1420 - Grainy Screen

Hi all, received my new notebook with the anti glare (matte) screen. (1280 x 800). I'm happy to report that this screen is much much nicer without the grain I experienced before. I received a SEC3157 (Samsung) display. It's a keeper.

 

Tell me about it....I had LPL on my HP notebook, and it was awesome. Unfortunately, it ran too hot and I am sending it back.

 

hey guys
pls help me out here
i am looking to buy a 1420 in canada
i get these 3 options for the lcd display:

• Glossy, high contrast, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
• 14.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA LCD Display
• 14.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA+ TrueLife LCD Display

1st and 2nd are the same price and third costs 50$....
can you pls tell me which one has the most 'grain' problem and which one has the least...
i figure that the 3rd has no 'grain' problem, because its costlier..
but what are your thought about the first two?
will appreciate any opinions...
thanks!

 

It doesn't matter which option you choose, it just depends on who the screen is made by which you initially have no control over. You should select the screen that you think you'll like. For example, get the anti-glare if you think you'll be in places where there will be a lot of glare on your screen. If you want to fit more content on your screen, then get the wxga+. I prefer 1280x800 myself so I can read text easier.

Cheers.

 

how is it grainy

 

Perhaps you've been lucky enough not to have seen one of the grainy screens, or you just don't notice it as some don't. However, if you're like me, and many others in the thread and throughout the forums you definitely notice it when it's there.

It's been described as a sparkly or grainy effect, which washes out a lot of the whites and makes your eyes very unhappy. That's the best I can really describe it.

Cheers.

 

I guess my E1505 will be the last Dell laptop, I was gonna try to get my sister a 1420 for when she goes to college. Was hoping the grain problem would be solved.

The grain is really noticeable in white areas like gashbaugh said. The color isn't even and its kinda weird. Its like you got dust on the screen.

 

I am very happy with my new Inspiron 1420. That said though, my friend came into town and stayed with me this past weekend and brought with him his 6 month old Inspiron 1705. Though I'm hesitant to admit any substantial negativities with my new machine, I must say that his screen was noticeably better than mine. Just to test it out for a better sampling though, we decided to check out a Dell kiosk at a local mall. There were functioning floor models of each of the new Inspiron line (1420, 1520, 1720) as well as an XPS 1710. The XPS's screen appeared identical to my friend's E1705, as would be expected, but the new 1720's screen was markedly less appealing. The same was true of both the 1520 and 1420 display models, all utilizing glossy screens, and in the case of the 1420, WXGA resolution (I didn't check on the other two). There are 3 main points worth noting when comparing the screens of the new Inspiron line with those of the previous generation:

1) The new line suffers from very poor vertical viewing angles. The horizontals are for the most part excellent however. Again, I love my new laptop, but even on mine, finding the perfect center viewing angle can sometimes be problematic due to the vertical viewing angle issue, and is likely exacerbated by the following as well:

2) Uneven back lighting. There seems to be only a single source of lighting in these displays and it resides at the very bottom of the panel. This apparently single CCFL produces a very noticeable white glow of around an inch in thickness at the bottom of the screen, starting right above the plastic bezel that encompasses the panel at the bottom. As I have read, and contrary to what the "cold" in Cold Cathode Flourescent Lamp would imply, it appears that the lamps in these notebooks run rather hot. After using the notebook for a period of time, take your index finger and place the back portion of it, below the nail, against the Dell logo at the bottom of the screen. Then move your finger along the bezel, right below the screen. So unless this has to do with wiring or something else entirely, I would say the CCFL is the culprit here when it comes to the heat.

My friend and I both set a blank screen saver to compare the light leakage in our respective notebooks, and again it was like night and day. Literally. His notebook presented a clean, even black screen, whereas mine was distinguishingly ghostly...somewhat akin to Patrick Swayze's eery trick with a penny in an effort to prove his love to the then pre-augmented Demi Moore.

Again, I believe the combination of light leakage and uneven backlighting adds to the poor viewing angles found on the new Inspirons.

