X230 IPS Screen Causing Eye Strain

[trishul117]

I recently purchased a refurbished X230 with an IPS screen (panel model according to HWiNFO: LP125WH2-SLB1). I found out that X230 uses PWM to control the brightness of the screen and that too a very low frequency. I used to get headache and feel nauseous within thirty minutes of using the laptop. Then I found out that there is a way to increase the PWM frequency. Now I run the screen at 20 KHz (default is 220 Hz) at all times. The headaches and the nauseous feelings have gone away, but I still find the screen extremely uncomfortable. I can't explain the problem in one sentence, I will do my best to explain in a few. I find it very difficult to focus on text, especially light text on dark background (I am a programmer and I use a dark theme wherever I can). It's like I have to put in a lot of effort to focus on text, which tires my eyes over long periods of continuous usage. I tried reducing the contrast and brightness, makes no difference. After a while of reading text, if I close my eyes or look at a white wall, I can see horizontal black bars as an after image. I also find the screen to have this strange glow which tires my eyes, especially when the background is white (I know this sounds stupid, but I am just describing what I feel as best as I can). I also found out that LP125WH2-SLB1 panel has bad ghosting and backlight bleed issues and I confirm that my panel has them as well, but I feel they are not contributing to eye strain, though I might be wrong. I use flux at night, and strangely, I find the screen much more comfortable to use with flux.

Now, I have researched as best as I can on these problems. Some say that some people might find IPS displays uncomfortable at first and then they slowly get used to it. I gave it time and I am not getting used to it so this solution can be rejected. I have been using an Ideapad with a ****ty TN display for the last six years and I never had any eye strain issues with that panel.

I also read that LP125WH2-SLB3 and LP125WH2-SLT1 panels are supposed to be better than LP125WH2-SLB1, but the reviews on the former panels are mixed. Some even say that there are newer LP125WH2-SLB1s out there that are better than the older LP125WH2-SLB1s, whatever the **** that means. So should I try replacing the panel with either SLB3 or SLT1 as a last resort? X230 is an amazing machine which is why I am trying so hard to find a solution so that I can continue using it. I hope you guys can point me in the right direction.

[Thinkpad4by3]

I never experienced any headaches with mine and mine os a factory install so it may e a b3, not b1 panel. I get headaches for anything so of i was going to get one it wpuld of happened. BTW I use my X230 every day.

[RealBlackStuff]

I was a (mainframe) programmer too, before I retired, but I never had any screen smaller than 14" or 15".
Its resolution in the early days was only 24 lines of 80 characters, perfect for Cobol or Assembler.
That was in the good old days of the mainframe terminal.
And I also always had a proper keyboard (usually without the numeric keys).
Later on I got to use PCs with 17" and 19" screens.
I would STRONGLY advise to get a USB keyboard and a bigger monitor (19", 1280x1024 would be best) for programming.
The X230 is good for when you travel, NOT as a daily workhorse!

[dr_st]

I still find the screen extremely uncomfortable. I can't explain the problem in one sentence, I will do my best to explain in a few. I find it very difficult to focus on text, especially light text on dark background (I am a programmer and I use a dark theme wherever I can). It's like I have to put in a lot of effort to focus on text, which tires my eyes over long periods of continuous usage. I tried reducing the contrast and brightness, makes no difference. After a while of reading text, if I close my eyes or look at a white wall, I can see horizontal black bars as an after image. I also find the screen to have this strange glow which tires my eyes, especially when the background is white (I know this sounds stupid, but I am just describing what I feel as best as I can).

It's quite possible that your panel is just defective. A couple of months ago I had the screen in my cellphone (a 5.5" IPS) replaced due to a digitizer problem. With the new panel, I immediately noticed things very similar to what you described - blurry text, especially light on dark, and glow (more like 'bleed') around various on-screen items. About half the people could see what I saw, and the other half couldn't (including the technician that worked on it). Still, they replaced the panel once more and the new one is issue-free.

Now, theoretically, it may be not the panel, but the cable. In my case it was not possible to determine, since the screen kit for my phone includes both the panel and the cable as a single unit, so both had to be replaced.

I also found out that LP125WH2-SLB1 panel has bad ghosting and backlight bleed issues and I confirm that my panel has them as well, but I feel they are not contributing to eye strain, though I might be wrong.

It's true - these issues are common on this panel, and much less common on the -SLB3 and -SLT1. Yes, you should get one of those. In fact, the -SLB3 is the revised version of the IPS panel that was released for X230 and late X220 units specifically to address the issues with the earlier -SLB1.

[trishul117]

I would STRONGLY advise to get a USB keyboard and a bigger monitor (19", 1280x1024 would be best) for programming.
The X230 is good for when you travel, NOT as a daily workhorse!

Thank you for the advice. I am a student and I will be buying a bigger monitor as soon as I can afford one. But I think there is no reason why a 12.5 inch IPS panel should cause eye strain (no matter if it is built to be used on the go or not) when we have perfectly good IPS screens on smartphones today which cause no eye strain (even with longer usage). I agree the resolution is not ideal for programming, but reading text on it should not cause a problem.

It's quite possible that your panel is just defective. A couple of months ago I had the screen in my cellphone (a 5.5" IPS) replaced due to a digitizer problem. With the new panel, I immediately noticed things very similar to what you described - blurry text, especially light on dark, and glow (more like 'bleed') around various on-screen items. About half the people could see what I saw, and the other half couldn't (including the technician that worked on it). Still, they replaced the panel once more and the new one is issue-free.

Now, theoretically, it may be not the panel, but the cable. In my case it was not possible to determine, since the screen kit for my phone includes both the panel and the cable as a single unit, so both had to be replaced.

Yes, the problems sound very similar to what I observed. Maybe I will open the bezel and check the cable once before buying a new panel. The new panels are not really cheap here in Europe.

It's true - these issues are common on this panel, and much less common on the -SLB3 and -SLT1. Yes, you should get one of those. In fact, the -SLB3 is the revised version of the IPS panel that was released for X230 and late X220 units specifically to address the issues with the earlier -SLB1.

If I decide to buy a new panel, should I go for SLB3 or SLT1? I read that SLT1 was specifically made for X230 and it is the best panel one can buy for an X230.

[dr_st]

SLT1 is said to be a bit better, but really either one should be fine. Get whatever is available / cheaper.

The SLT1 was never officially offered on the X230, AFAIK.

[RealBlackStuff]

-SLT1 was made for the Lenovo S230U Twist.
My X220 has one and my X230 also had one before I upgraded it to FHD.
Absolutely beautiful screens is all I can say.