New R61 LCD Issue

I finally received my R61 and I love the build and keyboard on the thing. I think I do have a problem though. On my LCD there are faint, horizontal single pixel lines every 3 or 4 vertical pixels. It's most noticeable on solid, specifically gray backgrounds, ie: Window backgrounds and scroll bars. It's noticeable enough that I saw it almost immediately after starting it up. It was there in Vista as well as in the current Windows XP install. If I reduce resolution the problem stays and does not scale with the resolution. I'm fairly confident it's not a driver issue.

This is a 14.1" WGXA+ with a 42T0412 panel. Is this a common problem? Is it worth sending in for repair or do many of the panels suffer from this problem? I am fairly certain the 15.1" T61 and the X300 at work do not have the issue.

It took nearly a month to get the thing here. If I depot it, will I be without a laptop for another month? If that's the case, is there a penalty for returning a damaged laptop?

 

I've uploaded a photo crop illustrating the issue:



What I'm really hoping for is someone who can tell me if this standard for their screens? Should I bother with the depot or just eat the 15%.

Thanks,
Mike

 

I don't see anything wrong...

Does anybody else?

 

I don't see the problem.

Are you running 32 or 1 bit color?

 

same here.

It looks pretty good to me, actually.

 

I suppose it's hard to illustrate since a large image drowns out the lines and a macro image makes them too large so here's a second attempt.

The images on the left are from the R61 at its default values (yes mine shipped bright and hued blue) the images on the right are similar shots from a Samsung 712n, an old and rather unimpressive TN based panel.



And in the flat areas:


To me it's pretty apparent the left shot's pixels lack uniformity with each horizontal row differing in brightness.

 

I'm running 32 bit color. Problem is there in both 32 and 16 bit settings.

Thanks,
Mike

 

@LilMikey

I don´t see anything either! What resolution are you driving at your R61?
It seems your Samsung 712 has got a better one.

Greets

 

Is it possible for you to circle the issue in the screenshots you took?

 

And here's a wider shot showing two lighter rows:

 

I don´t see a problem.

It may be, the screen disappoints you in regard to your Samsung screen?

 

Well, I can't really circle them since they're horizontal lines that span each image. What I did here was take the R61 'flat area' image above and offset it by one LCD pixel down. Then take the darker of the two values eliminating the lighter row and replacing it with the darker row. The left is what a uniform screen should look like, the right is what it does look like.



Notice the faint lines in the right image? That's the issue. It's more intense in image shadow areas and other dark contrasty places but still quite visible on the desktop. If you'd perform this exercise on the 712n image above it would look practically identical to the original.

 

This is actually the real root of my question. Is this standard for R61 screens and I should expect no more and will likely receive no better from Depot, or is this an anomaly that can be repaired.

It's the choice between slogging through Depot shipments or dropping a 15% restocking fee.

 

I think you shoud turn it back, when it bothers you to this extend and you
can´t live with it one or two years.

But i think the screen isn´t faulty.

Greets

 

I just edited your pictures a little (it looks like one picture).

It looks alright too me. I think you just toooo picky about the screen If you needed to zoom that close to show us how bad the screen is, I think it should be fine. But as Agoothelf said, if you think you can't live with it, just return it

 

Don't see anything unusual either. My R61 has the same LCD as yours and I didn't noticed anything wrong with it. Maybe this is subpixel rendering what bothers you? Does this problem occurs on all brightness settings? Maybe as Agoothelf said, you are just accustomed to your old screen?

 

I'm sorry, pal, but I can't see a thing.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think the problem bothers me more because I don't see this issue with any other LCD I look at. If every (or any other) panel I've seen exhibited the problem I would probably just shrug it off; but I work in IT... I see a lot of panels in a lot of places (there are no less than 6 in my house right now) and for *my* panel to be inferior, even as slight as it is, will likely bother me.

That said, 15% restocking is harsh so if the consensus is there is nothing wrong with the panel I'd split the 15% with any interested buyer. The thing is 3 days old and has 2 year depot service.

 

Well, maybe it's the pictures you're taking. Surely photographs that close are different to what's seen from the eye.

 

I didn't need to zoom that far but that's where it was most pronounced for me. I'm on a pretty huge panel at the moment. Here are the same images scaled back a little:

 

OK, here's the last best illustration I can come up with...

What's going in is I took a larger crop of the images above and blurred them horizontally so that the rows of pixels formed lines eliminating vertical pixel spacing. I then overlaid the uniform (left) over the actual (right). This highlights the difference in intensity of alternating lines and is more representative of what I see in the panel.



