The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    replacement screen with good viewing angles?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by UnXpectedError, Jan 28, 2011.

  1. UnXpectedError

    UnXpectedError Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    162
    Messages:
    220
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    hey i was just wondering if there was a screen out there that you guys are using to replace the crummy stock one that has pretty decent viewing angles?

    i just hate it when the bottom half of the screen is gray instead of black :(


    thanks guys
     
    UnXpectedError, Jan 28, 2011
    #1
  2. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,354
    Messages:
    4,449
    Likes Received:
    476
    Trophy Points:
    151
    Many people have asked this before, nobody has done it.

    There are a few major roadblocks in the way:

    1) There aren't many decent 11.6" LCD panels out there that make a replacement worthwhile. Just about the only one is the MacBook Air 11.6", which is practically impossible to pry out of the chassis.

    2) Cost. You need to buy a new LCD panel, which may mean buying an entirely new laptop just to scrap it for parts (since you may not be able to find a decent LCD as a loose part).

    3) Compatibility. If you do find an 11.6" LCD, will it even work? Will you need to rewire a connector / plug? Lots of work.

    4) Risk. Doing this voids your Alienware M11x warranty. And if something goes wrong, you could end up with two dead laptops. That's a pretty expensive failed experiment that nobody has done before.

    5) Little benefit. If you really wanted a portable gaming laptop with a better screen, I would argue that it would make more sense to just buy a Sony Vaio Z. Personally, I'm willing to live with lower screen quality if it means I save $1000.

    But if you do decide to do it, please let us know. There are MANY people on this forum that would love to replace the LCD. We're just waiting for someone to be the first to try and succeed.
     
    kent1146, Jan 28, 2011
    #2
  3. euchrid_eucrow

    euchrid_eucrow Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    242
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I've placed an order for what i believe to be the compatible LG 11.6" (i've all but verified that the adapters are compatible, hopefully the timings are) screen in a matte finish with a supplier. Supposed to receive the panel in 2wks(fingers crossed, i haven't had good luck with lcd suppliers in the past.) Will post findings then.

    There's a couple of threads on this forum(AUO vs Samsung screen, i think) which discuss this very same thing. In one of them the discussion turned to using a larger screen altogether.
     
    euchrid_eucrow, Jan 28, 2011
    #3
  4. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

    Reputations:
    973
    Messages:
    2,566
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
     
    slickie88, Jan 28, 2011
    #4
  5. lino8419

    lino8419 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    did you ever run with this project?
     
    lino8419, May 18, 2011
    #5
  6. Diversion

    Diversion Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    171
    Messages:
    1,813
    Likes Received:
    1,343
    Trophy Points:
    181
    Speaking of panel quality, I have two M11x R1s.. my fiance's has a much better panel than I have on mine.. Mine's got really awful constrast.. and her's has much nicer, deeper blacks and colors look a lot more accurate. (Time to secretly swap her panel? :p )
     
    Diversion, May 18, 2011
    #6
  7. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

    Reputations:
    497
    Messages:
    1,142
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    whitrzac, May 18, 2011
    #7