T61 14.1" LCD light leakage (WXGA+)

I received my T61 a couple days ago and have been busy putting it through its paces. Overall the build quality is excellent, essentially identical to the T60 line. It is virtually silent, and the performance is great as you would expect (I got a 2.0GHz CPU).

However...

The one area that makes me hesitate on keeping this machine is the large amount of light leakage from the bottom of the screen. On a black screen (e.g. bootup, blank screensaver) it is very obvious and fills 15-30% of the screen. During normal usage it makes text and images lose contrast. Furthermore, the vertical viewing angle is extremely limited, and worse, there isn't a single viewing point where I can see all areas of the screen with equal contrast. i.e. either the bottom part of the screen appears washed out, or (if I tilt the screen back a little) the top part looks dim.

I made a couple of short videos of this effect. They are of the T61 being tilted back and forth in a darkened room. Here's one with the blank screensaver: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPJt_x0AkkE

This one is the same thing but with some text on the screen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Laig8Tkydys

I usually work with white text on a black background (it's much less glaring and better on my eyes), and the light leakage is very noticeable in this case.

I have an LG/Phillips LCD (1440x900 WSXGA+), which is supposed to be the "good" one, but I guess not in this case. My question is: Does anyone have the same model (14.1" WXGA+) without this problem?

I've seen the exact same thing on a Z61t (Samsung WXGA+) and ended up returning that. The last machine I tried was a T60 15.4" LG WSXGA+ which was excellent (virtually no light leakage, acceptably bright, and good contrast).

I'm considering complaining to tech support and potentially returning this model, but if every other one has the same problem I might just go back to a T60. What do you guys think?

 

I also have the LG-Phillips WXGA+ LCD screen, and whilst I do get light leakage, it is only visible on a black screen and isn't nearly as bad as you describe your own. I still don't like it though, but it isn't bad enough to make me want to send the computer back.

 

what's the deal with the poll options? the question is "do you see light leakage?" and the answers are "Yes, there is no light leakage" or "No, there is significant light leakage" . each answer is contradictory.

 

Well I didn't vote in the poll, b/c you have your yes-no's crossed and didn't know if you left off the + on purpose or are asking about what you have, the wxga+, not wxga.

But yea that is exactly what happens on mine, except yours actually isn't so bad. Same experience as you w/the wsxga+ by LG too.

 

Please remove my choice. I accidentally press the wrong poll. Thanks

 

EXACT same issue with my screen. Don't like it at all and will speak to them on Monday about it. Not in a laptop of this cost. A $500 Acer and it's ok but not a $1394 Thinkpad.

Very frustrating. The camera doesn't function either because there are no drivers for it. Come on. I waited 6 weeks for this?

 

Thanks for your replies. I don't know whether to be glad or upset that I'm not the only one. I agree that this is not what I would expect from a "business-class" laptop. Even some $700 consumer models have better screens. I'm really torn about sending this one back too as it's pretty perfect in every other way. It looks like it's an inherent issue with this model and LCD size, and not just a manufacuring defect though.

Sorry about the poll choices. I screwed up! Late night.... I guess I mixed up the descriptions (should be Yes - I see significant light leakage...). Anyone know how to edit / remove a poll?

 

Funny you mention a $500 acer... i bought one for my parents and used it for a couple of months before and it probablly was the best screen i've used in a while (though it was only WXGA)

 

My screen has some light leakage at the bottom, as well.. but not nearly as much as in your videos.

 

I think the poll should be deleted or redone, it doesn't make any sense.

 

YES and NO answers should be switched in the poll.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPJt_x0AkkE

WOW, that's horrible, especially considering the price of the laptop.
The cheaper brand nowdays get better displays.

 

Mine has a little bit of leakage, but only visible on a black background. It's only leaking at where the task bar is.

 

Is the 15.4" LCD as bad as the 14.1"?

 

Has anyone successfully called tech support on this issue? Do they recognize it as a problem? I'm debating on whether or not to ask for a replacement, and gamble that the new screen and other components (e.g. keyboard) come out ok.

Maybe I should just accept that the screen is less than perfect. Everything else seems ok.

 

DHL picked up my T61 today. Lenovo has been excellent on the phone. A replacement will take 3 - 4 weeks or a repair will be back to you in 3 - 5 days. I'm first trying the repair route. We'' see.

Lenovo pays the freight to and fro on the repair.

 

Thanks for the info Greggie! I'm going to try the same thing.

 

greggie and RedBaron,

It's been a while since you decided to send back your T61 for repairs on the LCD. Did you actually follow through with that? If so, were they able to fix it?

Thanks!

 

Note that it's hard to compare your own display to the OP's video unless you do so in similar conditions using identical camera settings.

The non-Flexview LCDs used in thinkpads (I imagine the T60 one you liked was a 15" flexview, which they no longer make) has always been a bit blah in terms of contrast and viewing angle, compared to many other manufacturers. It's one of the things I wish they would let you change by option.

 

I sent it in on Tuesday and just got it back today. I have to say, DHL is FAST and their pickup is very convenient. Turnaround was 4 days total. That's the good news. On the other hand, technical support basically did nothing even though their included note claimed that they had. The screen and light leakage is as it was before.

FYI, their note says:

"...
Part Description
Planar Card
Bios / Embedded Controller updated prescribed on IBM support page were performed on your machine to ensure reliability and performance efficiency."

So, no they did not replace the LCD.

Greggie, did you have better luck?

 

So now the question is: is their light leakage on the 14.1" WXGA?

 

There seems to be a trend with people on this forum not being able to properly create a poll.

 

I think it's due to the metal anguish caused by Lenovo's increasingly stupidity.

I really hope I love my stupid thing when it FINALLY arrives (it's only been 9 weeks, but who's counting), but I'll likely never, ever order from them again.

 

I received mine back in 8 days. It arrived with a replaced lcd panel that only worsened the light leakage issue. (I now believe it is a chassis design flaw more than a component defect). The new LCD panel was covered in greasy fingerprints (couldn't tell if it was from a Big Mac or KFC) and the rubber caps placed over the screwheads were damaged from the tech using a screwdriver too aggressively in removing them. The integrated camera still didn't work.

I have since sent it back to Lenovo for a full refund as promised by the IBM rep. However, they received the unit on Monday at 9:30am and I just got off the phone with them now on Friday at 4:30pm (after a 30 minute wait) only to be told that it takes 5 - 8 business days before the "refunded amount" will be disclosed in an email to me. There was now no promise of a full refund only "an amount to be disclosed". They also stated that they do not send a confirming email upon receipt of the returned item.

We'll see by Wednesday but they are clearly backing off from the "full refund" as the process grinds along. I am no longer impressed with Lenovo's service. The long wait (incoming call/number is no doubt tracked and dumped into the long wait line) and rudeness is now the norm once you decide to return the unit.

The 21 day full refund policy is under suspicion right now. We'll see if they live up to their claim.