Dissappointed w/ T400 LED Screen, anyone else?

I have to say, I was excited when I bought my T400. It was going to replace my 7 year old Dell Inspiron 8200 (1600x1200 screen). I have to say the T400 is awesome, but I am very disappointed at the screen. It has the LED screen, with the highest resolution. Sure the LED screen is very bright, but the old Dell screen is so much more crisp. Anyone else disappointed?

 

I have seen the T400 before, with the same display as you are describing. It is rather disappointing.

All Thinkpads have one problem: screen quality. The screen may be bright, but what's the point when its lacking crispness (otherwise known as dot pitch).

The LED screen, while better than the other options for the T400, also produces a cool image (blue overtone). The screen quality is completely lacking. The only notebook that has a great display in the Thinkpad line-up is the W700. However, it is large and expensive.

Hopefully, the new version of the T400 with the 680-nit display has better quality. That is yet to be confirmed.

Quote:
"Because field computing requires excellent screen viewability, Lenovo is also adding a new optional 680-nit high brightness panel to its most popular laptop, the ThinkPad T400 laptop."

"As the adoption of laptops increases and connectivity options continue to expand, users are spending more and more computing time outdoors. That makes screen visibility extremely important. For a crisp and easily readable experience, Lenovo is equipping the ThinkPad T400 laptop with an optional high brightness, wide angle screen, making it nearly four times brighter than previous ThinkPad laptop screens. The high contrast screen eliminates reflections with its anti-glare finish. And by using energy-efficient LED technology, the laptop maintains long battery life."

They mention improved brightness, contrast, viewing angles, and an anti-glare finish. Let's see how "crisp" this display will really be.

 

Well if you read my other posts, I have been bummed with the T400's screen quality. I got a Samsung, but judging from the official review here, they had an LG and the primary problem is identical: viewing angles vertically. That and the milky effect that my Samsung LED has.

Brighter is not always better. It's really a shame. I mean, all paneles are manufactured by the same people and these notebook companies are all sourcing from the same place....except Lenovo seems to consistently get the worst ones, I agree. Let me add that for the T500, if you can get an LG 1680x1050 screen, that is pretty good. It is only lacking in maximal brightness to my eye, but even that is being too picky.

I feel that the Sony Z series will get you a good screen, no lottery about it, as well as the mabook air and the macbook pro. While I have no doubt that they are sourcing from similar factories, there does seem to be a higher standard.

I am curious as to the T400's 680 nit display. Again, 300 nits or whatever the Samsung LED is, is already PLENTY bright. If it's milky, it's pointless and if it has no viewing angle, brightness is pointless. Extra brightness won't overshadow deficiencies in other areas.

 

The x200 Tablet also has a GREAT screen (AFFS+), but it is only 12" and expensive. I will admit though, that most of the other present models are lacking in the screen quality department.

 

I'd have to wholeheartedly agree with this. They just keep cranking up the brightness without addressing the PQ issues. The sad part is the technology is there and has been for quite some time, but for some reason they won't give it to us or an option to upgrade. If my R60 had 14" SXGA+ IPS screen, I'd be my perfect notebook. I'd never buy anything else. It's the whole standard vs widescreen thing all over again. The 150 nit brightness of my R60 is fine on the upper levels. It works well for internet and office type stuff, but if you want to watch a movie it's terrible. Particularly darker colors wash out unless you at the optimal angle, which is hard to do. My R60 has the Boe-Hydis panel, which is supposed to be the best of the three SXGA+ screens. I feel sorry for people who got the Samsung, which is the worst.

 

Anyone think there is any reason to believe that when Lenovo is able to get the LED WXGA+ panels back in stock that they will be any better?

 

Not really. They haven't nailed screen quality in a decade, so why start now? At this point I'm simply resigned to treat Thinkpads as they are: exceptionally engineered and incredibly durable, light weight, powerful laptops with crappy screens.