which screen protector is best?

**IronMan** · 08-01-2004, 02:26 AM

I am thinking of getting a screen protector from strong engineering. From what I hear the screen protector will help to reduce a lot of the glare that is so prevalent on my m200. Since I will be using a screen protector, I am wondering if it is possible to remove the grainy coating on the screen? Does anyone know if it can be removed? Has anyone accidentally removed it with cleaning fluids? I read a message that someone had a portion of the coating missing, but I cant find the link right now.

**justjoem2** · 08-01-2004, 03:36 AM

If you are going to use a screen protector why would you want to remove the texturing from the screen mask? The screen protector is going to isolate you from the texturing anyway.

I doubt removing texturing is going to improve apparent graininess or resolution issues. The M200 is quite sharp if run in the monitor’s native resolution of 1400 x 1050. If you are running at a lower resolution the screen print is going to appear grainy. This is true of all LCD monitors, they all look sharpest at their native (maximum) resolution. A 12 in monitor running at 1024x768 that has a maximum resolution or 1024x768 will look much sharper than a 12 inch monitor running at 1024x768 with a maximum resolution 1400x1050. A mistake that people make is buying a high resolution LCD when they don't plan to use the high resolution settings. A cheaper, lower resolution monitor of the same size will actually look better at the lower resolution setting.

You might try adjusting the Cleartype settings of your M200 at the resolution you are using. This can significantly improve font smoothing and perceived graininess.

Microsoft Cleartype adjustment website:

http://www.microsoft.com/typography/...pe/tuner/3.htm

**IronMan** · 08-01-2004, 05:20 AM

I realize that I am being picky, but when I look closely at the screen of my m200 it looks grainy. This is only noticeable when I compair my m200 to other laptops. I was so amazed how clear the other laptop was that it got me thinking about my m200. It bugs me because it has such a nice screen but it looks hazey because of this coating. I don't know for sure that the coating is causing this hase but I have read many other reviews that confirm this.

So my idea is, if I use an aftermarket screen protector the coating is no longer needed. And from what I hear the coating is only there to add a texture so that the writing experiance feels like paper and pencil.

FYI I am running it at the native resolution of 1400x1050.

**IronMan** · 08-01-2004, 05:35 AM

I also have cleartype enabled and the grainyness is still there. It is not necessarily with the type but is most visable on light colored backgrounds. It is most visable on light backgrounds but is still there on dark.

I do really like my m200. It is a fine engineered machine and the best tablet or even laptop on the market but most people would glance over this. Never the less, it is noticeable if you look close enough.

**ElCamino** · 08-01-2004, 05:48 AM

I have the M205 and don't notice the grainy screen that you are talking about.

**Gibbo** · 08-01-2004, 06:16 AM

The screen technology between the M200 and a notebook like the Sony is quite different, the M200 being tailored for pen input. The Sonys are pretty special, with the clear glass look, but as I understand it, the M200 is best of all characteristics, for a tablet. The feel of writing on the glass screen would not be like 'pen on paper' (M200) as it is too smooth.

Clear type made a difference for me. I am using the native reolution.

**justjoem2** · 08-01-2004, 06:23 AM

Iron Man

This is a link to a thread on scratch removal products that might do what you are wanting. I wouldn’t do something like this unless you are prepared to replace the screen mask if the attempt to remove the texture goes awry.

http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/to...cratch,remover

**IronMan** · 08-01-2004, 10:25 AM

Thanks for everyone's input. I think something like a polish will do what I am looking for.

**Von Iobro** · 08-02-2004, 02:17 AM

Ironman,

If you decide to use the StrongEngineering screen protector, it might be a VERY BAD idea to remove the coating off the screen. The StrongEngineering (SE) screen protector is not actually adhered to the screen except by some thin strips of double-sided sticky tape. So essentially, it is 'floating' on top of the screen.

The back of the SE is very smooth. This is just a possibility, but if you have the screen perfectly smooth (assuming you can) and you have the SE 'floating' ontop of it, you will get a phenomenon called:

Newton's rings, colored interference patterns, usually in the form of concentric circles, that can appear when two flat, transparent objects are pressed tightly together.

Most photgraphic equipment has an 'anti-Newton' coatings on the glass of darkroom equipment to combat this phenomenon.

Well, there's my two-cents.

**IronMan** · 08-07-2004, 09:52 AM

Achille, thanks for the pictures. They clarify the topic quite a bit. When you say that you do not think the "grainy screen is removable" do you think the uppermost coating that you have shown in your pictures is not causing the grainy effect, and that it is something else?

My wife and I just got back from a trip to Washington DC. It's our first anniversary. Thanks for everyone's response. I am confident if we put our heads together we can at least find what is causing the grainy effect and then possibly fix it. Well, the next step is to place an order for the screen protectors and then look into scraping the film off the screen. I will keep you guys updated on the status of my project.

Please if anyone else has any ideas please post them.

Thanks
-Matt