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Thursday, April 03, 2008

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My Biggest Disappointment With the Dell Latitude XT Tablet PC

- Rob Bushway

I have to say, I've been quite impressed and pleased with the Latitude XT. Everything, except for the weight and thickness due to the DLV option, has been exactly what I expected - except for the screen, and that has been a big disappointment to me.

I mentioned in my unboxing InkShow video that there was a graph paper type of grid, with an almost orange type of tone, on the screen, that is apparently the N-Trig digitizer. I don't recall seeing a grid like that on any other tablet pc, except for maybe when I tested an early prototype of Motion Computing's LE1700 WriteTouch, which also used the N-Trig digitizer.

The grid is clearly viewable when the screen is off, dim, or when viewed at different angles. It is not readily viewable when the brightness of the screen is turned up medium to high. It bugs me because I'm not used to seeing something like that on the screen, and it shows up at all types angles (imagine holding the tablet in portrait mode, for example). I've tried to capture it on camera, but it is very hard to photograph. I'm going to try and capture it on video when I do my detailed InkShow. If I didn't like the XT so much, it would almost be enough for me to request a refund or a replacement unit if this in fact a defect. I'm teetering back and forth on that decision right now. It is that much of distraction that I would almost call it a defect. What I want is a clear screen, and I don't want to be distracted by this grid layer that shows itself at various angles and at various brightness levels. I could see this really bothering someone who worked outdoors because that is when the screen is normally dim.

I'll be contacting Dell Tech Support and N-Trig tomorrow to determine if this issue is related to the DLV option only, or if it is an issue with both models (DLV and LED). If it is DLV only, I'll be requesting the LED model instead. If it not, we'll see....

What is quite odd is that when I spoke with Dell Tech Support yesterday about the grid issue, he knew the issue I was talking about and said "Yes, that is the digitizer", like it has been brought up before. Based on comments I'm reading, it doesn't sound like the LED screens have this issue. Guess I'll find out for sure tomorrow. Bottom line - I don't like it and if this it the way they come, I'll be returning it.

The below pictures are my best attempt at capturing this grid. Click them to view higher res shots. I'll try to get some clearer pictures tonight or tomorrow.

Hardware | Dell | Tablet PC

4/3/2008 4:25 PM MST

My Biggest Disappointment With the Dell Latitude XT Tablet PC Comments [25] | Digg This | del.icio.us | Citations

Thursday, April 03, 2008 4:30:36 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Pics are well done.

I can see what you don't like about that!

Cuhulin

Thursday, April 03, 2008 4:34:17 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Hadn't realised how noticeable the grid was Rob. I feel your pain. I'm using a Toshiba M200 and they have a film over the screen that I've heard can be removed to give a much better viewing experience. I'm used to it now but it did cross my mind on numerous occasions to remove it. Unfortunately for you there is absolutely no way you could remove the grid. If its causing you that much of a problem I'd contact customer support. It may not be a problem when inking (the grid could actually help with handwriting neatness) but I'd hate to be watching a video file with it distracting me.
Hope you get it sorted, Jon

JonGH

Thursday, April 03, 2008 4:34:24 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Does anyone know whether this problem exists on the LED screens?

Maybe your contacts at N-Trig would know.

Cuhulin

Thursday, April 03, 2008 4:49:47 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Perhaps that's a limitation to their duosense technology. From what I remember, did the writetouch not use both wacom sensor and the ntrig digitzer? The ntrig sensor only replaced a resistive touch screen's functionality. Ntrig's stylus tracking is definitely different than your average capacitive touch sensor; it requires an extra set of sensors to act as a baseline for tracking capacitance. I guess doped glass just doesn't cut it when a stylus is involved; it needs grids of conductive material.

Howard

Thursday, April 03, 2008 4:56:18 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Ugh that looks horrible!

Chad Essley

Thursday, April 03, 2008 5:28:44 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

My X60 has tiny dots arranged in a grid that I assume are part of the Wacom digitizer, but they are invisible except direct sunlight.

Brian

Thursday, April 03, 2008 5:42:06 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I can see them, and that would distract me...

David Howard

Thursday, April 03, 2008 5:44:41 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

That is crazy! I would be returning it...

ouzome

Thursday, April 03, 2008 5:56:13 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Is that a new type of screen charges from the sun? ;)

zunq

Thursday, April 03, 2008 6:18:50 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

No that you've posted photos, and I can see how noticeable the grid is, I can tell you with 100% certainty that my LED screen does not have the same problem. It is clear across the screen.

Dave

Thursday, April 03, 2008 6:57:16 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I would definately ask for my money back. That grid really sucks.

Travis

Thursday, April 03, 2008 7:46:08 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Boy that is just wrong and ugly. Return it and get a loaded M700 or X61. For the price it is just unacceptable

JDR

Thursday, April 03, 2008 8:29:59 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

@brian
The Wacom digitizer sits behind the display so it's not visible.

