IBM T220/T221 LCD monitors
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | June 27, 2001 |
| Defunct | June 2005 |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | High-definition LCD monitors (3840×2400 resolution) |
| Owner | IBM |
| Parent | IBM |
The T220 and T221 models are high-definition LCD displays developed by IBM and available from 2001 through 2005. These monitors offer a native resolution of 3840×2400 pixels (WQUXGA) on a 22.2-inch (564 mm) diagonal screen. Boasting 9,216,000 pixels and a pixel density of 204 pixels per inch, they significantly surpassed the standard monitors of that era, which typically had around 100 ppi, rivaling the clarity found in print media. Often referred to as "Big Bertha" in industry publications, their price point hovered near $8,400 in 2003, restricting widespread adoption. Displays with such ultra-high resolutions remained specialized until the emergence of advanced high-DPI displays like Apple's Retina display series.
IBM T220 (9503-DG0)
Launched in June 2001, the IBM T220 was the pioneering monitor to natively support a resolution of 3840×2400 pixels. To accommodate this capability, it utilized two LFH-60 connectors on its rear panel, each branching into two single-link DVI cables—totaling four DVI channels. Users had the option to use anywhere from one to all four connectors simultaneously.
Included with the T220 was a Matrox G200 MMS PCI-32 graphics card along with two power supplies. The screen was segmented into four vertical sections of 960×2400 pixels or alternatively four tiles sized at 1920×1200 pixels to achieve full native resolution, operating at a refresh rate of 41 Hz.
IBM T221
The T221 represents an enhanced iteration of the T220, featuring a single power supply and broader support for screen modes but exhibiting higher typical power consumption ranging from 111 to 135 watts. Early variants included the 9503-DG1 (equipped with a Matrox G200 MMS card and dual LFH-60 cables) and the 9503-DG3 (with one cable supporting one or two DVI ports).
Initially, the DG1 model displayed maximum resolution using four stripes of 960×2400 pixels; subsequent firmware updates introduced a mode dividing the screen into tiles measuring 1920×1200 pixels. Refresh rates at native resolution depended on how many TMDS links were active: single-link provided 13 Hz, dual-link 25 Hz, and quad-link up to 41 Hz; employing reduced blanking intervals increased these rates to approximately 17.1 Hz, 33.72 Hz, and maintained at 41 Hz respectively. Internally, the refresh rate remained fixed at 41 Hz.
The last iteration—9503-DG5/DGP (glossy)/DGM (matte)—was released in September 2003 with a native refresh rate elevated to 48 Hz. This version did not include an internal graphics card but came with an external converter box that transformed dual-link DVI input into two single-link outputs for pixel division purposes. When paired with extra single-link inputs, this converter allowed refresh rates up to 48 Hz.
For older AGP graphics cards limited in TMDS channels (such as NVIDIA Quadro FX 3000 or GeForce 6 series), utilizing the converter box was essential to achieve optimal refresh performance. Operating all four TMDS links enabled full refresh rates across all resolutions by splitting the display into four tiles of 1920×1200 pixels; this setup necessitated powerful graphics hardware like the Matrox Parhelia HR256 PCI-X card. Due to the uncommon resolution and unique connection scheme, customized configurations were often required on unsupported systems.
The Viewsonic VP2290b-3 is essentially a rebranded IBM T221 model. Production of the IBM T221-DG5 ceased in June 2005.
History
The IBM T221 originated as a research initiative within IBM’s flat panel display division at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center. In 2000, IBM Research in collaboration with IBM Japan developed a prototype TFT LCD measuring 22.2 inches diagonally, code-named "Bertha," which achieved a resolution of 3840×2400 pixels (QUXGA-W) at a pixel density of 204 ppi. On November 10, 2000, prototype units were delivered to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The commercial version, designated T220, was announced on June 27, 2001, followed by its successor—the IBM T221—in November that same year. By March 2002, IBM had reduced the price of the T221 from $17,999 down to $8,399 USD. The model 9503-DG5 became available starting September 2, 2003.
In 2001, IBM collaborated with Taiwan’s Chi Mei Group to establish International Display Technology (IDTech) for manufacturing the T221 in Japan. Both ViewSonic and iiyama offered OEM versions of the T221 under their own brand names. IDTech produced both matte and glossy finish variants. In 2005, Sony acquired IDTech’s manufacturing plant in Yasu, signaling a transition in production; eventually, the T221 was discontinued. As of 2023, five manufacturers continue producing WQUXGA panels ranging from sizes between 13.4 and 16 inches.
Rebadged models
| Manufacturer | Product(s) | Original IBM model |
|---|---|---|
| Iiyama | AQU5611D BK, AQU5611DT BK | 9503-DG3 |
| ViewSonic | VP2290b, VP2290b-2 | 9503-DG3 |
| ViewSonic | VP2290b-3 | 9503-DG5 |
| IDTech OEM Panel | MD22292B2/C2 | 9503-DG1/DG3 |
| IDTech OEM Panel | MD22292B5 | 9503-DG5/DGP/DGM |
See also
External links
- Steven L. Wright, "IBM 9.2-Megapixel Flat-panel Display: Technology and Infrastructure," IBM, 2002-03-08
- Nebojša Novaković, "IBM T221 - the world's finest monitor?," The Inquirer, 2003-03-28
- Randall Hand, "The IBM T221 on Linux," 2005-10-12
- Gordan Bobic, "WQUXGA IBM T221 3840x2400 204dpi Monitor," 2011-06-05