3) Grainy/sparkling screen. I remember users complaining of a sparkling effect issue with a particular Asus model on the Asus forums here at NBR some time ago. S96J possibly? I believe the issue was eventually attributed to the ATI X1600 GPU in that particular notebook line. I never really understood this issue as I was not a notebook user and had no hands-on experience with it. Once people began discussing it with the new Inspirons, I felt that although mine may well be a victim of said grainyness, it was a quibble not worth investigating. However, after careful examination of both my friend's E1705 and then the XPS 1710 next to the new Inspiron line at the Dell kiosk, I can now acknowledge a perceivable difference in quality due to the grainy effect on these glossy displays. On it's own and not in the company of another laptop, my screen is fairly pleasant to look at. However, I have had a very tough time calibrating the colors in an effort to mirror as best as possible the displays of my other LCDs panels or my friend's older Inspiron. This is perhaps unfair, as I am no expert in this field and have yet to find a good way of setting the colors to any sort of model. Didn't driver utilities used to provide a simple utility or other such way to match your colors up according to a color palette?

Nevertheless, the grainy effect is much more noticeable now, and may be the cause of the eye strain/headache-like symptoms I've been experiencing lately (or perhaps I've been using my new laptop too much, heh). As I'm moving to Canada very soon, I do not have the time or patience to pursue this issue, as I'm not sure much could be done in any case. I believe a replacement [glossy] screen will likely suffer from the same ailment.

At first an opponent of this new Inspiron/Vostro line up until the official announcement from Dell, I have since become enamored with the company's new direction as per these notebooks (especially the 1420 of course). However, it now seems to me that in an effort to bolster the aesthetic appeal of Dell computers, something far more important was skimped on. I do not want to sound like an angry consumer looking for quick compensation - far from it. Though it's been a long process with Dell from start to finish, ever since I decided on buying a 1420, it has nonetheless been a fair process at that. I think it's more important to get the word out to Dell regarding this screen issue, as I do hope the company succeeds with their new approach - both in their product lineup and interaction with customers (blogs and otherwise). After leaving the Dell kiosk and being given a polite shrug when inquiring as to why the new displays are diminished since the last generation, I came home with a bit of a forlorn attitude about my new laptop: I love it and is a beautiful sight both in and out, but I feel let down when it comes to the screen, which afterall, is probably the most important aspect of a notebook computer. As I stated earlier in this post, I did not intend to pursue this and probably still won't as I fear little can/will be done to rectify the issue on my system. But after having other products to compare to, I cannot imagine how or why Dell would have overlooked this blatantly inferior component.

Even after writing all this, I still feel great about my 1420, and am not even entirely bothered by the screen issue (this late at night). Others of course may feel differently about the display problems experienced first-hand on their own new laptops. If nothing else though, it would be nice to hear something official from Dell on this matter, even if it's as simple as acknowleding the specific panel manufacturer(s) as guilty and refuse to do further business with said company(s) until the problem is rectified.

That's all.

PS
Device Manager says my panel is AUO1447.

 

My horrible screen was an AUO. If you're getting headaches and eye strain, you should request for it to be replaced. Most people in this thread have been much happier with their LPL or SEC replacement screens.

 

My screen panel is AUO1447 as well.
I booted it up for the first time and the "grainy" effect was noticeable immediately. It looks exactly like the descriptions in this thread (even before I compared it to my old 600m screen)
I'm a digital artist, so I'm used to images being smooth on my screen. Now it looks like my colors are dirty with uneven spots: It's starting to really bug me.

If I talked to Dell customer service about this problem, what are my chances of getting the better screen replacement? I hear some people have been unable to request a specific brand. I really need a better screen if I'm to work with this computer, though. I'll call dell reps tomorrow. Everyone keep us all updated on your screen replacement status please! Thanks

 

I think chances are you won't be able to request a certain type, but it seems most people have been successful in getting a different brand. If they do bring the same one, then you'll just have to call back again. Let us know how it goes. Cheers.

 

I ordered a 1420 with the WXGA+ TL screen (1440x900). After reading this thread, I called Dell to change it to the antiglare option (the order is still "in production"), but they wouldnt let me. Now Im stuck with the wxga+ since they refused to acknowledge the grainyness problem and simply stated that they'd replace my screen if anything was wrong (and by wrong they mean dell admitting the problem). Does anyone actually have the wxga+ screen WITHOUT grainyness?

 

I have a vostro 1400 with the WXGA+ Glossy screen.. and it has all the above problems.... horrible backlight balance and extreme graininess... btw its an SEC

 

A Dell tech came to my house to replace the screen today. As he was pulling out the part from the box...IT WAS A PAIR OF SPEAKERS!!!!!! WTF??!!?? The work order stated "LCD issue" and instructions states "change the speakers." HUH??? The tech call Dell and told them to send the parts again. He is coming out to me again on Thursday. Waste of my time today. I will report back and let everyone know what happens on Thursday. Maybe they will pull out a motherboard next time.....

