Lenovo ThinkPad T61p LG vs Samsung Screen comparison

Okay well I have the LG on the left and the Samsung on the right.

To find which screen you have or are getting type your computer type and serial #s in here http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?template=%2Fpartslookup%2FpartsLookup.vm&sitestyle=lenovo this will give you a list of the parts used to make your individual ThinkPad next to the parts are the FRU#. So find the FRU# for your screen and look it up here http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:MMuIBd9bNfwJ:www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-68233.html+42T0323+LG&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us you should find a FRU that corresponds with the on you found and presto!


Both screens are WSXGA+TFT on identical Lenovo ThinlPad T61p

Here is the story Lenovo gets its screens from 2 manufacturers Samsung and LG. For a while the LG was thought to be superior but more recently the screens have improved and are now about equal.

These screens are NOT CALIBRATED I just wanted to compare what you get out of the box seeing as most users probably won't calibrate the screens. Nor have i changed any power setting on the screens these are simply two screens set to max brightness using the function keys.

All of these pictures were taken at a distance of 2.5ft using a Canon PowerShot A700 6.0 mega pixle camera. The room was completely dark nd the camera set up on a tri-pod. The camera was set exactly in the middle of the screens half way up both (so directly in the center as if it is just one very widescreen).

The first pic is just my desktop with a direct viewing angle. From what I saw the LG is ever so slighlty brighter and the colors are a tiny tiny bit washed out. The Samsung seems to have good color but the lighter color areas have poor contrast.
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This second pic is of the desktop with the screens tilted down. The LG seems to hold up well and the colors are still pretty accurate. While the Samsung is very washedout.
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The third pic is once again the desktop but tilted back this time. Both screens are the same here they become dark and colors start to turn black or redish.
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The fourth pic is of just the blank screen so just backlit black. The LG seems to have much less backlite bleeding while the Samsung has a bit at the bottom. HOWEVER BACKLIGHT BLEEDING VARIES WITH EVERY SCREEN! So not all LGs may have this little and not all Samsungs may have this much.
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The fifth pic is simply our beloved Forums homepage. With this white screen it is easier to see that the LG is infact brighter than the Samsung.
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The sixth pic is a purple screen for some reason I could not get it to look purple it kept coming out blue. But from what I saw the Samsung had better color the it was a darker deeper purple than the LG. However the diffrence was quite small and the LG still looked great.
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The seventh pic is of a red screen both screens look about the same it was really hard to see any diffrences. The only thing I saw was that the LG had the slightest pink tint but as I said unless you really looked for it you wouldn't notice.
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The eighth pic is a solid neon green. I actually liked the LG better with the green it seemed to be a deeper more solid green. Whereas the Samsung was slightly was out but againg the diffrence is minimal.
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The ninth pic is a solid blue. Once again the Samsung seemed deeper and darker shade of blue. And still the diffrence was minimal.
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The tenth and eleventh pics are of the desktop again to give you a horizontal veiwing angle comparison. Now The LG seemed to stand up pretty well minimal color distortion. While the Samsung grew darker as you go from side to side.
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The twelth pic is simply a screenshot to show you how the text size is on a WSXGA+ (1680x1050) screen. It is small but not too small that it is hard or annoying to read.
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The thirteenth is to give you an idea of the screen realistate not too bad I can have 2 window open and be alright you lose part of both but usually just adds along the side.
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And finally the fourtenth pic has nothing to do with this comparison at all but I was at Sea World on Thursday and took a picture of Shamu so enjoy!
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If you want more pics or different pics please tell me. If you want I will also do a comparison with the screens calibrated again just tell me.

Thank you all for reading my lengthy comparison it is now 4:13AM I am tired and I am going to sleep.

Good Night and Good Wishes

Mike

 

Nice comparison. It looks like they are pretty similar. The only thing the LG has that can't be matched with the Samsung is better viewing angles. I think everything else can be adjusted with calibration? It's good to know the recent screens are better quality.

Is there any difference in graininess? My Samsung is slightly grainy, but pretty good. My backlight is pretty even with just a little bleed on the bottom.

If you ever visit the Dell forums and view the Samsung/LG comparison there the difference is night and day (Samsung is very poor on the Dell). It was the reason I returned my M1530. Perhaps they are all different models. My T61p Samsung screen is much nicer than my Dell Samsung screen was, but they both suffered from not so good viewing angle. My T61p viewing angles are much better than the Dell's.

 

Thank you.

Now if we could get some kind of an evaluation of the 14" screen.

 

Thank you for the comparison! I will rep you up
Did you purportedly put differently scaled wallpapers on each laptop?

I will also wait for LG Philips vs. Samsung duel in WUXGA category.

 

How do you find out which manufacturer's screen you have?

Also, can anyone recommend some good free resources for calibrating your screen? On the thinkpad would you adjust your settings via the Nvidia control panel (I have the modded 8600gt drivers)? I've only had this for a couple of days now and as far as I can tell you can only adjust the screen's brightness "physically" (i.e. not via software).

