New T43 - Problems already?

[Rhuobhe]

Hey Guys,
I just got a T43 today. I have to say that I am a bit dissapointed. Before I continue, the computer info is at the bottom of the post.

My main problem is the fact that the screen really sucks. The viewable angle seems like 5 degrees or so. The blacks are NOT CLOSE to being black, and the bottom of the screen is very light (ie the taskbar color is much lighter than the header bar at the top of internet explorer)

I am starting to think that Lenovo might have given me a junk screen - Doesnt TFT Active Matrix mean the veiwable angle is pretty good? I mean, my wife sitting right next to me cant see pictures on the screen, that's a problem.

Please let me know if this is standard or not, and if the screen's veiwable angle is really bad on your laptop.

Computer Specs:
Thinkpad T43 2686M4U
Pentium M 750 @ 1.86GHz 2MB L2 Cache 533MHz FSB
Windows XP Professional
14.1" XGA (1024x768) TFT Display
ATI Radeon Mobility x300 w/ 64MB
1GB PC2-4200 CL4 DDR2 SDRAM
60GB 5400rpm EIDE Hard drive
24x CD-RW & 8x DVD Ultrabay Slim Drive
Integrated wireless - Intel PRO 2200BG
Gigabit ethernet & 56K modem
6 Cell Li-Ion Battery

[TimWang]

Yea, the viewing angle is a bit small and your're right, the color at the top of the screen is a little different from the color at the bottom of the screen. Maybe you can try different viewing angles. I find that looking at the screen at a 90 degrees works best.

[Trip]

Hmm, the screen on my T42, which is also a 14" XGA, looks great. At least, it does when the brightness is up. I find the viewing angles to be acceptable, although I agree that the blacks can look washed out and the screen is lighter at the bottom. I don't really have a huge problem with either, though.

I can't really say whether your screen is a bad one or not, but it certainly sounds worse than mine. Maybe there's different types.

[Rhuobhe]

That's a real bummer. I like everything about this laptop except the screen. I was thinking it might be because lenovo uses low-quality parts. Are the old (real) IBM screens that way also?

[Rhuobhe]

The screen is acceptable for internet explorer and probably word and excel type programs.

I know this is not a laptop made for watching media or playing games, but those are both reasons why I got it.

All dark colors look horribly washed out

[STS06]

Well it is an XGA. First off, who said Lenovo uses cheap parts? I mean does anyone have conclusive info on this? People should know that these computers were built in China well before Lenovo took over.


Anyways, if you are that dissapointed in the screen, I recommend getting the same computer with a SXGA (1400x1050) screen. I have it and its perfect. The only time I cannot see anything on the screen is when my vision is parallel to the screen...that means at 180 degrees or zero degrees (however you look a it- no pun intended).

I suppose thats the best bet if you are satisfied with everything else on the computer. I don't know how shipping works or if the 30-no questions asked policy covers those costs. If so, then you don't have much to lose (except the time..but whoever said shopping was easy? you live and learn). Best of luck in solving your problem!

[Rhuobhe]

How is the SXGA when veiwing blacks? Are they washed out? Is the top of the screen more "brilliant" than the bottom?

[branng]

Hi, just joined the forum and I've JUST received my T43 yesterday. I have exactly the same screen as yours, except for the fact that I'm running off the 915GM chipset and I am overall, impressed by the display. The viewable angle is FAR FAR more than 5 degrees... I can read this text I'm typing from close to I'd say, 70 degrees. I have disabled a wallpaper and just set my desktop Black, plain Black and I have no problems with how "Black" it is. Comparing the laptop frame and my desktop, the "Black" of my desktop is SIGNIFICANTLY darker as it ought to be.

I agree with you about the fact that the taskbar colour is lighter than the header bar, but it doesn't really bug me. I'm fairly certain there's a menu and another submenu and another submenu where you can adjust the brightness "gradient" of the screen, from top to bottom. I have yet to discover that, if someone else has, please post here.

If you're problems are so adverse, call IBM.

PS: I can take pictures if you want me. I am not having any problems whatsoever with my LCD, apart from the "brightness gradient" of the screen.

[STS06]

rhuobhe...the SXGA is really great. The images and text are crisp. Also, as I mentioned before, the viewing angles are awesome...you can see if from any angle. Of course this is the 15" Flexview though.

Nonetheless, you won't have any faded black issues with this screen. I highly recommend it. No washed out colors whatsoever. Also I cannot discern between the top and the bottom so my answer is No, the brilliance is pretty much uniform. If there's a test you'd like me to run a visual test (put up a different wallpaper or whatever...) let me know, I'd be happy to tell you what it looks like!

[Ojisan]

Rhoubhe,

I had similar issues with 2668-75u (14" SXGA) that I bought. The viewing angle was narrow, pretty harsh backlight glare, uncontrollable blue emphasis (=washed out black. I tried using ATI control and Adobe Gamma Utility to correct for it but gave up).

My benchmark was T42p 15" Flexview and X32. Didn't get close to either one. Returned within 30 day (combined with HDD issues).

Maybe I got unlucky, I don't know. I wouldn't blame Lenovo though. Perhaps they are trying to bring brighter LCDs to Thinkpads. Too strong of a LCD drivers, maybe?

Ojisan

[Jmmmmm]

I don't think it's an issue of sxga vs xga (though that's possible too), but it might be due to the fact that there are two manufacturers of the thinkpad screens, hydis and another one...samsung? The hydis is said to be noticeably better, both in brightness and in viewing angle. You can find out which screen you have on ibm/lenovo's site through the part lookup website. I would give you the address, but I can't seem to find it right now. It has been listed a number of times on here, if you can find it somewhere.

(It just occured to me that I know this is the case with the sxga; I assumed it's the same for the xga, but it might be different. Either way, a part lookup should answer it.)

I don't know how liberal lenovo is with their return policy, but these issues might warrant a replacement. I know with Dell, if you are unhappy for any reason, you can just send it back and get another one (within a certain period, obviously). The black at the bottom being light is called light leakage and varies from screen to screen. It sounds like you got unlucky.

I would consider sending it back and getting another one. Perhaps you could look at exchanging it for one with an sxga screen, if you don't mind the smaller pixel size. Maybe by calling lenovo, a customer service agent might be able to help you out. I have virtually no light leakage on mine. You spent a good deal on this laptop, you deserve to be happy with it. Especially since thinkpads are such great computers.

[Steve007]

My main problem is the fact that the screen really sucks. The viewable angle seems like 5 degrees or so. The blacks are NOT CLOSE to being black, and the bottom of the screen is very light (ie the taskbar color is much lighter than the header bar at the top of internet explorer)

I am starting to think that Lenovo might have given me a junk screen - Doesnt TFT Active Matrix mean the veiwable angle is pretty good? I mean, my wife sitting right next to me cant see pictures on the screen, that's a problem.

Rhuobhe, the screens are not normally like that so send it back and ask for a replacement.

[Hammerstein]

I just got the same unit today (2686M4U) and the screen has a good viewing angle, about normal for a TFT display. I'd say it's defective.

[RonS]

The 15" Thinkpads come with Flexview displays which are INCREDIBLE. The 14.1" Thinkpads come with non-Flexview, which is far inferior. It's a trade-off that comes with the extra portability, but I don't know why IBM/Lenovo can't contract to have a 14.1" Flexview made for them.