Lenovo ThinkPad T410: Built for Business
by Jarred Walton on March 26, 2010 4:00 AM ESTLCD Quality: Two Steps Forward…
...and two steps back. Wrapping up the performance and feature analysis for the T410, we have the LCD quality results. We definitely like the 1440x900 resolution and the matte surface, and we still scratch our heads and wonder why so many consumer laptops refuse to give customers a matte option—for the LCD or the chassis! The problem is that the contrast ratio on matte LCDs is slightly lower, and if you start with a low contrast LCD panel and then go with a matte surface, you end up with something like the panel in the T410.
The T410 unfortunately earns the dubious distinction of having the lowest contrast LCD panel that we've tested to date. One would think that with the higher price and quality construction, it would be easy for Lenovo to get a better panel into the mix. Then again, finding quality panels that don't cost an arm and a leg (i.e. the RGB LED backlit panels) appears to be difficult. Manufacturers are always seeking for ways to reduce BOM (Bill of Materials) costs, and with few laptops advertising contrast ratios it's an area where it's easy to cut corners. The LCD is still bright, but colors are definitely washed out compared to better LCDs.
Viewing angles on the T410 are about average for a TN panel—slightly better than some laptops that we've looked at, but nothing stellar. A straight-on view naturally provides the best result, but viewing from the side is also acceptable. For vertical angles, we found it slightly better to view from below rather than above if you've got the choice. Unfortunately, if you happen to be sitting on a cramped airline seat, you'll probably end up viewing the LCD from above, where things look very washed out.
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MrSpadge - Sunday, March 28, 2010 - link
I own a T61 since 2 years and I like it, especially the keyboard. If only I could get something like that for my desktop!However, the machine is far too noisy for my taste (7.2k rpm HDD and/or fan on lowest setting) and the screen is a completely rubbish TN. I love that it's matte (a main reason I chose a Thinkpad), but the viewing angles are so bad that the colors change upon the slightest head movement. If NEC can give us excellent 23" TFTs for 300€ I fail to see why 1000+€ laptops all have to have crappy displays.
Please keep complaining about the display quality!
Belard - Sunday, March 28, 2010 - link
I'd agree about the screen... I would have thought it would have been fixed by now.One of our guys has a T61... and it is very sharp, looks good. But when put an SL-500 or my R61 next to it, then it looks very bland for no good reason.
MrSpadge - Sunday, March 28, 2010 - link
I meant "excellent eIPS 23" TFTs".demonsavatar - Sunday, March 28, 2010 - link
Reviews of some other Thinkpads would be great, especially the X201/201s.Nomgle - Friday, March 26, 2010 - link
Jarred, do you intend to look at the new Alienware M11X anytime soon ? It fills a special kind of niche - CULV with a decent video card - I'm very interested to see what you think !JarredWalton - Friday, March 26, 2010 - link
Just got it this past Tuesday and it's next up for review. This week it will post (i.e. in a few days).beorntheold - Friday, March 26, 2010 - link
I've been working on a ThinkPad T60 for the past two and half years. My experience - the best keyboard and /the/ worst LCD screen anywhere.So my advise - if you value your eyes look elsewhere.
strikeback03 - Friday, March 26, 2010 - link
should have gotten the flexview, my boss has one and it rocks.fiki959 - Friday, March 26, 2010 - link
I understand that PC manufactures have to cut corners somewhere, but 1200+ dollar notebook should have a better screen. My 4 year old Clevo M660 machine has above 400:1 contrast ratio (LG/Philips matrix). It is not very bright around 140 Cd/M2, but is a very nice screen.I bought it for 650 euro (800$), so I think there is room for better screen in 1200 dollar T410.
juampavalverde - Friday, March 26, 2010 - link
From the side of cutting BOM, ¿isnt overkill the gpu for a business laptop? The igp from those intel cpus is fast enough for any business software, it could be weak for a workstation, but this is a laptop for everyday work, light load, quick response. and probably one chip less would give some extra time on battery.