display on thinkpad t520

I'm pretty sure I want matte screen because I hate glare but as I understand it, you need to be right in front of it for a good display. Normally that's fine. But I was wondering what if the laptop is on the counter (or table) and you're standing up, if you lean the screen back to read text does it still come out clear? I'm asking because I'd want to put my recipes of the laptop and use it when I'm cooking (instead of writing everything down then typing into the pc and printing it out as I do now).

 

Uh, what? That applies to glossy screens mainly as reflections get worse as you move away from the perpendicular (actually, all glossy screens I've used had pretty bad reflections even when I was in front of it, but that's another story). The side to side viewing angles are pretty average for a TN panel, while the top to bottom viewing angles are again pretty average for a TN panel (which means, pretty poor). You can tilt the screen back a full 180 degrees, to compensate for the lack of the vertical viewing angle. So to answer that question, yes, the text comes out clear if you adjust the screen correctly. Otherwise, colours start inverting and while things can be legible still, it is better to have it at the right angle.

 

It should be fine, sometimes I have to take my ThinkPad out to sort some things out in the car engine bay and the screen is perfectly readable with a few adjustments of the lid so I don't think you have much trouble using it in the kitchen.

 

If you get the 1366x768 screen, viewing angles will probably be worse than otherwise, because most 15.6" 1366x768 screens are junk.

If you're at all concerned about screen quality, make sure you get at least the 1600x900 display.

 

Yep, various T510/T520 users have confirmed that the 1600x900 and especially the 1920x1080 screen have better viewing angles than the 1366x768 panel. Generally, though, the usage that you're describing shouldn't be a problem.

 

I find the viewing angles on my T520 with HD+ 1600x900 screen to be very good. As long as you adjust the tilt of the screen reasonably, you will have no problem viewing it in the kitchen while cooking.