x200 versus x200s screen black levels and viewing angle

I just looked at an x200 today, and it's an impressive machine. However, I was really disappointed with the black level and viewing angles of the monitor. I'm wondering if people with an x200s (led backlight screen) could let me know what they think of their screens, since I'd consider paying extra to get the x200s if it has a better screen.

As it stands, even watching some clips from hulu were a bit difficult on the x200.

thanks

 

The X200s screen is better than X200 screen, for sure. However, after I replace my X200's screen with a wide viewing angle screen, it is infinitely better than even the X200s screen.

 

I did a quick search but couldn't find any threads about replacing the screen. Could you provide any more info?

Thanks.

 

Replacing the screen requires a fair amount of effort. Zephir procured a tablet display and had to retrofit an x200s to make it fit (remove digitizer layers, tear apart the bezel, and void all warranties in the process).

If you want an extremely high quality display, and are willing to pay the small price/weight penalty, then you should opt for the x200 Tablet. It has an extremely high quality AFFS+ wide angle display. The LED models also have very good black levels, can be extremely bright (usable outdoors), and are very efficient.

 

That's a way to go, but I was fortunate enough to get a screen that wasn't equipped with the digitizer. If the screen has a digitizer, you have to be literally an expert to remove it without damaging the screen itself.
Also, I recommend genee to follow Jon's advice, and get a X200t to save yourself the hassle that I went through.
I'm the type of person who likes to tinker with things like this, although I personally don't recommend it to others who are uncomfortable about dissecting their machine.

 

If it helps, here are the technical specs:

X200- 12.1" WXGA (1280x800) CCFL-backlit, 200-nits, 250:1 contrast ratio
X200s- 12.1" WXGA+ (1440x900) LED-backlit, 250-nits, 300:1 contrast ratio

If you want add the X200 Tablet displays to the mix-

12.1" WXGA (1280x800) CCFL-backlit, 190-nit, 500:1 contrast ratio, FFS (?)
12.1" WXGA (1280x800) LED-backlit, 230-nit, 500:1 contrast ratio, IPS (?)
12.1" WXGA (1280x800) LED-backlit, 285-nit, 500:1 contrast ratio, IPS (?)

Nits are a measure of brightness, but the constrast ratio and the FFS/IPS on the X200 Tablet displays are a bit over my head.....perhaps our resident X200 Tablet pro (jonlumpkin) can enlighten us?

 

Contrast ratio is a measure betweeen the whitest whites and the blackest blacks. It roughly translates to black level, and higher is better.

IPS stands for In-Plane Switching. It is one of three principal LCD panels types (along with TN [Twisted Nemantic], and VA [Vertical Alignment]. IPS is generally considered to be the best (and most expensive) due to superior color quality, viewing angles, and color stability across the entire display. However, IPS monitors tend to have lower refresh rates than TN panels, and can suffer ghosting during high motion sequences.

FFS (Fringe Field Switching) is a variant of IPS. It's goal is to overcome the low refresh rates of standard IPS screens. The x200T CCFL model is FFS, and I believe the LED models are AFFS+ (better transmittance and brightness [ source]).