X220t outdoor vs multitouch side by side

[ryaske]

Hello!

Thanks to all the past posters for the information you've provided on this forum. You helped me make my decision and buy an X220t laptop. Its my first tablet and it's been GREAT. Money well spent.

Now .. the reason I'm posting. Due to an unfortunate piece of incorrect information I was given by a Lenovo sales rep (foreign guessing based on her name), I ended up with an outdoor HD laptop. I can confirm for you that outdoor HD does not support finger touch EVER (this is not what I was told).

Thankfully the great NC USA based team at Lenovo took care of me. I am returning the outdoor HD to them for a full refund once I receive the multitouch HD machine, with identical build otherwise, within 2 weeks. Well not identical .. I added the webcamera to the new one.

Anyway, This presents all of us a unique opportunity .. I will have both computers in my possession and can take a bunch of HQ pictures of the screens in both sunlight and standard light at different angles. I would be happy to present this information to all the other visitors/posters in return for the help I've received from all of you thus far.

I was thinking of cross-posting these pictures to the official Lenovo forum as well.. but based on their approach to the complaints about the digitizer (removing harmless/productive posts..), I think I will share this information on 3rd party forums only, like tabletpcreview.com

So .... while we patiently wait for my replacement PC to be built and shipped from Shanghai .. Does anyone have any special suggestions or comments for this upcoming comparison? Any special poses you want to see? :-)

[beckyb]

Looking forward to seeing some comparison pictures. I'm trying to decide between the multitouch and outdoor also!

[Steve B]

Agreed. A good comparison of direct sunlight usage would be appreciated. There's been a lot of talk about how the current x220t Outdoor screen is not as good as the old ones. Clearly, you're not comparing those 2 models, but there, actually, basically no pictures at all of the current Outdoor model. I can't really find any on the web at all that show its ability. Would be nice to see, and I'm sure it'd be very helpful for others.

[ryaske]

Hi Guys!

Well I'm getting ready to drop the old PC in the mail today. Just finished the restore to stock.

I took a bunch of direct sunlight photos. I took a few indoors as well.

I will assemble these and post them sometime this weekend.

For now, my comments:

a) If you work outdoors in direct sunlight more than 75% of the time, the outdoor model might be better for you. The Multitouch is close, but it is indeed *slightly* more reflective so it is harder to see.

b) GO MULTITOUCH. The ability to use two fingers and poke the large on screen keyboard in tablet mode is very worth the $50 less you pay for multi-touch model. Using the pen on the keyboard is faaar slower.

c) The multi-touch screen is this kind of redish-purple finish, similar to my plasma TV. While the outdoor screen is a much more natural finish that does not reflect as much (both both are VERY good about reflections compared to standard gloss screen laptop).

d) The brightness of the screens is NOT different. I would bet the underlying LCD is the same in both laptops, however I was not able to get a model number so I'm not positive.

e) the dots on the multitouch screen are not at all visible, unless you are in direct sunlight. then they reflect just like the screen, so you can see them. The multitouch is not usable outdoors, esp if you can use it in the shade

thats about it for now. Stay tuned for pictures!

[Steve B]

In e) you say that the multitouch is not usable outdoors, but then it seems like you're implying that it actually is if you use it in the shade. Was there a mistake in your post? I'm a little confused on that. I'm sure the pics will make lots of things clear, of course.

[Bronsky]

If I needed a true outdoor display, I would get a Panasonic toughbook. The lack of multitouch is a killer for the X220t. Between the 2760p and the Lenovo, it would drive me to the HP.

[ryaske]

In e) you say that the multitouch is not usable outdoors, but then it seems like you're implying that it actually is if you use it in the shade. Was there a mistake in your post? I'm a little confused on that. I'm sure the pics will make lots of things clear, of course.

Sorry, I meant the multitouch is not UN-usable outdoors.

Typo on my part.

However, it does infact depend if you are in direct sunslight, or not. In direct sunlight the outdoor HD is a better screen.

I promise I will post all the pictures I have of the comparison today ( I am saying these words so that I commit myself to post them befoer that time I still have both machines in my possession because I did not yet get the confirmation that my previous RMA is still valid (time-frame has expired due to the build-time of new machine).

Also .. clearly there are some build tolerance inconsistencies on these machines. The batteries did not fit firmly in one PC, but fit tightly in the other. And my new PC creeks and cracks when it is being handled.. Disappointing but i guess it is what it is. Modern outsourced assembly...

will post again today with the pics

[beckyb]

Hi! Do you still have those pictures? I'd love to see them. An X201t outdoor that I had didn't work out (faulty digitizer) and I'm still considering the X220t with outdoor screen if it's decent.

[Steve B]

I have to admit that I was curious as well. As things move forward, it'd be nice to see what Lenovo now considers "outdoor viewable"-- and you have comparison pics! Please post....