Different LCD panels available from Lenovo for the T60/T60p:
Lenovo provides the following screen resolutions in the T60 series:
Non-widescreen models:
1. XGA (1024*768) - available in 14"/15" T60, T60p
2. SXGA+ (1400*1050) - available in 14"/15" T60, T60p
3. UXGA (1600 * 1200) - available in 15" T60p
Widescreen Models:
1. WXGA (1200*800) - available in 15" widescreen T60, T60p
2. WSXGA+ (1680×1050) - available in 15" widescreen T60, T60p
Please note that the widescreen T60/T60p does not come in 14" size as of 10-APR-2007. There is speculation that we might see 14" widescreens after the santa rosa refresh.
Only the regular (i.e. non widescreen) 15" T60/T60p have the option of an IPS screen. IPS stands for In-Plane Switching, and is a type of LCD technology which results in superior quality displays with excellent color reproduction and wide viewing angles (both horizontal and vertical). Lenovo's brand name for its IPS displays is Flexview . More information on IPS can be found in Wikipedia. IPS screens are available only in the SXGA+ or the UXGA resolutions (typically with X1400 or the FireGl cards only). Please note that IPS screens were never ever available in 14" models, in any previous/current T-series thinkpads.
The regular 14" models (both XGA or SXGA+ resolutions), the regular 15" XGA models and the widescreen T60/T60p (both WXGA or WSXGA+ resolutions) laptops DO NOT come with an IPS LCDs. They come with LCDs made with a different technology called TN (Twisted nematic). More information is available on wikipedia.
Current Status of IPS:
Lenovo is phasing out the IPS display from its laptops. This was recently clarified in a post from Matt Kahout on Lenovoblogs. The main reason for discontinuing IPS was that Lenovo was not able to find a steady supplier (of IPS panels ) who could meet the qulity requirements from Lenovo. Below is a quote from the article:
Quote:
There was only one supplier of IPS panels that was able to produce to our quality specifications. However, that supplier was unable to consistently deliver. We were not meeting the demand and were falling farther and farther behind. Thus we had to drop it. Incidentally, this same situation explains a lot of the X60 Tablet SXGA+ supply problem as well. 12 inch SXGA+ panels are pretty hard to come by.
While there are a lot of speculations as to other reasons (such as manufacturers moving into more mainstream markets like LCD HDTVs, bigger widescreen desktop monitors, more and more widescreen laptops being used by business etc), the above quoted reason is the official one from Lenovo.
Currently, it is not possible to place an online order for a laptop with an IPS display (SXGA+ or UXGA). However, there are a few models available for purchase if you call and talk to an IBM sales representative. Depending on availability, you may or may not get one. It is possible to swap the SXGA+ panel on a T60p with a UXGA panel bought elsewhere (from IBM, ebay etc). Older UXGA panels (from T43, A31p etc) will NOT fit in the T60/T60p. While not impossible, doing this swap is not easy; it will involve removing the entire LCD assembly from the base and significant work with the LCD assembly itself. Also note that doing such a swap might void your warranty. Anyone doing this does it at thier own risk.
For any further information on the T60/T60p, please refer to the
1. tabook.pdf - for model information.
2. T60 hardware maintenence manual - for detailed information regarding T60.
Thanks to gator for putting this together!