I did NOT increase contrast for effect. The right image is straight out of the camera with a horizontal blur.

 

Could it be a resolution issue? What is the resolution set to?

 

Native, 1440x900. Changing resolution does not scale the pattern, it's still every other pixel.

 

My R61 14.1" is WXGA+ also and I see difference between those halfs. I would say that maybe you should really send it back if it really looks like on that photo?

BTW you have quite good camera to get such quality

 

Yeah, I'm a programmer by day and a wedding photographer by night.

Thanks.

 

with the picture above, it showed much clearer LilMikey Can you also capture the picture of the whole screen like the one below, just to see if it's noticeable.

 

Hello gnuh,

It is definitely not noticeable from that distance in a web-resolution image. A full 10mp images from the camera might show it a little. There's only a hint of it when sitting a normal distance from the screen, particularly in shadowy areas and dark gradients near the top of the screen. Moving closer you can see it a little better. It's tough to get a wider low res shot that shows per-pixel intensity differences without a drastic moire effect.

Regardless, I think I'm packing it up for 'something different'. Even without the screen issue that sparked this thread, I'd still like something a tad more portable. I'll miss the build quality though and I doubt I'll find the same value for dollar. I'm seeing if anyone wants to split the restocking fee in a sell thread here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3523181#post3523181.

Otherwise, back to Lenovo it goes.

If anyone has a personal interest in this issue and would like additional shots or full resolution shots illustrating the effect, just yell and I'll gladly do the legwork. Make it quick though as I'm only keeping it around a couple days at most.

Thanks to everyone for their insights and opinions.

Mike

 

You know LiLMikey you shouldn't have to pay a restocking fee if you tell Lenovo that the screen bugs you.

Usually all companies, Lenovo, Dell etc will charge a restocking fee if you just call them up and say you don't want the computer without any valid reason. All the reasons you stated sound valid although honestly I can't see anything wrong either.

Just call them up and tell them what's wrong with the screen, tell them you work in IT and have many screens at your disposal and none of them exhibit that type of screen problem.

They will probably take it back if you tell them your not happy with the quality of the screen. If they balk at the idea you could ask them if they'll allow you to get something else.

 

Thanks, I'll give them a call in the morning but from what I've read they are pretty strict with the 15% thing.

 

Oh well, I just read that you're a photographer and that's why you're so sensitive about screen

Yeah, Lenovo is really strict about returning. sorry but I have to say there's small chance that you won't be charged restocking fee. However, I still recommend you give them a call. But before that, get out a piece of paper and list all the reasons that can possibly give you advantage, of course the main reason still is the screen problem Prepare those pictures to give to CS if necessary. Maybe if you get lucky and talk with a wise CS, there will be no problem for you. Good luck!

 

Oh, how much did you pay for the laptop?

I just saw your specs and it's almost exact to what i'm going to order in a month or so. The difference is I just want a 4 cells battery, a webcam bult-in, CD burner and maybe a finger-print.

 

That's correct but that's usually applies to those who come up with a bogus excuse. Your's sounds very legit especially given the type of work you do. Like I said it's worth a try and you can always speak to a supervisor and if you get no where you can always ask them if you upgrade to another machine. That usually does the trick.

 

Have you called them, LilMikey?

 

Crap, no. I was stuck on site until 6:30 then straight to a swim meet. Didn't get in until a few minutes ago. It'll have to be tomorrow.

 

Take your time. We ain't going anywhere.

 

there's hope for you here

 

Talked to Lenovo this morning. If I send it to their GA facility and they determine the problem cannot be repaired then they will return without restocking.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time for that and my guess is they won't even see the problem and will end up sending it back exactly as it is now. Back to the BST thread I suppose...

 

I can see it. Your screen looks like a plaid pattern, whereas the other screen looks like a bunch of dots.

 

I have the same model and i am experiencing the exact same issue. Actually this was the reason I just logged on here now. Mine seems to be temporary though. It doesn't happen consistently, just when i use funny screen savers and display settings and the such. It also only happens when it comes on from sleep sometimes

 

I think I noticed this issue as well on my R61i. I have noticed that in Vista (Xp was preinstalled), the whites in windows have this grainy spotted texture to it. It's weird, like braveally said, it comes and goes. I thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me, but in XP, I have not noticed anything unusual; whites look nice and clean. I think I suspect dithering issues.