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Saturday, April 05, 2008

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Let's Clean Up The Act on Smudgy Screens

This week I’ve been lucky enough to test out several different Tablet PCs during rehearsals for our production of Driving Miss Daisy that starts performances at Wayside Theatre today. Tablet PCs, (and UMPCs for that matter), are all about note taking for me. During rehearsals I am constantly taking notes. I’ll be blogging more about my experiences with the various devices (Lenovo ThinkPad X61, Motion F5, Fujitsu P1620) and note taking software in this next week.

Last night at rehearsal though one of our staff was looking over my shoulder when I had the Motion F5 in my lap and noticed the screen smudges. They asked me if it was broken.

I’ve become accustomed (obviously too accustomed) to the smudges on the Lenovo ThinkPad when I’m in note taking mode and I guess I’ve learned to ignore them. Both the Motion and the Lenovo have a ViewAnywhere technology on their screens. Lenovo calls theirs SuperView and whatever the coating is that supposedly lets you view the screen in bright light conditions leads to the smudgy deposits that fill the screen. It is unsightly, and I’ve found the pen actually starting to drag as it passes through some of the gunk.

Again, I’ve gotten used to this, and thanks to the Shwamee Microfiber cleaning cloth I use, I’ve gotten into a routine of cleaning the screen each night or morning. But my colleague’s “is it broken?” comment drew a new picture for me last night.

Think about this OEMs. Someone sees someone using your product and decides to take a closer look. They see that smudged up screen. That can’t be a favorable impression. The explanations of why the smudges are so apparent also can’t do much to make that first impression go away when the explanation begins with “oh, that’s the technology that lets you view the screen in bright light conditions,” especially when those greasy deposits do nothing but reflect light.

This isn’t just a usability or a technology issue, it is also a marketing issue. OEM’s would be wise to look for a better way if they want potential customers to see a clear path to purchasing their product.

Tags: Tablet+PC, Motion+F5, Lenovo+ThinkPad+X61

Editorials | Warner Crocker | Lenovo | Motion Computing | Tablet PC

4/5/2008 9:34 AM MST

Let's Clean Up The Act on Smudgy Screens Comments [16] | Digg This | del.icio.us | Citations

Saturday, April 05, 2008 10:31:44 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I carry a cloth in my bag. Even used shirt tail to clean the screen.

What really smudges you, is someone, who, while eating their lunch sticks their big greasy finger on your screen and says,
What's that..."

SAM

Saturday, April 05, 2008 10:58:34 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

The smudges on the View Anywhere screen on the Motion LS800 look bad when the screen is black, but with a non-black display you don't really see them.

The cloth provided with the computer was good for only one or two uses, after which it had so much grease that it did more harm than good. I followed Motion's advice about what type of alcohol-based screen cleaner to use and I use it with a Kleenex tissue, which I then discard. I've mentioned the brand of the cleaner before but it is now discontinued and I haven't needed to find a new one yet - I'm still on my first 4 ounce bottle and I have another one in reserve.

Mickey Segal

Saturday, April 05, 2008 11:09:38 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I'm an optometrist and I use the cleaning cloths I give my patients for their glasses. They are small and are easy to keep in a computer bag. I've also used small bottles of eyeglass cleaners I dispense to my patients as well to help with the cloth and it works like a charm. I have a touch X60 and a couple wipes with the cloth, and i'm good as new.

On that same note, some of the new anti-reflective coatings we put on glasses work TREMENDOUSLY well for smudges. I prescribe Teflon coatings and they work like a charm. Maybe some of these OEMs can get in touch with the optical/spectacle industry and work out a deal.

Ben Ingram

Saturday, April 05, 2008 12:05:16 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Warner, thanks for raising this issue again, IMO it's something the manufacturers really need to address.
With my X61T, I've simply given up cleaning it - it looks an awful mess of smudges but I just ignore it - until I give a presentation and I am embarrased how horrible it looks!

Toby

Saturday, April 05, 2008 12:26:03 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

My Toshiba M200 is virtually smudge free and thats why I use it the most. My Gateway CX2620 has a glass screen and is horrible with smudges. After just a few minutes of note taking on it, the screen is covered with palm smudges. May try the "Michael Jackson white glove thing" to keep from smudging.....

David

DaveTN

Saturday, April 05, 2008 1:33:53 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I seriously thought about the glove thing,for my X61t and was this close to knitting a pair...and i AM NOT the domestic sewing type:P

I gave up, since i only see it when the screen is off...and if the screen is off i'm generally not using it.

DRTigerlilly

Saturday, April 05, 2008 3:24:47 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I use a Smudge guard "glove"when taking notes in class. People always ask me what it is, and they either come from the "what's wrong with your hand" direction, or, "whats with the Michael Jackson look" direction. At least it keeps my screen unsmudged until the screen needs "deep cleaning".

archiwiz

Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:02:08 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Both my Tilt and x61t look horrible after a few minutes use. I purchased the Shwamee cloth after reading Warner's post about it. I also ordered one of the small eyeglass cloths that I use on my Tilt and sunglasses. I keep both in my bag and if I need a quick clean, I run to the restroom or drinking fountain. Generally though, I end up letting it go for a couple days or until, as Toby said, I get embarrassed about carrying a filthy tablet around. As awesome as the tablet is, no one wants to look at it if it looks all dirty.

Cory

Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:36:50 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

the filth on your screens comes from the filth on you hands people. you really shouldn't need anyone to tell you how to fix that...

jpfx

Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:23:50 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

You guys should really invest in a screen protector, that smudge is horrible.

zunq

Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:57:16 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Well I'll be the first to admit that my hands sweat quite a bit, so I know that's where a lot of the smudge comes from. As for the screen protector, I had one on my Tilt for a while and it was just terrible. Whenever I used my phone, oil from my face would get on the screen protector and it would become slick and grimy and hold even more dust particles. It seems like the natural screen lets the oil dry faster until I can get around to cleaning it off. Whatever the case, until I can get around to cleaning the screens off, they look terrible and make some things hard to see when the brightness levels are turned down.

Cory

Sunday, April 06, 2008 8:08:15 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

jpfx...sounds more like a feeble attempt at a flame but let me explain a bit.
As a healthcare professional, I wash my hands frequently and I guarantee that you can wash your hands until your skin almost comes off and you will still secreat sweat and oil no matter what.
So that fact is, that it is not us "filthy people" but rather a normal process of bodily secretions.

David

DaveTN

Sunday, April 06, 2008 9:16:05 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Cory: Any screen protector is better than nothing from what I've seen of that X61 screen. As for what brand you apply, some are obviously better than others and this is where Warner or other GBM members with their contacts can give us some reviews.

zunq

Sunday, April 06, 2008 9:23:16 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

Here's my thoughts on screen protectors. Screens are more durable these days. That's a good thing. They don't necessarily require one but that's a personal choice and to each his/her own. A screen protector beyond the obvious protection that it can provide, also is a compromise and can cut down on viewability in certain situations. I used one on my Toshiba M200 the entire time I owned it but haven't on subsequent Tablet PCs.

My point of the post is that if you need a screen protector to keep your Tablet PC from looking like a mess when you make a presentation that is a failure on the part of the manufacturer and belies the claims that View Anywhere or Superview make.

Warner Crocker

Sunday, April 06, 2008 2:03:16 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

I don't like using screen protectors. Except for some earlier tablet pcs that scratched easier, I have yet to find a reason to use one.

Rob

Sunday, April 06, 2008 3:41:48 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)

maybe one would say that a dirty car is a usability/technology or marketing issue too? ROFL with my knickers round my ankles.

jpfx

Comments are closed.