 

So I called tech support about my screen, and he decides to just send me a replacement system. What are the chances of this fixing the problem? Or should i just learn to live with a grainy screen? (It bothers me a lot so the learning to live with it might take really long time.)

 

Just cancel your order, this you are allowed to do. Then replace your order.

 

wow looks like i got out lucky with the graininess issue.. mine is an SEC monitor and i have no problems with the graininess. only problem i get is the a bit of leakage of light at the bottom when the screen has a black background but hey.. my samsung desktop monitor does the same so meh

 

HiryuX, Im glad to hear that at least someone isnt reporting the issue. It gives hope to other people like me.

 

I get same here.. a bit of leakage but not enough to matter for me. Also have the sec and no graininess and clear and bright. However, the verticle angles as mentioned before are not that great. I am going to get a replacement system soon because of a crack in the seam on the case/lid. I will be happy if they give me another sec panel. They promised that the replacement will also be a sec. I guess I will find out soon enough.

 

Everyone has seen this post in the 1520 grainy screen forum, right?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=2286744&postcount=124

 

Dell tech came over this morning and changed the screen the hardware ID is SEC4457 (Samsung). It is MUCH MUCH better than the AUO I had. So, if you have a problem with your screen, call in and they will change it for you. Now, my eyes are happy

 

Congrats on your new screen.

 

I just received my 1400 today. Side note: I also ordered a 1420 with ruby red lid which I will return as soon as it comes in - but that's another story.

Anyway, my two cents...

Build is solid, very impressive, not too heavy, just right; 1500 would have been too big with all the same innards except for the 8600GT? No thanks.

Keyboard is fantastic - no flex as others have mentioned.

There is no interference on the headphone jacks. I tried a pair of crappy circumaurals by Sony. I started some internal processes and could not hear a thing. It was so silent I thought I had the "mute" on. Then I started a song and it played crystal clear. When I tried the Creative EP-630s, there was a slight background humm. Once the song began, nothing. Also remember, Vista provides occasional pops and cracks during any MP3 playback.

The screen is very nice. I cannot say I have any graininess. I have the wxga+ 1440x900 TrueLife. I hate that everyone on these boards has put this idea in my mind that it is not all it could be when in fact it is as good as its gets. The manufacturer is SEC 4457 / Samsung. I cannot say whether it is more like zragnarok2 and has all the common problems or blackdiamond and it is fantastic. I have nothing to compare it to - this is my first laptop. There is a minor amount of light bleed at the bottom. The viewing angles are not exceptional but normal. Upon close inspection whites are white. Conventional wisdom dictates that if I am happy with it that is all that matters. And hey... I can always get it replaced in the future if the need arises.

Some had mentioned a sharp overhang/lip above the CD/DVD. I have none.
The IR remote works great.
Wi-Fi using the Intel draft-n is lightning quick.
T7300 CPU eats up everything I throw at it.
The lid does collect the oils from your fingertips rather easily. Best to have a microfiber cloth standing by to treat that.
I did not receive my Vista OS DVD but I did get all other drivers. I have already gone to the support website and ordered the DVD.
One more thing... I ordered the Sound Blaster Audigy software just for kicks. When playing music, if you adjust the settings it makes all the difference in the world. I don't know why that impresses me when there is freeware that can do the same. However, for $23 it is better than the integrated and not as foolish a buy as the express card.

Now I will go back to staring at my SEC.

 

It is good that you got a SEC screen (same as the one I just got, SEC 4457 glossy 1440x900) from the start and has no problem with yours. Congrats.

 

Can someone please describe and or post a picture of a "grainy" screen please? I have never seen one and would like to know for when my laptop comes.

 

Check this thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=154196

 

People are throwing around words like "grainy" and whatnot here..

I will just give my 2 cents.. as a standard user, not someone who puts their nose up to the screen...

I bought a 1420 which was defective. There was a motherboard or hardware problem with the media buttons which made them do strange things. I am sending it back, and redid my order (which camne out 400 dollars less also), and changes screens.

My last laptop was an HP dv1000 which I was happy with, but it doesnt support vista with its specs.

The HP screen with BRITEview had a glossy finish. it was pleasant to look at, and diudnt glare back horribly bad.

