I'm thinking about dumping my M1400VA. The prima

elee532 · 07-12-2005, 01:34 PM

I'm thinking about dumping my M1400VA. The primary reason is that I can't get even close to a usable picture on an external LCD Monitor.
It's blurry and giving me terrible headaches. I've tried two highly rated LCDs (Viewsouic Vx910 and Dell 1905FP), both with the same result. Bypassing the flexdock helps some, but not enough.

Other issues, but which I am willing to live with if I could solve the problem above:

The keys on the hardtop keyboard require a super hard press at just the right angle to register. 9 times out of 10, I don't get a capital letter because I didn't press the shift key hard enough or at the right angle.

It gets quite warm (mostly worth it as opposed to the noise of a fan).

The VA Screen shows Smudges very easily and they make it hard to read outdoors or in certain indoor lighting situations.

I'm considering giving the new IBM a try. Weight is about the same, WITH an attached keyboard.

Anyone have any thoughts? there is much that I love about this tablet, but the lack of usability with an external monitor is unacceptable for the 50%+ of my work that I do while docked at my desk.

Ed Lee

krypticide · 07-12-2005, 02:09 PM

Have you tried contacting support?

jamcgowan · 07-12-2005, 02:32 PM

...I can't get even close to a usable picture on an external LCD Monitor.

I use mine with a cheap 19" LCD w/o any problems. Have you tried changing the resolution - the display font size? Are you using the "Clear Type" option with the external monitor?

The keys on the hardtop keyboard require a super hard press ...

I use a bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Works great! How about the Motion Bluetooth keyboard?

It gets quite warm...

I just purchased the bump case for my M1400VA. Heat is no longer an issue while using it in tablet mode.

The VA Screen shows Smudges very easily...

I use a WriteShield screen protector. It reduces glare and nullifies smudges w/o affecting viewability.

I'm considering giving the new IBM a try. Weight is about the same, WITH an attached keyboard.

I'm sure you will have no trouble finding a buyer for your slate should you decide to sell it.

msb0b · 07-12-2005, 02:36 PM

First thing I would check is if the tablet is driving the external LCD at their native resolution. Viewsonic Vx910 and Dell 1905FP's native resolution is 1280x1024, while M1400's is 1024x768. If you don't set your M1400 output to 1280x1024, then the LCD monitor will interpolate the image to fit on screen and cause blurriness.

Since M1400's resolution is not as high, you will end up with some panning on the M1400 at that resolution.

clarica · 07-12-2005, 05:36 PM

i think all motion 12" have a output resolution of 1280x1024...right?

elee532 · 07-14-2005, 03:38 AM

Thanks for the feedback. I haven't tried contacting support yet, but I probably should. I get such great help from the folks here at Tabletpcbuzz, that I tend to forget that Motion support even exists :-)

I have tried 1280 x 1024 and 1024 x 768 with the same results. I have also tried cleartype. While text certainly looks less jagged with cleartype, it almost seems MORE blurry.

The problem seems worst when it's black text on white or gray backgroud.

I'm using a shorter VGA cable now. This has also made a small change for the better.

jamcgowan: Which screen protector are you using?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Ed Lee

Jigsaw · 07-14-2005, 04:46 AM

quote:Originally posted by elee532

I have also tried cleartype. While text certainly looks less jagged with cleartype, it almost seems MORE blurry.

You might want to try the cleartype tuner power toy it does fine tune cleartype a little, I've just installed 10 new machines with TFTs for users and they've all selected different settings :-)

Gordon

jamcgowan · 07-14-2005, 05:22 PM

quote:Originally posted by elee532

Thanks for the feedback. I haven't tried contacting support yet, but I probably should. I get such great help from the folks here at Tabletpcbuzz, that I tend to forget that Motion support even exists :-)

I have tried 1280 x 1024 and 1024 x 768 with the same results. I have also tried cleartype. While text certainly looks less jagged with cleartype, it almost seems MORE blurry.

The problem seems worst when it's black text on white or gray backgroud.

I'm using a shorter VGA cable now. This has also made a small change for the better.

jamcgowan: Which screen protector are you using?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Ed Lee

I use a WriteShield screen protector.

A_Rubalcaba · 07-15-2005, 07:13 AM

I just had my M1300 returned to fix the "dead strip" problem and I hooked it up to my Samsung 17" Model Synmaster 770 TFT at work. The picture is great! Use it at 1280 x 1024.

Abraham