DanT

Thursday, April 03, 2008 9:04:36 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I didn't really notice the grid on our XT unless the screen was off. I was more concerned with the "jitters" that made click-and-hold difficult. I was still sad to give it back to the folks who will be using it.

MiniMage

Friday, April 04, 2008 1:36:00 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Hi- I'd really appreciate to hear what what the experience is with the screen switch on and not off. Does this grid show up when the screen is powered up - i.e. when being used? As I plan to keep the tablet in a bag when its switched off I don' really care if there is a slight grid markings. More importantly does this design improves the responsiveness of the touch features- maybe that's why the grid is in front and not behind the display?

Jock

Friday, April 04, 2008 1:45:11 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I have a desktop LCD resistive touchscreen that is gridded like that. It's very bright, so the grid isn't very noticeable. It is very vary accurate for touch, which I do like--enough to ignore the grid feel to the screen

cphickie

Friday, April 04, 2008 2:35:53 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I have the LED-version. When the pc turned on I can see the grid but only under an very large angle (black background).

Piet

Friday, April 04, 2008 2:56:25 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

@jon

When i had my M200 I removed the film, tok me about 5 mins to carefully peel it off. I much preferred it and the screen looked fantastic, HOWEVER, you will end up with a VERY glossy screen which may be distracting due to the high reflectivity.

Gavin Miller

Friday, April 04, 2008 5:52:47 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Sorry it bothers you, Rob, but since you say you don't really see it when the screen is turned up to 50% - 100% brightness, I don't think it would bother me at all.

sbtablet

Friday, April 04, 2008 6:42:28 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

For the record, I've also noticed the gridding on my XT, but it doesn't bother me at all... Not even a little bit.

There are a few factors in play, for me. First, the gridding is a lot like fingerprints on an anti-reflection screen; it's not really visible when the screen is lit up. Second, I tend to adjust my screen brightness for optimum viewing wherever I am; when I adjust for ambient light, that's virtually always bright enough to make the gridding a non-issue. Finally, I understand the design trades that N-trig was likely faced with when they designed their digitizer, so I understand that the screen CAN'T be "perfectly clear." Some visual artifacts are inevitable with the set of technologies that N-trig has chosen. The trick is to make these distractions relatively insignificant. I think that N-trig has done that; Rob apparently disagrees...

Steve S

Friday, April 04, 2008 7:41:38 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I have a Motion LE1600TS, and there are tiny holes all across the screen that are invisible 95% of the time, though I do note you can hear the pen hitting the dots when you do a strikeout motion...

I think the grid on the XT would be like having a dead pixel on the screen. Sure, it's only one pixel some might say, but knowing it was there, I'd be constantly looking for it and thus be aggravated by it. But... that's the trade-off with the N-trig, no doubt.

Donovan

Friday, April 04, 2008 8:08:24 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Crestron displays that I have at work has this grid as well (it's capacitive touch), but it's more diagonal. It's only visible when the display is off or if it is on a black display, when it's displaying an image, for example the Crestron OS it's hardly noticeable.

SimsHsia

Friday, April 04, 2008 8:16:28 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

That has been my experience, too. However, I've noticed that it is also visible when viewed under fluoroscent lighting. However, when running applications and at most normal angles, it is hard to pick up. when you move your head and begin looking at it at various angles, especially under fluorscent lighting, you can begin to see it, even when applications are running.

I'll be speaking with Dell support this morning, getting some comments from N-Trig, and hopefully someone on the XT team to discuss it.

Rob

Friday, April 04, 2008 8:29:45 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

That's - without any doubt - the digitizer (just take a look at the N-Trig patents regarding mode of operation), and I can't imagine any difference between DLV and LED. Maybe it's more a matter of individual perception? Some kind of conductive material is absolutely necessary to enable capacitive sensing, and it's almost impossible to get that without visible interference...

Capt

Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:45:13 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I have an LED version, been using it in bright sunlight for some good 3 hours just now and didn't notice them.

I have noticed them before when looking at bright white backgrounds or dark grey applications at odd angles and unusual lighting.
I know what you're talking about 'I've seen them :P' so to speak.
And you've done a remarkable job of capturing it on the photos
> however I don't think I've ever seen them quite as prominent on my device as I have in your picture.

I'm extremely picky about such things myself
Maybe fluorescent guy is right.
From my POV all I can say is:
If you're not bugged out by the 'mad blue tint', silent but noticable fan and good deal of heat on the XT already - then your (or DLV version's) Ntrig sheet must be more notical than common as it is.

btw. Has anyone notice how the display has just one bad viewing angle ? > if you look at it from 'below the side' where the keyboard is located or the grips side in Tablet mode, funny.
Otherwise stunning

slimjim

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