1520 uneven brightness

I just got a new Inspiron 1520 with the GeForce8600M GT and was incredibly disapointed with the screen's quality. There seems to be no good angle to look at it, either it's too closed and there seems to be some kind of white-ish filter on top of the image, either it's too open and the brightness/contrast mix makes the image too dark. I tried tweaking the brightness/contrasts settings in the BIOS, with the Dell hotkeys, with the Nvidia control pannel and in video games, but the same problem persists.
I first noticed this problem when playing Splinter Cell: Double Agent, and after going around all the display problems this game has (not recognizing the drivers or DX10 for example), the game was excessively ugly, with some kind of flat/greyish colors at the bottom and too dark at the top. Same problems with Half Life 2...
I figured there was a problem with the light diffusing after doing a test on a black background. The bottom 1/4 of the screen looked way to bright, the middle was alright and the top 1 or 2 inches were too dark (for example, icons were darker than desired). It really looked as if there was a light source at the bottom of the screen, and the light didn't reach the top...
Anyways, if anyone of you had a similar problem, what did you do? I called Technical Support, and they transfered me to Customer Support because I could still qualify for their 30 days replacement policy. They should send me a new notebook pretty soon, I'll update to tell if it fixes the problem or not. (Since I'm moving out of the country for 5 months in mid January, the laptop may not come in time and I may cancel the replacement and go for the warranty replacement when I come back... I'll keep updated).

 

Sorry bump... I need to know if that problem is normal or common on the 1520. I have read a couple of reviews from people on the board stating the same problem, but was it fixed after returning the notebook for repair/exchange or do all the screen put in Dell laptops have a light leakage problem?

 

I actually kinda have a similar problem. I got my m1530 yesterday and I'm noticing the right size of hte screen to be darker than the left one. If i look straight at this darker mass, It seems fine. However, if I slightly move to the left, it goes dark.

I plan to call Dell support momentarily and see what could be done.

Not sure if this applies to you though

 

I would be interested in this, as well. I'm opening my 1520 on the 25th...I really hope there's no problems with it.

 

This is not normal you should give dell a call

 

I took pictures this afternoon to show exactly what I'm talking about. Sorry for the image quality, my camera is completely worthless without flash in a dark room, and a bright room or a flash would make the pictures ugly because of reflective screen.

With a pitch black background in a dark room: http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/PKWilly/?action=view&current=Blackdark.jpg

With a pitch black background in a room with ambiant light: http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/PKWilly/?action=view&current=Blacklight.jpg

With a grey background in a dark room: http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/PKWilly/?action=view&current=Grey.jpg

You can clearly see there is some kind of arc of diffusion that is not right with that screen... further convinced me that I did the right move asking for a replacement. I also compared with my sister's notebook screen (HP) and hers does not have the same kind of problem.

 

Thats the most light bleed I've ever seen...definitely not normal, call Dell and have the screen replaced.

 

Wow thats pretty bad. I have light leakage on my 1400, but it takes up less than an inch on my 14.1" screen (think the width of two taskbars) and when using the computer for normal stuff, I have no issues. When watching a movie its present, but doesn't bother me too much.

But I would definately send the screen into dell and see what they can do for you.

Did you get the WXGA or WXGA+ or WSXGA screen? If you ordered the WS or the + make sure they send you a GOOD screen - do some research on the forums.

 

that's the worst i've seen on here. They should send you a replacement system

 

My invoice says WXGA LCD TrueLife 15.4"... and it's got a 1280x800 native resolution, so I guess its not + or WS. Anyway I don't think we have any control over the brand of the screen they put in it (samsung or LG as I understood from other threads)... I'll see when I get it. If it's got similar or worst problems I'll send it back in June when I come back and ask for a "repair" since it'll still be under the 1 yeary warranty.

 

or you could ask for a refund and send it back before you leave.....and keep your money until you return. The 1525 will be out then and maybe something better with a better deal.....it depends on how soon you leave though

 

The thing is I leave on Jan 11 and I bought this notebook because I needed one. I'm going on a university student exchange in Hong Kong for 4-5 months and I need a computer for everything school-related. Can't really wait for a new model to come out... and I got a pretty good deal for this one (T7250 @ 2.0GHz, GeForce 8600M GT, 2GB RAM, bluetooth, 250GB HD for under $1200).

 

So I just received the replacement computer this morning. It's a little bit better but there is still a little light leakage at the bottom. I contacted customer service and they should be able to give me an extended on-site warranty since I'm leaving and I can't get another replacement... they'll confirm that by e-mail on Jan 2. I think it's a totally different screen, it is WAY brighter at maximum brightness, and it does not have that "photo negative" problem at the top. The kind of darker arch that was the problem on the other computer is also fixed... which means that the top right and left corners are now alright (compare to previous pictures I have posted).

Overall a not so bad experience, but I doubt I will ever purchase a dell computer again... I just don't like having to SETTLE for what they send me compated to actually going to a store and choosing a non-defective product.