I had the anti glare 1280x800 screen ordered for my 1420. When I first turned it on I was VERY UNIMPRESSED with the brightness (which on full brightness was nowhere near as brought as the HP) and the look which was "dark drabby and boring". I also HATE real small icons, but these were TOO big.. to the point it was annoying.

The screen was the only area I didnt not care for.

When ordering the replacement, it only came with the 1440x900 high resolution screen. This MAY be TOO small as far as icons and resolution for me, but you can always shrink down from the native res if it is.

I am hoping this is more like the Hp Briteview which was glossy and looked good. The antiglare would be unusable outside due to its darkness.

That is jus tmy 2 cents.

If anyone has experiences with HP and/Dell and can comment to compare the Hi Glossy dell to Hp briteview, please do!

Thanks and this machine is GREAT... Now I have to wait for the replacement!

Mike

 

i'm sorry to hear about all these problems u guys & gals r having. i've had my 1420 for 3weeks (just got back from vaca) i just checked mine & it is a LPL0000 & its perfect. this is my 1st notebook & i'm loving it. vista kinda sux but thats the only thing thats not perfect. i'm so glad i havent had to deal with this grainyness issue, it sounds horrible

 

I just got my replacement computer. Same screen - AUO1447 and just as grainy. I'm trying to ask the techs to have someone come out to replace my screen, but it doesn't look like I'm having any luck. I'm trying to request a different screen manufacturer but they apparently have no idea what I'm asking. A wasted 2 hours of my life. Should I stop pursuing this and just learn to live with this screen? I'd really rather not since I'm a digital artist and the colors don't look smooth on my images ...

 

I just got my 1420 with Auo screen. I think it's as nice as my older Dell e1405 which has same resolution of 1440x900 I will check into what brand is my e1405 screen later. So far, I am happy with my 1420.

 

I got my 1420 with an AUO screen, I just got a replacement (for an unrelated issue) and got the LG screen. My AUO screen is 5 TIMES BETTER than the LG, I LOVE my AUO screen! I don't want to give it up!

 

Just got in all 4 of my 1420's finally. For the money this laptop can't be beat. I am sorry i didn't order more via the epp deal.

 

I don't understand. Which computer has the AUO and which has the LG? Or do you have both with you at the same time?

 

who is auo manufacture wise???

the 2 screens we have in our 1500's (mine and my sisters) are cpt and shp?? anyone know who shp is i found out who cpt is?? i can say the sph is WAY better than the cpt screen..

all of the systems 1400.1420 1500.1520 etc have a ton of various screens in them you get what you get seemingly..

 

I am about to order a 1420 with a high-res screen (1400x900)

Can anyone update me as to what I should do about screen manufacturer? (I am too lazy to read all 14 pages). Is there anything that you CAN do about this anyway?

 

same boat, and nothing you can do about it. Dell seem to be fairly happy to replace the screen if its not to your liking.

 

I think SHP is Sharp, CPT is Chunghwa Picture Tubes, and AUO is AU Optronics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AU_Optronics

 

Is it difficult to get someone to come repair the screen? I just bought a Dell 1420 online and chose the glossy screen. IS this covered under the 3 yr in home service warranty I got with it, or does it fall under the 30 day thing?

Also, are they friendly in helping you out through the phone to send someone to repair the screen? I really hope my glossy screen is not one of the ad ones.

 

To be brutally honest, you need to rethink your display options. I understand how popular the 1400X900 screen is, but you will most likely like having a much nicer wxga screen then something that has poor/dark viewing angles or something that has sparkles/grain/greasy looking screen. Its not just AUO, but SEC and probably other manufacturers have and are currently having difficulties making this resolution LCD. Its my belief the odds of getting a bad one are much higher then a good one. The problem is, people want this resolution but the reality is that its a real trouble area for many manufacturers. AUO makes some damn nice wxga screens and some of the worst looking wxga + screens. Its enough of a problem that I strongly advise avoiding this resolution. You would be better off going to a higher res or lower then the wxga +. The bottom line is, if you had read the 14 pages you most likely would have come to this same conclusion. And if you ordered the wxga + anyways, then a certain amount of denial would be in force since there really is not many good posts about that resolution.

 

Wow....thats a lot to think about

Thanks for your reply HI DesertNM.

I never gave the screen much consideration...always assumed that the high-res would be best and worth the upgrade. I dont even know the difference between wxga/wxga+, and glossy/antiglare....so looks like I'll have to do some more research.

 

I went to the kiosk to check it out and here's what I found:

Antiglare seems just as bright, and without the extra reflection....so thats what I went with. Also, the 1400x900 resolution makes very little difference on a 14' screen.

