparison.

What I'm looking for is some indication of how the regular XGA and SXGA+ X60 Tablet options look in daylight conditions vs. the M/M screen.

The non M/M screens are not superbright like some screens which can be used outside (i.e. they are not 500 nits like some ToughBooks; instead they're only around 180 nits).

I opted for the SXGA+ screen because for me resolution trumped outdoor viewing. If you want M/M, just add in the cost of a high-res monitor or two for home and work.

ETA: The other thing to keep in mind is that it looks like SXGA+ screen models will be delayed until January.

Tab wrote:

bral wrote:My question: Have there been any videos which compare the performance of various screen options of the X60 Tablet when used in daylight conditions?

Not that I know of, but you could ask the GottaBeMobile.com folks for a comparison.

On your suggestion I just posted my question over on the GBM forums too. I'd actually never realized they had forums as well, oops.

Tab wrote:

bral wrote:What I'm looking for is some indication of how the regular XGA and SXGA+ X60 Tablet options look in daylight conditions vs. the M/M screen.

The non M/M screens are not superbright like some screens which can be used outside (i.e. they are not 500 nits like some ToughBooks; instead they're only around 180 nits).

The thing is, the tabook lists 185nits for the M/M screens and 180nuts for the SXGA+. I've got to imagine that if the M/M screens have different display tech that the SXGA+ models look more washed out when viewed outside. (More than 5 nits of difference that is! )

Tab wrote: I opted for the SXGA+ screen because for me resolution trumped outdoor viewing. If you want M/M, just add in the cost of a high-res monitor or two for home and work.

ETA: The other thing to keep in mind is that it looks like SXGA+ screen models will be delayed until January.

The delay is certainly a surprise to those who had shipping dates around now and are now being told January. I'd be pretty disappointed. Interestingly I had a SXGA+ model in my shopping cart on the Lenovo site last night with a good price and 15 day? availability and now it lists as $80K price and 30 day availability. Their system is a little odd.

Just a quick note: It's not only the SXGA models that are pushing out to January. I have an XGA model that is now being pushed as well. Frustrating.

bral wrote:The thing is, the tabook lists 185nits for the M/M screens and 180nuts for the SXGA+. I've got to imagine that if the M/M screens have different display tech that the SXGA+ models look more washed out when viewed outside. (More than 5 nits of difference that is! )

Standard XGA and SXGA+ are both around 180 nits. M/M is 150 nits. This is only meaningful in a dark setting; M/M is supposedly transflective, so it may be able to make use of ambient light in some situations.

bral wrote:Interestingly I had a SXGA+ model in my shopping cart on the Lenovo site last night with a good price and 15 day? availability and now it lists as $80K price and 30 day availability. Their system is a little odd.

Yeah, $80K is a lot to pay for a tablet, but you're getting legendary Lenovo quality.

Hold on... This post implies that only the Multitouch screens have outdoor visibility. I thought all the the new X60t screen options will be outdoor-able??? So the 12.1"SXGA TFT screen option doesn't have the extra brightness for outdoors ???

If that's true, I am shattered, because the order I have going on has the 12.1"SXGA TFT and I was hoping it would perform better outdoors than my current X60 non-tablet.

centrex wrote:Hold on... This post implies that only the Multitouch screens have outdoor visibility. I thought all the the new X60t screen options will be outdoor-able???

No, the 3 screen options are standard XGA, standard SXGA+, and XGA with Indoor/Outdoor and touch. See the tabook.pdf for confirmation/details.

So the 12.1"SXGA TFT screen option doesn't have the extra brightness for outdoors ???

Correct.

If that's true, I am shattered, because the order I have going on has the 12.1"SXGA TFT and I was hoping it would perform better outdoors than my current X60 non-tablet.

You have plenty of time to cancel and order something different because it looks like the SXGA+ models won't ship until sometime in January. Of course at this point, that's probably true of a new order as well.

Tab wrote:You have plenty of time to cancel and order something different because it looks like the SXGA+ models won't ship until sometime in January. Of course at this point, that's probably true of a new order as well.

As of 5 minutes ago, my delivery ETA is still showing 12/14 for the SXGA+ CTO with 7200 rpm and Lenovo customer care told me I cannot cancel.

Some new rule, apparently the 30 day return option no longer exists. They did tell me that if I do not open it and contact them once it gets delivered, I can return it without a restocking fee, so I might explore that option. If I am "lucky", they will e-mail me soon and tell me about the delay everyone else is talking about and offer me to cancel.

I can just order the Touchscreen option in a new order if that happens.

Alternatively I might just take the delivery and sell the machine unopened. Many people are dying to get their hands on one, so if mine really comes on 12/14, I might be able to get someone to take mine.

SXGA+ would have been nice to have, but outdoor viewing capabilities are even higher on my wishlist. I don't care for touchscreen but if I have to take it to get decent outdoor performance, I can live with it.

centrex wrote:Hold on... This post implies that only the Multitouch screens have outdoor visibility. I thought all the the new X60t screen options will be outdoor-able??? So the 12.1"SXGA TFT screen option doesn't have the extra brightness for outdoors ???

If that's true, I am shattered, because the order I have going on has the 12.1"SXGA TFT and I was hoping it would perform better outdoors than my current X60 non-tablet.

Well, I was hoping that they all have decent outdoor visibility, even though the M/M screen is the only one listed as "indoor/outdoor" which is why I was looking to see if any review sites had done a comparison yet. I'm still hoping, like you, that the SXGA+ is at least somewhat usable outdoors. If not, it may steer me to the M/M screen.