DBU LCD for X32

[asiafish]

Hello,

I was just curious and went checking for the source of my new X32's parts. I found that it has a DBU LCD, with Hydis and LG panels also sold on the this model.

Right next to the Samsung SXGA+ on the T42p I just sold this screen looked terrific, as it does next to my 12" Apple PowerBook, so I'm not complaining, just looking for information. Where is the DBU screen made, and is it generally well-regarded? Is there any difference in power consumption between the different brands?

[hoya]

asiafish - did you ever find any info on the DBU screen on your X32? is one panel better than the others on the X32?

also, do you still like your X32? After a series of terrible experiences with the T series, I am considering either the X41 or X32 and have seen several of your posts since you previously owned a T42p.

[asiafish]

Yes, I still like the X32, though I liked the T42p a great deal as well. If I didn't need extreme portability I'd stay with the T series as they really are better computers, just not as portable.

The X32 shines in its flexibility with batteries and expansion (X3 dock). When I want full capabilities I put it into the X3 and have essentially a smaller (though thicker) and slighty heavy T-series with a small XGA screen and a lame graphics adapter, but all of the computing power (non-graphics). Undocked it is much smaller and lighter, and that is the ONLY reason to go with one of these.

[hoya]

Thanks for the quick reply Andrew.

one reason I'm thinking of leaving the T series is the lackluster SXGA+ displays I've seen on probably a dozen machines. all the T4x Samsung panels I've seen are terrible, while a few of the Hydis panels I've seen are better but still nothing to write home about. whites are never truly white (the FlexView panels have more true whites), and constrast is very weak.

do you find that you are happy with text readability on the X32? the X32's 106 PPI is a bit lower than the 124 PPI on the SXGA+ T42, but I'm hoping that text will still be sharp & clean using cleartype.

finally, do you prefer the X32 keyboard over the T42p keyboard? I've heard some say that they prefer the NMB X4x keyboard, while others prefer the X3x keyboards (not sure of the supplier since they are all single-sourced).

thanks for your time

- John

[asiafish]

I had the NMB keyboard on my T42p and the Samsung panel. I had no complaints about either. Yes, the SXGA+ Samsung LCD lacked the punch of the Flexview screens, but when not right next to another machine it looked terrific. I loved watching movies on it.

the X32 screen is a bit brighter and has better contrast than the T42p did, and movies are even better, though smaller of course. Text is just fine, although I may be the wrong person to comment as I always found text to be clear and readable with font smoothing even on 14" XGA screens. You can see the jags, but you really have to look, and I'm just not all that sensitive to it. For me what matters is that it is easy to read and easy on the eyes, which both the X32 and T42p were. If anything, I prefer the size of the X32 text as the SXGA+ was often a bit too small (I would zoom my word docs).

The keyboard is another difficult area to compare. My T42p had a terrific keyboard that I liked better than the one on the X32, which is slightly smaller and has much smaller enter and backspace keys. The key feel itself isn't as good either, though I believe I have the Chicony keyboard on the X32 instead of the NMB I had on the T42p. Is there a list for keyboards on the X series? Mine is FRU 08K5073, not sure if that is Chicony or NMB, but judging by the difference in feel (a bit stiffer) I don't think its the same manufacturer.

I also have an X22 and the keyboard on that one is better than either the T42p or X32, almost as good as on the old TP 600s.

Hope that helps. For my needs at least, the X32 or X41 are about the best things going, as I primarily need light weight and long battery life.

[hoya]

yes, that does help tremendously. thank you!

as for the X32 keyboards, they are all single-sourced from an unknown manufacturer according to this page:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-50025

the X4x series, on the other hand, comes with a choice of either NMB or Chicony (with NMB being the obvious choice):
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-53666

I prefer the X32 overall, but after reading your impression of the X32 keyboard being a bit stiffer and a being a bit worse than the NMB T42, I'm planning to go with the X41. I'm dreading the clicks of the 1.8" drive, but that's what I'm willing to put up with to get the better keyboard!

thanks again,
john