Computer screens and eye fatigue

Hi all,

I just received my new Lenovo T440s, which is supposed to have a great screen, and the picture quality is indeed very nice. But for some reason my eyes feel tired when using it for coding/reading, and I can't figure out why. Somehow the colours feel very intense and bright, but if I turn the brightness down enough, then it's too dark to see properly.

Up until now I've been using my old Thinkpad T42, and my eyes just feel more relaxed when looking at it. Do you think this is down to different screen types, or do I need to calibrate the screen better? So far I spent about an hour trying to make the colors and brightness of the T440s to be similar to T42, without much success.

A bit of background: I have quite strong nearsightedness, but it had stayed the same for about 6 years, as I was using the T42. About a year ago I started using a different screen at work (HP 2311x), felt that it was more tiring, but thought it would pass. Shortly after that my sight got worse and I had to get a new subscription, but I just concluded that it was due for an update anyway. However, now I feel my sight getting worse again, and that is worrying after such a short time.

Both T440s and the HP screen have much higher resolution, their maximum brightness is higher, and they use LED backlights, whereas T42 uses CCFL. Could the backlight be the reason? If so, then am I doomed, as nobody seems to make CCFL screens anymore?

 

Make sure you have plenty of light in your room, don't use your notebook in the dark that`s an eye killer.

John.

 

That's quite a challenge for a slew of reasons.

Could you please post the 7-character model number of that T42 - located on the same sticker that holds the production date and the serial number on the bottom of the laptop - so some of us would get a better idea of what type of screen you're used to...

Actually, there are professional-grade standalone monitors that use CCFL(s) but they tend to be very pricey...

 

Sorry, there's no sticker with a production date under the T42. I found 3 different 7-digit codes, but I suspect none of them actually identify the specific model.

26R9947
41V9706
29R7077

I'm not sure T42 had alternative screen types. I ordered a replacement from ebay, after the original screen failed, and it was exactly the same.

 

The number I'm looking for starts with 237*, and would look something like 2378-DYU. You can also find it in BIOS.

Standard (non-"p") T42 was offered with two different screen sizes - 14" and 15" and two resolutions for each.

Those were 1024x768 (XGA) and 1400x1050 (SXGA+)

Let's try to dig out that model number, shall we? If you need instructions on where to find it in BIOS I'll be happy to help you.

 

Op, try changing the resolution for a few times. I don't know why, but it worked for me.

 

Sorry about some misinformation - apparently my laptop is actually T43 not T42. As far as I know, they should both have the same screen though. I was confused, because the replacement screen I'm using says T42 in the bottom right corner.

Anyway, I believe I found out the specific model number: UC5F1SH
It's not a common model though, as it has a scandinavian keyboard layout.

If you need some more details from the actual screen, let me know. I still have the old broken screen, and I'm happy to demolish it if needed.

Interesting. Do you mean switching between different options and going back to the native resolution, or just changing to a lower resolution?

 

Nope, that's not it.

A T43 would have a model number starting in 187* or 26**. Can you enter BIOS on that machine? Press F1 on initial boot and get to the screen where all the main info is displayed?

 

Unfortunately, I can't boot the laptop at the moment. It was having some random boot problems for the past two weeks - I suspect the known Southbridge issue on these models. Anyway, I tried to boot into BIOS a few hours ago and now it is refusing to boot up at all.

But I do know that the screen is 14.1 inches, 1024x768 pixels. I could probably get a part number from the actual screen panel if that would be useful.

 

Well, that's pretty much all I needed to know...

That screen has a very low DPI, and any screen found on T440s will have a significantly higher one.

Combined with a LED backlight that is more "aggressive" (for a lack of better word) than the conventional CCFL one, no wonder your eyes are unhappy if your vision is less than perfect.

Calibrating the screen might help quite a bit.

If it doesn't, you should look into an IPS panel with a lower resolution, such as one found on X230, presuming that machine would meet your other requirements.

Good luck.

 

High dpi can probably be adjust to in weeks, scale up the fonts in the mean while. Another part are probably glossy(t440s?) and high color temperature (white is more blue-ish)

 

Turn the brightness to 50% and swing a pen/pencil/finger in front of the screen.
If you can see the trace, it might be backlight flickering.
If you can't, good. Is your screen FHD touch or FHD non touch matte?
If it's kind of glossy touch, it might be due to reflection. You just need some time for it.

If it's matte.. eh.. I have no idea.

 

Near sighted means you can see your screen without glasses but need them for distance. If you have changed the prescription then maybe with the glasses on it is becoming hard to see up close with the glasses on. It may be time for bifocals, even if just to eliminate the lens effect for reading. the other option is not to wear the glasses while reading or on the computer.

Now if like me and have to wear glasses out but take them off for close up work then there could be other issues;

1.) LED backlights are colder and much harsher on the eye's You will want to keep the backlight down in brightness.

2.) Screen refresh can be a killer. Get a bright white background then close each eye individually and loom to the side so the screen is in you peripheral of the eye but you are looking in the distance. if you notice flickering or banding on the screen you need to get a change.

3.) Glossy screens can cause focus issues. If you have a reflection in your screen then your eye may be involuntarily switching focus between the screen display and the reflected item. This on its own will cause eye strain.

4.) Backlight bleed. This can lower contrast in sections of the screen. This besides just being annoying.

5.) it is a good idea for at least every 15 minutes to pull your eyes from the screen and refocus them to a distant object, even if without glasses and it is blurry. I actually try and do this much more often even is just for a second or two.

This was the one reason I wanted the system I have, it is a LED backlit but 400nit and most importantly 120hz. The higher refresh, at least to me, relaxes my eyes a bit more. I also have a stigmatism but with glasses am corrected to 20/10. I still though prefer no glasses as there is just less strain overall. Everyone is different though and I wish you the best on this.................