Thanks.

 

The Nvidia control panel should have an option to change the brightness of the screen.

It's not the same as backlight brightness though. It just makes all colors lighter so you end up with a more washed out look.

 

Thanks Webdtc! Yes I beleive with a proper calibration the screens would be virtualy identical. Now as you said the veiwing angles on the LG where much better it held good color even at some extreme angles.

I didn't really notice any graniness in either screen but the LG seems "smoother" not really less grainy but is has a little diffrent look. As for the dells I beleive that it is Dells glossy coating that has caused so many complaintes about the screen. Mabey the "smoothness" of the LG is a physical trait of the screens surface and it takes to Dells glossy coating better that the Samsung.

Thanks James! Sorry but the only 14" I could evaluate is my dads old T41 screen

Thanks Menos no I didn't mean to have diffrent wallpapers on them I din't notice t the time>.<

Thanks Emagination it is very easy find your screen manufacturer type your type and serial #s in here http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/s...=/partslookup/partsLookup.vm&sitestyle=lenovo this will give you a list of the parts used to make your individual ThinkPad next to the parts are the FRU#. So find the FRU# for your screen and look it up here http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cach...8233.html+42T0323+LG&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us you should find a FRU that corisponds with the on you found and presto!

This is a really good calibration site http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/ just follow the instructions and you'll be able to easily calibrate your screen. You can adjust your setting in the Nvidia control panel so right click on your desktop, click on Nvidia control panel, and go down and click on Adjust Desktop color settings

 

Thanks for the reply, but I think you left out a couple url's :/

 

Okay now I got all the URLs in there!

 

Much appreciated.

 

I recently had a change to view a Samsung WSXGA+ and the LG is definitly better.

I have Zero to very little white leak on the buttom on my LG the samsung has considerable more leakage.

But the main problem is the color shift where the LG holds up very nicely, in fact i think it's one of the best screen as far as viewing angles goes. The samsung starts shifting colors almost right away.


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The LG definetly has better veiwing angles.

 

I just received my T61 today and it's not very bright at all. Maybe I'm just used to desktop LCD monitors. I ran the PC Wizard software and the screen is indeed a Samsung (LTN154P2-L05). It's set to full brightness. Can I exchange it and hope I receive an LG screen, or am I out of luck???

640m

 

What are the specs of your machine and your warranty? I think Lenovo will charge you a 15% restocking fee for the return but if you have a warranty they will tell you to send it to the depot repair and they will swap out the screen for you.

 

I have the T61 15.4" Samsung screen and the base warranty. Yeah, a 15% restocking fee kind of kills the deal. So, I'll have to see what they can do about replacing the screen.

Thanks,
640m

 

Will they swap the LCD if you send it for repair ?


I have in home service... maybe i can do that and before the guy replaces the screen i'll check which one it is....

 

I'm going to call tomorrow to see what they say. Heck, I'll even swap the screens myself if they are willing to send it. I heard the process is not too difficult.
640m

 

640M: Before you return your Samsung screen, have you tried calibrating it yet? I have a Samsung screen and when I first looked at the screen I thought it wasn't as bright too. However, I had seen a thread about how the Samsung screen was pretty much equal to the LG when viewing it normally (straight on) after calibration so I kept an open mind until I did so. After finally calibrating it to the settings that suited me (I'm pretty picky too about just how a screen looks, especially with regards to colors like red, blue, and green; I used different pictures and background screens to determine the settings for each category), I found the screen looked quite good! It was a definite improvement over the settings out of the box. I even use the laptop with the screen brightness turned down to 8-14/15 depending on the lighting conditions. I don't really like bright screens, especially on the glossy screens and if you manipulate the NVIDIA brightness to a lower setting, you might find that the screen is actually bright enough when using the panel brightness as the final setting!

I really like the reds and blues on the Samsung screen. It looks natural - like what red and blue should be. I found that editing the vibrance setting helped a lot to achieve this and it supposedly helps lower one's eye strain as well. Here are my settings:

Panel hardware brightness: 8-14; usually 13/15

NVIDIA Driver settings:
Brightness: 45% (I liked the 40%-47% range and settled on 45%)
Digital Vibrance: 30%
Constrast: 50%
Sharpening: None/Disabled
Gamma: 9%

 

Thanks, I'll give it a shot. My T61 only has the embedded graphics. Where else can I change these settings? Is there a calibration tool available for download that people are using or just go by my own eye? I have a decent high-res photo as my desktop and it looks nice and vibrant, but dim. Not sure if that is the best description, but suffice it to say, it's not bright enough for me.

 

Does the Intel X3100 have a control panel and a Display section to edit when you do Start -> Control Panel -> Appearance and Themes -> Intel Control Panel?

 

You know what else i noticed ? There's a screen door effect on the samsung. I have to pull back a little to not notice the black grid. Very annoying.

