Lenovo T540P 1080P FHD panel -- how do I find out which one I have?

Lenovo T540P 1080P FHD panel -- how do I find out which one I have?

The display is acceptable, but some what poor on off-viewing angles. Notable annoying though is with my excellent eye sight I can see black space between pixels ever so slightly. It's more or less annoying when you have a solid color somewhere as it breaks the continuity.

I was expecting slightly better from a IPS display. It's tolerable, but not great.

 

The T540p FHD is NOT IPS. It is a normal TN panel.

You can find out which panel you have via tools like Everest, which will show up the manufacturer number and the screen model number.

 

You sure?

ThinkPad T540p Business Laptop | Lenovo | Lenovo (US)
It says:
Display
15.6" HD TN anti-glare (1366 x 768)
15.6" FHD IPS anti-glare (1920 x 1080)
15.5" 3K IPS anti-glare (2880 x 1620)

Anyways, the panel is a b156htn03.4 -- Lenovo B156HTN03.4

 

And so it begins...

 

From the Lenovo Tabbook

http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/tabook.pdf

Some: 15.6" (396mm) FHD (1920x1080) color, anti-glare, LED backlight,
300 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 500:1 contrast ratio
Some: 15.5" (394mm) 3K (2880x1620) color, anti-glare, LED backlight,
350 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 1000:1 contrast ratio, IPS

Note the omission of "IPS" from the FHD display entry.

Although 500:1 contrast ratio isn't too bad, although this says 400.

AUO B156HTN03.4 Overview - Panelook.com


for Comparison, the entry for the T440p's

Some: 14.0" (355mm) HD (1366x768) color, anti-glare, LED backlight,
200 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 300:1 contrast ratio
Some: 14.0" (355mm) HD+ (1600x900) color, anti-glare, LED backlight,
250 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 400:1 or 500:1 contrast ratio
Some: 14.0" (355mm) FHD (1920x1080) color, anti-glare, LED backlight,
300 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 700:1 contrast ratio, IPS

Again, notice the IPS designation on the FHD.

 

Ok this sucks. I called them up and basically they said I can return it and re-buy a new one off the website with the 3k display if I want IPS. That's another $200, and another delay.

Disappointed, but I might just live with it.

 

Shipping times on the T540p don't seem too bad if you did have to re-order. You could consider the T440p FHD which is IPS. A little smaller display but probably really nice and you get a normal centered keyboard

 

This might be a good option.

I have never used a 14". As an IT professional/"Geek" do you think I will disappointed at my ability to use the machine quickly and efficiently? IE: too small a keyboard, screen, etc. Or will things feel normal for me? I've only used 15" laptops my whole life -- although they have "grown" with the widescreen tradition.

I'll never use a numpad for what it's worth.

Of course one more option is the 3k IPS. Any real downsides? It's a waste of $200 for the application but other than that I suppose it would work. I just figured i'd fight too many apps to get them to work right on that resolution.

Edit: I think this might be a moot point. With the better coupon "DOORBUSTER" it's only $100 to upgarde to 3k IPS.

 

lenovo us for now ships fhd tn only panels in T540p
lenovo au ships only fhd ips only panels for both T540p\W540
more details here http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/739127-t540p-3k-panel-pros-cons-post9480825.html#post9480825
review of t540p fhd tn panel already available
still no review for fhd ips panel

 

It's the same exact keyboard on the 14", no size difference there. The chassis is a little smaller overall so may be easier to tote around, I doubt you'd miss the extra inch, especially if you got IPS in the tradeoff.

The 3k screen is beautiful and has better brightness and contrast than the FHD IPS in the T440p, so that's a good option at only $100. Plus you can spend the time getting your T540p all set up and then just clone the drive so it's ready for your new T540p when it arrives. You'll be back up and running in no time.