IBM monitors for use with Thinkpads

Have any of you guys had experience with the IBM monitors and how it is using one with your thinkpad notebook?

Two models in particular I am looking into:

1) Lenovo D221 Wide Monitor

and some of their other 19 inch monitors...

Is 22 inch widescreen overdoing it??
The resolution doesn't seem to impressive: 1650x1050. And their 19inch widecreen only has 1440x990 resolution (same as my laptop) and their 19inch regular screens have a resolution of 1280x1024...which is quite low, eh?

I'm looking for the best resolution and optimal size.

 

I have the Samsung 206BW (1650 x 1050) & its excellent, got alot of good reviews aswell. Linked up to the T61 through the advanced mini dock (dvi)

 

i never seen an ibm lcd in action, but for the money, i'd much rather get something from sony or samsung.

 

KnightUnit, I don't have a "mini dock." would i be able to connect the samsung through the port on the left side of the t61? It looks like a printer port but about half the size (I don't know the exact name).

Cheers.

 

Yes the samsung also has a vga input, you can also get a vga to dvi converter aswell to put on the lead.

 

Hey KnightUnit,

If I use the VGA connection, does that mean the quality will be worse than the DVI connection?

Also, how do you find using both the thinkpad and the samsung monitor side by side. I assume you just use the thinkpad keyboard and an externa mouse? Is it really comfortable/easy to use?

Cheers

 

22" isn't all that big anymore. I would go look at one - they really don't blow you away like you would think...

Three things kill the Lenovo D221 Wide Monitor for me:

1) no height adjustable stand (end up craning down at the monitor)
2) heard it can't support encrypted HD content
3) Lack of inputs

I would go for the Dell 24" 2407FPW-HC. It addresses all three "problems" - it even has component inputs!

 

I use a microsoft keyboard and logitech wireless mouse, laptop stays closed in the dock. I dont think there is much difference between vga and dvi but im no expert on this. Im sure you can google this or someone can advise

 

I haven't heard much about Lenovo monitors.

I'm not a Dell laptop or desktop fan, but their monitors are excellent (many, many pro and user reviews can confirm this). You should have a look at the 20" UltraSharp 2007WFP for $339 it really can't be beat. Also, the 24" UltraSharp 2407WFP-HC for $679 is superb. These are both matte screens.

If you are looking for a really good glossy widescreen you should have a look at the 20" HP W2007 (this particular model gets really good reviews). This can be found at Wal-mart and CircuitCity for about $270.

 

The Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP has a response time of 16ms, the samsung 206BW is 2ms....

 

So Knightunit, you don't use both ur laptop monitor AND the external monitor simultaneously side by side?
That' swhat I want to do...I just don't know if it is comfortable given that the two screens will be significantly different size...etc.

 

Thats why I havent bothered, because of the size difference. One 20" screen is fine to work on for me. Depends if you would be running something in the background on one of the screens?

 

I was going to buy a Samsung 226BW to go with my new laptop, but after seeing them side by side, and reading about Samsung having backlight bleed problems, chose the LG L226WTX-BN instead. Paid $360 CDN with tax. (Samsung 226BW would have been about $410) Very nice monitor.

IMO, 22 inches is not overkill , and 1680 x 1050 is perfect for the 22 inch screen. I find the 1440 x 900 on my T61 14.1 inch widescreen too hard to read. If I could switch to 1280 x 800 without the picture quality going to crap, I would.

BTW, my dad runs 2 x 19" Samsung 915N (4:3) @ 1280 x 1024, and I find that resolution just right for those monitors.

 

With Dell 2007WFP and 2407WFP if you want an S-IPS screen, you essentially end up playing a monitor lottery.

Dell uses whatever LCD panels they have on hand to build their monitors. So some batches use S-PVA panels, some batches use S-IPS panels. Basically there is no way you can tell what kind of panel your monitor has until you open up the package and turn it on and take a look at the monitor yourself.

That's why you see people trying to get rid of essentially brand new 2007WFP and 2407WFP monitors both on this site and on other computer forums. They claim they just opened up the packaging just to check for dead pixels, but in reality they are checking to see what kind of LCD panel they are getting. If the panel is S-IPS, they keep it for themselves. If the panel is S-PVA, they put it on sale. I have read stories of people ordering 5 or 6 monitors from Dell and never got an S-IPS panel.

If you want an good monitor and have the money, get an Apple Cinema Display.

 

Hmm...
so is it VERY DIFFICULT to use the ibm thinkpad monitor AND an external monitor at the same time?

I think for my purposes two monitors would be ideal...but I don't want to buy 2 monitors and a dock...i just want to use the ibm thinkpad display and also an external one. though it seems that doesn't work too well?

 

The samsung 206BW is a good value as well.

Unfortunately Dell hasn't updated the spec ON PAPER since the 2005WFP. The 2007WFP actually has a response time of 8ms. http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=637&page=8
When I think of response time I think of ghosting. The Dell has S-IPS panel is superior to many other value panels and often shows less ghosting than those rated with lower response times.

There is a lot more to a monitor than response time.

EDIT: I didn't know about furrycute's story...

 

Depends if you like ghosting or not in your games

 

I think as long as you are in the 16ms neighborhood, you are fine.

A lot of the newer external monitors claiming to have 5ms or less response times use really low quality TN panels, the same type of panel found on your everyday laptops.

 

Yeah, that's what I was talking about in that thread

I don't know how the two monitors (2007WFP and 206BW) stack up side by side, but the link I provided shows that the Dell 2007WFP did better than the Samsung 205BW (which had a better response time on paper). The point... actual results are sometimes different than what you'll find in the specs.

 

205BW is the old version, 206BW is updated new model

 

Im just not a fan of Dell products.

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/125098

 

uh, yeah... I said...

The remainder of the post was just proving the point that the 2007WFP performs better than some others that are rated better on paper including the (yes, older) 205BW.

So Again... I don't know how the two monitors (2007WFP and 206BW) stack up side by side.

 

Me either...

Maybe we should just stop there since we agree on that.:twitcy:

 

What did you end up getting?

 

mliu started the thread so hopefully he will tells us what he went with.

I am seriously considering the HP w2007 or the HP w2207. They are glossy screen so they are not for those they get uptight about some glare, but the picture quality is pretty amazing. They get excellent reviews and the price is right. These monitors are great for text and movies. Descent for gaming and photo video editing.

The LG 22" L226WT (not the inferior L226WTQ even though it may look better on paper, real life performance is inferior) is also a nice 22" matte option.

However, if video or photo editing is your thing its the Dell 24" 2407WFP-HC all the way (many pros go with this who don't want to spend thousands on a monitor).

If that isn't good enough for you then you must be a very particular professional and should be looking at an Eizo monitor that goes anywhere from about $1500 - $5500.