(Thanks to everyone who just helped me save $50)

 

I have just been playing with my Vostro 1400 with a WXGA+ screen (1440x900, TrueBrite). I have the SEC4457 and I think it looks pretty darn good. My IBM T60 screen is a tiny bit sharper but is annoyingly dark at the brighetst setting.

The Vostro will be a keeper unless anything else bugs me soon (have not tried much but surfing and playing with Vista yet).

 

Matte is better than what I expected, as I didn't even consider the glossy upgrades. The price and options and '30day/worryfree' return was enough to give it a shot. I'm satisfied. Installed xp, as vista very slow and a real annoyance. The 'pnp' monitor id is cmo1426. Overall solid build, good value and nice clean lines.

 

I have some second thought now especially regarding viewing angles. It does have a bit of a tight sweetspot. When I look at picures they look quite different when just moving my head slightly. Will check it out some more today.

 

anybody else love their samsung screen? i have the sec4457 on my 1420--it's awesome..what's with all the haters?

1420 t7259 2G 160/7200 wxga+1440x900

 

I was going to ask you if you had bad viewing angles with the SEC, I did.. But I would have keep that system.. Ended up sending mine back for a cracked lid and the replacement was even worse (grainy, greasy AUO) So if you are wanting something better, you might be better off canceling order then to try to get something better. I don't know why, but the panel makers have had problems with 14" panels. Even the Sony 14"CR I saw at bestbuy had pathetic viewing angles. But if yours is anything like the SEC I had, you basically can't get a good angle.. even when you look straight at it there are still areas that are more faded out. Now that I have regular wxga LG 15" with HP I don't have any issues with grain, angles etc.. After seeing what I have now I would not have keep that original dell SEC screen.. even if the lid had not been cracked.

I could not even watch a DVD movie with my wife on my short lived 1420 I had. The viewing angles would not permit it.. I ended up turning it off.. and that was a turn off. Even my old Toshiba 8 year old satellite has better viewing angles then that SEC had. Two people could watch movies on it no problem. Yes I would re-consider your SEC. If its anything like the one I had.. its has about as bad viewing angles you will see on any notebook. And for those that say Dells LCD's are fine for what you pay for.. I don't agree. HP has systems for half the price that consistently blow the crappy dell displays out of the water. I think allot of people who like their dells don't realize how much better a display can be. Don't get me wrong, Dell uses allot of vendors so I am sure many do get nice and bright non grainy screens. The key is Dells displays are not that consistent. Part of any good quality control is to maintain consistency in your processes. But as many have already found out, Dells LCD quality can vary wildly.

 

at least samsung's wsxga+ is really bad (I have seen 3 of them and its not 1 in a million kind of error, its 3 in 3). Even dell and all the technicians they sent admitted that there is an issue.

 

I do not really know what to do. I have waited for so long for it so I am not so eager to try and cancel it. I do notice the difference to my IBM T60. I am getting the work laptop swapped for a T60p which will make the difference even more noticeable.

I must say they do not play in the same league in regards to $ but I working with this display would not be good for my eyes. I wonder if I even have the chance to cancel it after owning it for three weeks. Anyone who knows?

 

hi--i don't have any issues with viewing angles. i have to get pretty vertical before the picture starts to fade. side-viewing angles aren't an issue at all. unless i lose sight of the screen altogether (by then i'm perpendicular to it) i don't see any restricted or diminished view. i can put it on the coffee table and move to either end of a 7 ft long couch and see equally as well as i do from the center seat position. actually, i was quite amazed at that part. plus nothing grainy, no light leak, good hd. perhaps i did get one of the few that can't faulted--if so i'm grateful to be spared the hassle of an exchange.

 

Specifically with regard to text, word proccessing, and web surfing, does it matter which graphics option you get(Intel integrated X3100 or the Geforce 8400m)? I'm trying to get my wife a new laptop, and she won't be playing any games. I just bought her a T61 standard 14.1 inch Xga with integrated graphics, and the screen is pretty dark, and blurry with a max resolution of 1024*768. I thought it would have been fine for text, but it's pretty hard on the eyes. I want to make sure I don't make the same mistake again(and be out 15% restocking fee).The screen needs to be sharp and easy to read. Looking through the forum, I noticed most people with the 1420 have the Nvidia option. I'm not afraid to spend the extra $75 for the Nvidia but am not sure that it is at all necessary.