A couple X61T questions

[mtbiac]

so I just got my X61T and love it so far! Couple quick things

1. Is the superview SXGA+ LCD supposed to look "Sparkly" on white backgrounds? Gets annoying at times

2. When closed and latch enabled, the LCD still wobbles a bit side to side (not up and down though). Is this normal? any way to make it a tight fit so it doesn't move around in my backpack or while writing in tablet mode (not as bad in tablet mode because of hand pressure I'm assuming)?

3. Is there any way to get DVI output? I have it hooked up to a 22" LCD using the X6 docking station, and it looks pretty bad compared to my T61 using the DVI on the advanced mini-dock. I don't remember VGA being THIS bad compared to DVI...any way I can correct this issue with software? or any other suggestions?

thanks so much!

[j-dawg]

Regarding your second point, I could tell you something I bet you didn't notice about the tablet screen that will irritate the hell out of you for a few weeks until you get used to it.

It bugged me so much when I read about it first and now I don't care anymore. I feel like I now wield some enormous power.

[rek]

Congratulations on the purchase The SXGA+ screened X60/61t is the finest ThinkPad I've had the pleasure of owning.

1. Is the superview SXGA+ LCD supposed to look "Sparkly" on white backgrounds? Gets annoying at times

Yeah, it's a side-effect of how the IPS/AFFS LCD panels are constructed. Desktop IPS panels have the same thing. IMO, it's a small compromise, given the excellent colour reproduction and viewing angles you get!

2. When closed and latch enabled, the LCD still wobbles a bit side to side (not up and down though). Is this normal? any way to make it a tight fit so it doesn't move around in my backpack or while writing in tablet mode (not as bad in tablet mode because of hand pressure I'm assuming)?

This is also normal; since there is only one latch in the middle, rather than two at each sides like a normal laptop, there is a bit of play in the hinge.

I'm not sure if there is any way to tighten it (and if so, what effect it might have on how easy it is for the swivel to work).

3. Is there any way to get DVI output? I have it hooked up to a 22" LCD using the X6 docking station, and it looks pretty bad compared to my T61 using the DVI on the advanced mini-dock. I don't remember VGA being THIS bad compared to DVI...any way I can correct this issue with software? or any other suggestions?

Unfortunately, no.

However, the analog circuitry paths in the Ultrabase are pretty well shielded from interference, and the biggest losses in quality/ghosting will end up being the quality of the VGA cable you use, and how interference-prone the analog/digital circuitry is inside your monitor.

Most VGA cables bundled with monitors these days are pretty bare when it comes to shielding. The best kind are to use are the ones that came with huge professional CRTs from 10 years ago. The ones that are so thick and stiff, it's impossible to bend them back on themselves!

e.g. I've tried an X6 Ultrabase with the same (well shielded) VGA cable on two monitors; a Dell 2005WFP had some subtle ghosting, while a 2007FPW was pretty much perfect.

What resolution and refresh rate are you using? Since refresh rate means little for an LCD, running it down low will reduce the bandwidth required to push the image to the monitor, hopefully minimising the interference you get.

[mtbiac]

Congratulations on the purchase The SXGA+ screened X60/61t is the finest ThinkPad I've had the pleasure of owning.

1. Is the superview SXGA+ LCD supposed to look "Sparkly" on white backgrounds? Gets annoying at times

Yeah, it's a side-effect of how the IPS/AFFS LCD panels are constructed. Desktop IPS panels have the same thing. IMO, it's a small compromise, given the excellent colour reproduction and viewing angles you get!

2. When closed and latch enabled, the LCD still wobbles a bit side to side (not up and down though). Is this normal? any way to make it a tight fit so it doesn't move around in my backpack or while writing in tablet mode (not as bad in tablet mode because of hand pressure I'm assuming)?

This is also normal; since there is only one latch in the middle, rather than two at each sides like a normal laptop, there is a bit of play in the hinge.

I'm not sure if there is any way to tighten it (and if so, what effect it might have on how easy it is for the swivel to work).

3. Is there any way to get DVI output? I have it hooked up to a 22" LCD using the X6 docking station, and it looks pretty bad compared to my T61 using the DVI on the advanced mini-dock. I don't remember VGA being THIS bad compared to DVI...any way I can correct this issue with software? or any other suggestions?

Unfortunately, no.

However, the analog circuitry paths in the Ultrabase are pretty well shielded from interference, and the biggest losses in quality/ghosting will end up being the quality of the VGA cable you use, and how interference-prone the analog/digital circuitry is inside your monitor.

Most VGA cables bundled with monitors these days are pretty bare when it comes to shielding. The best kind are to use are the ones that came with huge professional CRTs from 10 years ago. The ones that are so thick and stiff, it's impossible to bend them back on themselves!

e.g. I've tried an X6 Ultrabase with the same (well shielded) VGA cable on two monitors; a Dell 2005WFP had some subtle ghosting, while a 2007FPW was pretty much perfect.

What resolution and refresh rate are you using? Since refresh rate means little for an LCD, running it down low will reduce the bandwidth required to push the image to the monitor, hopefully minimising the interference you get.

Thanks so much for the GREAT info! I have 2 VGA cables I was testing it with. 1 was a thin cheap-o standard VGA cable, and the other was a monster shielded high quality SVGA cable, but it is 20ft long and that surely degrades signal quality. I'm about to order a 3ft SVGA high quality cable and see if that helps. :crossing fingers:

thanks again