Thinkpads Forum

I just got an X61 tablet with an SXGA+ screen. Cool machine with IBM regalia on it It's obviously an IPS panel. I also have a X61 tablet with XGA multiview screen to compare it against. SXGA+ screen is less bright, but that's expected.

1) The SXGA+ screen appears to have a "grainy" texture when looking at a white background, and moving head side to side. That's only side to side, not up and down. Can't say this bothers me a LOT but it doesn't have the silky smooth feeling of the XGA screen. I think this could be normal, but definitely a minus.
2) Again, looking at a white background the SXGA+ screen appears non-uniform. Some areas look to have a green hue, others a bit of pink. I'm guessing this is not normal. It's subtle but definitely noticeable.
3) There is some backlight uniformity problems as well, but very slight.

Having said that, I still prefer the SXGA+ screen for the added resolution. It's just not as perfect as the XGA.

I still have warranty on this machine. Should I send it and ask for a screen replacement?

All of the points you have mentioned are more or less typical complaints about the SXGA+ screen. I find that, color-wise, the biggest problem is the "sparkle" effect seen in large blocks of white; somewhat enlightening discussion of this phenomenon can be found here. It appears to be a side effect of the "Superview" coating used to enhance outdoor visibility.

I'd never noticed that the sparkles seem to change when moving the head side to side instead of nodding. Interesting.

A post in that thread advises not to buy the X61 tablet solely for the resolution, but only if tablet functionality is needed. Having bought a tablet solely for the resolution, I must register my disagreement: after using a screen with such high pixel density, it's almost frustrating to use even today's typical laptop displays, to say nothing of the positively agricultural XGA screens in my other 12" computers, an X24 and a 12" Powerbook.

Great, thanks a lot for the response. I'll bring up any questions in that thread. I wasn't able to find it, because I didn't think of calling the effect "sparkly" The X60/X61 UltraLight display also has that effect, but it's not as disturbing with the lower pixel density.

Yeah I mean there aren't a whole lot of options in terms of a small high-res non-TN screen. Although I prefer the X60s/X61s size and battery life, this screen is definitely worth it over them even counting the slightly higher cost. I take photos while traveling, and having an IPS screen with me everywhere I go is gold.