Lenovo ThinkVision L201p 20-inch LCD reviewed

What does $800 get you from Lenovo these days? Turns out, on the display front at least, it'll get you a 20-inch 1600x1200 LCD that can pivot 90 degrees and that's about it. Want speakers or extra USB ports? Not here. Want software to rotate the image as you pivot the display? it'll cost an extra $35. It's not surprising, then, that PC Mag  gave the display lukewarm review, saying that even die-hard ThinkPad/ThinkCenter fans might "want to think twice before making the leap with this monitor." Hey, at least it has a classic IBM logo on the top. That alone might make it worth something in a few years, when Lenovo's deal to keep using the brand expires.

[sarcastor @ Feb 15th 2006 8:46PM]

why in the world would you pay $800 for a 20" LCD when you can pay the same for a dell 24" with tons of connection options and 4" more of real estate? Or even a third less for the samsung 204T or 2005fpw?

[Totalfixation @ Feb 15th 2006 8:52PM]

Why does it say IBM on the screen, i thought they only bought out the think trademark?

[rollotomnasi @ Feb 15th 2006 9:29PM]

Lenovo is making it hard for fans of their products these days. When a rep called me back last week to sell me 10 T60's (I made the request 2 weeks prior - that 24 hour callback works well!) the rep told me I could expect to see them by the end of March, possibly mid-April. Oh - and that's if I wanted one of their convoluted configurations. If I wanted to customize (which I have to because - surprise surprise - the wizards over there never have an advanced configuration that's worth jack) I'd have to wait a few more months. Of course I could always purchase a Pentium-M based notebook instead.

When pressed for an explanation his response was 'we have an extensive Q&A process, we don't release anything unless it's thoroughly tested.' Ok - these decisions are of course well over the reps pay grade - but come on. Ridiculous. This is hard to swallow when other manufacturers can get me a properly equipped notebook in 7 days or less.

So.. it's no surprise that the LCD is junk. Who would pay $800 for a 20" display these days? I paid less than $800 for my Dell 24" display that has all of the bells and whistles.

I was initially upset when I read that Lenovo was purchasing the brand and then things seemed to go well for a while. Lenovo may be using the same support centers as IBM but the service level has dropped markedly. The product quality seems to be the same - if you can GET the product.

Thanks, I'll pass.

[Tom Carstensen @ Feb 15th 2006 9:32PM]

real estate == pixels not screen size.. a 24" monitor better be showing me at least 1920 x 1080.. at least this 20" er is 1600x1200 -- most 17-20" ones are only 1280 x 1024

[Jon Brewer @ Feb 15th 2006 11:00PM]

Am I the only one who loves the idea of NOT having random junk (speakers, usb, etc) on the monitor? I want my monitor to be nothing but a screen and controls. Props to IBM for at least staying true to a true monitor, even though it's on the steep end of the pricing scale.

[Eric M @ Feb 16th 2006 1:19AM]

Samsung has a really nice 20 incher with 800:1 contrast ratio, 5ms rt, for like $550. I don't see where they thought they can get away with that price.

[Juergen @ Feb 16th 2006 3:38AM]

What for do you need this software? I've got a Dell FP2005 and the pivot functionality is right in the gfx card drivers. I have seen these pivot options in ATI, Nvidia, and Intel drivers.

[Galley @ Feb 16th 2006 8:59AM]

My Gateway FPD2185W (1680 x 1050) was only $539.99, and it includes the 90-degree rotation software, and also has PIP, and five inputs (DVI, VGA, Component, S-video, Composite).

[RaslDasl @ Feb 16th 2006 4:18PM]

They bought the Think* name for good, the rights to use IBM for 5 years.

[Sean Shrum @ Feb 16th 2006 5:57PM]

Picked up a Dell 2405FPW 24-inch wide aspect flat panel monitor w/ 3 yr warrenty about 2 weeks ago from Dell for $820 (pre-tax) with free shipping + swivel/tilt/rotate + 2 usb ports + built-in card reader + 1900x1200 res...solid monitor with a ton of input ports! I ordered it Sunday night, got it the following Tuesday; 2 freakin day delivery! I use it for work...right...work. Just checked out Dell's site; price is back up to $1100 [http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=24053YR&cs=19&c=us&l=en]. Watch the Dell site for the sale to come back (this was the second time I've noted the price drop).

[John @ Feb 18th 2006 8:37AM]

Nice improvent from the Lenovo L190 19" LCD Monitor. Same cabinet design, but the resolution is much lower (1280x1024) on the L190.

[Mike Collins @ Mar 2nd 2007 5:20PM]

First of all, your information is not accurate here. The Lenovo website sells the L201P for $499, not $800. The MSRP is $799, but if they don't even sell it for that, its not really fair to say that's what you get for $800. Second, all of the comments have been comparing apples to oranges. I am pretty sure this LCD uses an S-IPS panel, since its predecessor (L200P) did.. the LG.Philips panel. S-IPS panels are designed for photo editing, and if you compare like products, you'll find this price is in line, and in some cases on the low end of the scale for S-IPS monitors... one of the NEC 20" S-IPS LCDs sells for well over $1000, street price. The monitor also comes with a 3 year warranty, which Gateway charges extra for. The only other 20" S-IPS LCDs in this price range are from Dell and HP, and both of them have been playing panel-lottery by shipping some with non S-IPS panels under the same model number... making it a risky deal to buy one. I still have not confirmed the S-IPS, but I am pretty sure it is the case.