Exceedingly Thin T42 LCD Cover

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kevinh · #1 Post by **kevinh** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 11:55 am

Hi all.

I know that this has been discussed before; in fact, I posted on this issue once before myself. But I'm coming to the end of my 30 day return period, and I need to make a decision.

I have a 14.1" 2373-5TU which I really like. It's small and lightweight, runs cool and quiet, and is more than fast enough for anything I need to do with it.

However, there is one issue that is beginning to concern me. The top cover (LCD cover) is so thin that the cover flexes when I open the cover, or move the cover to a different viewing angle. I can see the LCD rippling slightly when I do this, even if I am very carefull to grab the top center of the cover and move it slowly. If I grab it by a corner to move it the ripples are VERY apparent. Is this normal? Thanks.

Kevin

admsteiner · #2 Post by **admsteiner** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:35 pm

I'd have to say they aren't common.

I have a T42 (2378-FVU) with a 14.1" SXGA screen. For kicks I just moved the cover around for about thirty seconds from all over the place, one handed and two handed, from the side and from the back (top when closed) pushing in.

No ripples whatsoever. You can't even tell the LCD is being moved.

I've been very happy with my display. Even the few times I've touched it for one reason or another I haven't noticed ripples.

I'd say return it and have them send you a new one.
--Adam

brewt · #3 Post by **brewt** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:04 pm

It does that with my 2378FVU (samsung 14.1" SXGA+) if you end up bending the cover in the process of moving the cover; which pretty much happens if you move it quickly, or put more pressure moving it than needed. My guess is that your LCD's hinges are probably not adjusted right so they're already bending the LCD, thus any movement is causing some rippling. It shouldn't cause any problems, but if it really annoys you that much, return it. The problem is your next one might have other problems (dead pixels, etc).

kevinh · #4 Post by **kevinh** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:22 pm

Well, if I do return this one, it will be for a comparable unit in the 15" size. The 15" T42s are much sturdier than the 14.1" versions. But then, of course, I'd have to deal with the larger size and weight, shorter battery life and noisy fan on the XGA models (ATI 7500). But sturdiness is a desirable attribute for me, so that may just outweigh the other issues. Unfortunately, I really like this 2373-5TU, so it will be a tough choice.

Conmee · #5 Post by **Conmee** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:34 pm

I'm using a 2373-GRU and I see absolutely no rippling. I don't touch the LCD screen itself, but move the screen by holding on to the bezel around the screen. I can also press quite hard on the cover itself with no rippling on the screen.

The magnesium and carbon-reinforced composites that make up the cover and base have a very high torsional strength (despite their thinness), allowing more flexibility without breaking, and are much preferred to ABS plastics. They also absorb more of the force of a drop whereas plastic will break and transfer more of the force to internal components causing possible further damage.

I also have a T41 that doesn't show any of the rippling you mention while opening/moving the LCD. Not sure why you are seeing this unless you are just handling your LCD in a very indelicate way... lol

Daniel.

kevinh · #6 Post by **kevinh** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:53 pm

No, I'm being very gentle, moving it slowly by the top center, and I can still see the ripple. Of course if I do handle the LCD in an "indelicate" manner (ha!), say by moving it by the top left corner, it is much more apparent. And I'm not touching the LCD itself. Perhaps this cover is just substandard in thickness.

skanky · #7 Post by **skanky** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:53 pm

at work i use T42s, i had 2 2373-1WG's to set up for users, both identical but one of them has a ripply screen whereas the other does.

both ordered from our suppliers at the same time, just one had a ropey screen which is weird..

SimonCC · #8 Post by **SimonCC** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:53 pm

I do not have the rippling that you speak of, however - i do notice that when i open the lid it does flex quite a lot, because of this i actually find myself carefully opening it now as if my life depended on it! This is simply due to the thinness of the lcd cover but it has not caused me any problems. Saying that i havnt had any rippling so if i were you i would exchange it as i wouldnt wanna risk it, youll thank yourself in the long run.

lfeagan · #9 Post by **lfeagan** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:08 pm

I wouldn't worry about the rippling at all. Seeing it flex (thus the ripples) may disturb you, but it will not effect the LCD. This is perfectly normal for ripples to occur if you flex anything enough. If I set my thumb on the top middle and then use my forefinger down about 4 inches from the top on the back side and push with about 15 lbs or so of force I can make ripples appear in mine too. But when I just move it back and forth no rippling. I wouldn't personally call that a defect really either. I would rather it flex than be a glass plate and crack. Flexing isn't nearly as bad a thing as many people make it out to be. There is a difference between flexing to dissipate load and flexing b/c there is a lack of structural integrity which will lead to failure of the device. This is flex to dissipate the load. It takes a large amount of curvature and distributes it over a much larger area which is what you are noticing when you see ripples over a large area of the screen.

SimonCC · #10 Post by **SimonCC** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:23 pm

ifeagan - the information you give is all very interesting but the point here is that when he opens and closes his lid he gets ripples - if anyone can 100% say that years of usage will not affect the LCD in an adverse way because of this then please say so and explain why. Otherwise the safest bet would be to return the tp for a new one, thats what the 30 day period is for. Waxing lyrical about the materials that IBM use will not acheive anything, you will still be nervous when you open and close your tp, and such an experience alone warrants your returning it

kevinh · #11 Post by **kevinh** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:25 pm

Yes, I can imagine the LCD rippling if I were to apply 15 lbs of pressure in the center of the cover, but this is occurring while simply opening the cover or adjusting the viewing angle. And the hinges are not overly tight. Which makes me think that this cover is on the thin side of manufacturing tolerances.

admsteiner · #12 Post by **admsteiner** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:21 pm

kevinh wrote:Yes, I can imagine the LCD rippling if I were to apply 15 lbs of pressure in the center of the cover, but this is occurring while simply opening the cover or adjusting the viewing angle. And the hinges are not overly tight. Which makes me think that this cover is on the thin side of manufacturing tolerances.

I'd return it. Aside from myself, at least one other person has mentioned no ripples. If there were some, once in a while, that's one thing. But every time you move the screen?

You have the 30 days, go for it. I'd stick with another 14" though, I wouldn't want the weight and size of the 15" and I think the 14" is sturdy enough. But we all have our own tastes and requirements

--Adam

Plinkerton · #13 Post by **Plinkerton** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 2:14 am

Mine doesn't ripple hardly at all, ever...

warreng24 · #14 Post by **warreng24** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 3:13 am

No flexing on mine....

-Warren
T42 2378-FVU

RoadHazard · #15 Post by **RoadHazard** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 1:21 pm

You should not see any ripples when open/close the lid. I suggest you return it and get a new one.

Exceedingly Thin T42 LCD Cover

Exceedingly Thin T42 LCD Cover

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