Thinkpads Forum

I have a new X61 and I have noticed one annoying problem:

Everytime I close the lid, the some of the keys on the keyboard and the trackpoint leaves an impression/mark on the screen. Thankfully, it's not permanent, but requires me to constantly clean the screen.

I want to know how many other X series owners have this problem?

I'm worried that eventually the keyboard will leave a permanent mark on the screen.

EDIT: Now I am upset. I have 3 permanent marks from the keyboard and a circular mark from the trackpoint that I cannot clean off. Anyone think I can complain to Lenovo calling this a manufacturing defect?

I keep an eye glasses cloth, and I place that over my keyboard when I shut the lid everytime. Seems to work well enough.

Now I am upset. I have 3 permanent marks from the keyboard and a circular mark from the trackpoint that I cannot clean off. Anyone think I can complain to Lenovo calling this a manufacturing defect?

Best of luck is my advice.
If it can be argued that somehow the keyboard is too elevated due to a manufacturing defect on your laptop only (thus causing the marks), than I would say ok.
But don't know what they will offer....might as well trying to call and complain; see what you can get.

both of my T60 and T42 has this problem, but it will be fine if you have screen protector.
I havent noticed my 2 days old X61 table coz its on his way to EasySev.....

X22, X41, X61. Happened on every X-Series I ever owned. The trackpoint mark wipes off when you clean the screen. Never had an issue.

Trekk69 wrote:Best of luck is my advice.
If it can be argued that somehow the keyboard is too elevated due to a manufacturing defect on your laptop only (thus causing the marks), than I would say ok.
But don't know what they will offer....might as well trying to call and complain; see what you can get.

I was having this problem too but relaized i didn't tighten the screws for the keyboard enough which gave it a little elevation. The other causes could be:
- pressure on the lid while in storage
- the little plastics that is along the edges of the screen could be worn out

anyways, i would try to return as a defect. let us know... gl

Mine's a multitouch so it gets fingerprints anyway. I do see some line marks on the screen that comes from the keyboard, but it's not that bad. Besides, I have a screen protector that perfectly fits and have no bubbles no dust in it since day 1. (Been almost a year now)

No issues with my new X61. Love this little thing.

I use a ShaggyMac screen protector.

I had the same problem with my T42 as well. I thought that it was because I packed by briefcase too tightly with books and etc., but the same has happened with my X61 straight away

oh my god!It is not a good news,and I have a new x61 too,but I dont find something strange ,how long did you find that after ownig it ?

I have the same issue. What do all of you recommend for trying to clean the screen?

I am going to get a cleaning cloth and use it as suggested between the screen and the keyboard when I close the cover.

I suggest you get a ShaggyMac cloth.
I purchased one with my new Thinkpad X60 over a year ago and not a single mark on my keyboard!

They do attract a bit more dust, but it's worth it.

http://www.shaggymac.com/index.php?main ... ucts_id=32

X60s here my keyboard stick also leaves a blob on the screen.

using screen protector to avoid any mark leave on the screen

I find that the cause is really greasy keyboards. The screen can be cleaned by lint -free cloth like microfiber or plain toilet paper wet with dilute isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). clean the keyboards also to minimize recurrence.

actually not a big deal to me,
as long as it doesn't affect its performance

The little scratches were annoying, but only seen during certain screens/lighting. I had a repair for another reason all together, pointed the scratches out to the technician, and was on the way to a new screen (I do have the bumper to bumper warranty (i.e including accidental damage). A manager then called me to change the cause to user abuse, stating that I had to have kept it too tight in a briefcase or something similar (and wanted the computer to be sent in instead of fixed on-site). I stated that if a laptop can't be carried or placed in a roomy soft-sided briefcase without having the screen get damaged, then there was a design flaw.
New screen was delivered and installed the next day.

Is it possible to get one of those PRIVACY screens for the X61 Tablet?

This haas happened on every notebook I've owned from Dell, Clevo and HP! Glad to see there's a remedy (of sorts)!

My X61s is fine, the only marks on it are finger marks

Ever since I noticed the beginnings of "track-pad marks" on my T42 years ago, I've had a shaggymac keyboard/screen cloth.

You won't get marks on your screen if you carry the laptop around as is. The trouble comes when you stick it in a bag with other things, like books. The bag they're placed in squeezes them together, causing the keys to rub on the screen.

Sorry to pick up this old topic again.....

My quite new X61s leaves marks
1. from the trackpoint, which isn't a problem, and easily cleanable
2. from the corners of the spacebar - which are uncleanable with special tft cleaning cloth+liquid

It also seems that my spacebar is a little higher than other keys, is it normal?

Anyone can recognize the same?

I guess I should start putting a cloth in between, before it damages the TFT too much at these two points.

x61t - no marks.

I just tested by closing the screen. I have a thin layer of dust on the screen and it was undisturbed when I closed the screen.

i used to have this same issue my X60s. where u know the spacebar used to leave the marks on my screen which later bcame horrible scratches. later got it replaced at the lenovo service.

now got my x61s n not taking any chances this time. got a screen guard

srikanth.addala wrote:i used to have this same issue my X60s. where u know the spacebar used to leave the marks on my screen which later bcame horrible scratches. later got it replaced at the lenovo service.

now got my x61s n not taking any chances this time. got a screen guard

Oh should get one too then. But I don't like having anything sticked to the screen and make it worse for normal use. I will probably put some microfiber cloth inbetween for the transport.

Too bad that this flaw still exists on a lot of Thinkpads.... Still they are probably as close to the perfect notebooks, as you can get on the market...

It's really not feasible to make the lid rigid enough to avoid flexing and still keep the weight as low as we expect. So the result is that if pressure is applied on the lid (for example, when carrying your X in a backpack), the lind and screen may flex enough to make light contact with the keyboard and TrackPoint.

As another poster suggested, just place a microfibre eyeglass cleaning cloth on the keyboard before closing it, if there is any risk of compression. After getting the marks on my original X31, this technique kept my X61 screen in great shape.