So far 4 T61 all Samsung.... sucks. I'm returning this... it also has a defect in the heatsink...

http://tel3deal.com/pics/T61/t61heatsinkdefect.JPG


I'm really annoyed.



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Unfortunately the LG panel isn't all that great either. I note some easily discernible dithering in my review.

As many have noted, it's a shame Lenovo (and other manufacturers) don't let you choose upgraded panels instead of just different resolutions - this is where manufacturers can skimp a little to appear to offer a similarly priced product as their competition.

 

The LG does have some dithering effects on very few patterns.

But all in all it's a very good LCD.


00

 

how to check ur t61p is using samsung lcd ect???

 

is there a way to ensure i get the LG when i place my order!?

 

Devilfish111 - I used PC Wizard 2008

 

It is really easy type your T61p type and Serial Number here http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/s...=/partslookup/partsLookup.vm&sitestyle=lenovo then go down and find this 15.4 INCH LCD DISPLAY FRU (yours might say 14.1"), then look at the FRU (located just to the left).

Then go here http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/s...ind=0&operatingsystemind=343518&validate=true use the pull down tab and go to display/monitor, click on the first link click on your screen type and look for the matching FRU # and there you go!

Unfortunatly no there is no way to select which screen you get

 

Good stuff Jooee, nice pics.

 

Yeah, unfortunately if you order from Lenovo Canada the parts look-up doesn't work - they are testing out a new (and very buggy) ordering system on the Canadian market (much to our misfortune) - in which case you need to use something like PC Wizard

 

my manufacturer name is AUO? wtf? i have a 15" wxga

 

That sucks but at least there are 3rd party software that still allows yall to see what you got. The new system is probably the reason for all the problems.

BTW: Nice config

 

Hi,

My new T61P is here and i have the LG WUXGA screen.

PC Wizard says that screen model is LP154WU1-TLB1

Does anyone who has this panel has calibrated it?

I really need a good ICC profile to take advantage of this wonderful screen.

Please help


Christos

 

Use the calibrator in my sig. it works quite well.

 

Hi, I have a question, I just find the "Digital Vibrance" is disabled with my T61P. How can I change it? Thanks

 

Hi 640m, Any new information about this? Will they change it? Thanks.

 

Yes, I have the same model (AUO), and was wondering what manufacturer makes this screen ? If it's not an LG or Samsung, then what other brand does Lenovo put into their Thinkpads??

 

that curious where u find this option?

I also own t61p don;t happen to noticed got this

 

It is in the Nvidia control panel

Right click desktop>Nvidia Control Panel>Adjust desktop color settings

 

Checked don;t noticed that option

by the way

I noticed if I go those website like this example

http://www.livescore.co.uk/

i noticed the background of the website seem flickering

but normal website is okie

 

AUO or AU Optronics is a Taiwan company that manufactures LCD screens for laptops & also supplies them to Dell, HP,...

 

I decided to keep it with the Samsung screen, so didn't bother calling.

 

Ahhh, I see. Thanks for that info !
Now, I wonder how that screen compares to the others (LG and Samsung). I personally have no complaints at all about my AUO screen.

 

Booo ...



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I just got my T61p today and noticed that I can't adjust the digital vibrance either. The slider is there, but it's greyed out. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks..

 

Do you have the latest drivers?

 

I'm pretty sure. It's the factory installed driver ending in .155, and dated 7/27/2007. According to the Lenovo downloads page, it's the newest, in fact it's not even listed (odd?).

Edit: I just went to Windows Update and there was a newer driver. The digital vibrance works now, and really makes a nice difference. Thanks very much Jooooeee!

 

Not a problem!

 

Jooooeee, I gave you a rep point---I would have given you five if I could. You are my hero this week.

I just bought a T61 and it will be waiting for me when I get home from Spain. This question was on my mind (about the screen debacle, since I had read so many M1530 problems) and was wondering if it was the same as Dell's. And, I am glad you posted the 1650x1080 display becuase that is the one that I chose.

 

LOL thanks techno_techie

Luckily no one else but Dell seems to suffer from Dell's grainy screens. Hope you get the LG it is nice to have viewing angles but if you do get the Samsung it still looks good so long as you look it straight on, anyways how often do you use your computer from the side?

 

Just used Everest to get the LCD part number, and Google tells me it's a Samsung. I honestly thought before I checked that it was most likely the LG. Brightness seems decent, colors (with about 40% digital vibrance) are very nice, and the image is clear and vivid. Of course viewing angles are somewhat poor, and I feel the urge to scrub the screen to get rid of the shimmer/sparkle/grainyness...but overall i'm pretty happy.

It honestly looks better to me than the LG WXGA+ screen I recently had in a Dell XPS M1530. I was expecting the worst before I received the T61p, so maybe that's factoring into my overall satisfaction. Either way, it's a keeper.