Dell 17r N7720 SE - user review

Yes, magical. Have you read the thread? LOL

 

Another question related to these screens... I'm wondering if it's totally random which one you get or if the older/newer 17r's increase odds one way or another. Say windows 7 for instance, which my order has, does it make someone more likely to get a particular screen type? Same with the CPU (3630 vs 3610)

 

Seems pretty random so far. However, we really can't draw any conclusions with a sample size this small. Unless we do a proper poll of who got which screen at what time/os version/part of the world, and enough people participate, it's hard to say anything conclusive about the odds of getting one screen over the other.

 

Lovely post Nigel

And yeah, I'm too one of the happy users of Chi Mei displays.

 

I found an affordable Swedish backlit keyboard on ebay (Norwegian keyboards are damn hard to find! and Swedish keyboard is almost same, just a few differences.), arrived today. Installed it and everything works fine, including backlight. What more: the backlit keyboard is better to type on, firmer, less flex and better key feedback, nice bonus.

 

Why did you change the keyboard? Did it fail? If so couldn't you claim warranty?

 

I wanted backlit keyboard.
Dell doesn't offer backlit keybaord as an option when ordering inspirons here. (which sucks, since dell DO make backlit keyboards that fits!) I even called them and no not possible to get it with backlit.

 

Ya I'm not surprised at this......... kinda like not being able to buy a 3D screen with Optimus onboard.

As for the regular screens and what order they put them into computers, they probably just bring in whatever box is next in the warehouse and put them in. I can't imagine anything more complex than that.

 

well......but there is SSD and there is SSD......(HUGH different on a standard SSD and for example a 840 Pro SSD)

an average Intel SSD read speed is ~230MB/s...(write speed ~200MB/s)

a 840 Pro read speed is ~460MB/s....(write speed ~430MB/s).............thats hugh different.

 

I don't understand why you want everybody to be very specific in detail in their comments but with yours we have to read between the lines. His statement in general is valid...... ssd's are overall faster than hdd's except the few exceptions.

I think the harder task is to find one of the best ssd's at the lowest price. I bought a 256GB Samsung 840 pro from new egg for only $199. Look hard and you will find great deals

 

Update, my 17R shipped..................... so knowing my way around the dell network I found my service tag number which led me to my specs sheet. This is the screen coming in my unit. I'm 99.99% sure it's a chi. Agghhhhh CHIMEI INNOLUX


4RWGD 1 MODULE..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 17.3FHD, WLED, AG, CMI
HDKPV 1 Liquid Crystal Display, 17.3FHD, White Light Emitted Diode, AG, CMI

 

256GB 840 Pro just arrived.

 

Cool, where did you get it from and how much?

 

OK, so I'm definitely not too worried about the chimei screen cause if I can't tweak it nicely like everyone suggests I have found the 3d samsung screen from a screen reseller for about $100-120 USD. So the question is, will this thing work in a regular 17r without screwing other things up?

If I put it in will win 8 auto detect the screen and will it let me choose 120 Hertz for less strain for the eyes? I don't care about the 3d emitter cause I don't want 3d so I wont replace the bezel.

I can't imagine the bios would detect the screen and disable optimus would it?

Has anyone figured out WHAT causes the optimus to not coexist with a 3D screen? Bios? Different motherboard? software conflict? etc?

Thanks all.

 

@Nigel,

Where abouts did you find your config info?

I have retrieved my service tag and express service code but can only find the invoice info which doesn't state the manufacturer of the screen.

Any help/pointers would be appreciated.


P.s. I am in the U.K. so maybe that is why? Also, where is yours being shipped from? Mine is currently in Shanghai, due for delivery Monday.

Am also waiting for an 840 pro 256gb to arrive... I bought mine from ebuyer for just below £180

 

did you bought a Samsung 840 Pro, (quite jealous for be true) ....

..its the best SSD on the planet right now...very nice
(i would never replace my excellent 7200Rpm 1.5TB + Msata hard drives with some standard SSD......but 840 Pro........thats a whole other ballgame.

ps......was 512GB so much more expensive ????

 

I don't think any (or at least few) has done this. Maybe Dell could answer your question.

I think this will happen, but not sure:

1: most likely: Screen will work, bios detects it's an 3d screen and disabling optimus to allow 3d and 120hz to work (optimus + 120hz is NOT POSSIBLE, since intel HD4000 doesn't support 120Hz). So if it works you will loose optimus.

2: Second most likely: Screen will work, but you can't use 120Hz/3D, it will work just like any other 60Hz screen. Optimus still working.

 

LCD screens don't flicker because unlike CRT, the backlight is constant. Eye strain could be caused by other factors, unrelated to refresh rate, like distance to the screen, brightness, too much time in front of the laptop or too reflective screen (read: glossy hell). 120 Hz for anything else than 3D imaging is an overkill. Human brain is simply not able to process that much amount of visual stimuli. If you get the panel, try a double blind test and see it for yourself.

 

Looks like we got the same deal.

So far the drive is insane!

At first I was considering the 128GB 840 Pro - but its write speed is slightly watered-down.
The 256GB Pro is about £180 in the UK - performance is good as it gets and already has more OS space than I'd want.
512GB is £340 which isn't much cheaper per GB nor faster.

 

WOW, they are som impressive figures, very very nice indeed. :thumbsup:

I ordered the 1tb non msata version, so will install the 840 pro in bay 1, move the hdd over to bay 2 and use it for storage only.

Lappy due on Monday... gutted I have to wait over the weekend for it lol

 

Sounds like a plan.

Was suppose to get 840 delivered next week - but they delivered early... What are the odds!

 

yer not expecting the 840 before the laptop as I opted for free shipping and they only despatched today according to their email.

ah well.

Never had a pc with decent specs before so really looking forward to getting this beast up and running.

 

That's quite a ridiulous idea IMO. If you want that screen return this machine within the first 21 days and buy that one. You'll spend money and void your warranty if you do it this way

 

well........i guess millions of gamers are wrong then... (im not talking about some cheesy 3D gaming here)

120hz gives less screen tearing, smoother mouse, clearer/better image quality.........(and for the last....120Fps on a 120Hz screen.....its mind blowing.........i will never go back to 60Hz after been using 120Hz.....thats for sure.

 

There is a well studied phenomenon called placebo.

If you play the old games and you can achieve over 60 fps, then tearing may be a problem. With anything newer, say released in the last 5 years, 650m GT does not have enough horsepower if you are after visual candy. Moreover, there is a solution for that issue: v-sync. As for your vague clearer/better image quality, generally 120 Hz panels are top shelf products and apart from a few exceptions (eg. IPS) they are superior to run-of-the-mill 60 Hz TN screens. Again, refresh rate is not the reason alone.

 

I'm not disagreeing with you, but the current hot feature in LCD TV's is 120Hz and 240Hz (and 600Hz in Plasma). Those are just gimmicks and the consumer is not reaping the benefits of it?
My point is not to change the topic to Televisions, but to introduce the idea that higher than 60hz refresh rates might have an advantage (not just for gaming, but improved visual quality in fast motion material like sports, movies, etc.) and that the brain is not limited to 60hz.

 

I read something in this thread (can't find it again now to check) about wi-di.

Does the 7720 fully support this?

 

Hi dazzler, its pretty easy to find the info, here are the steps I followed.

1. log into dell
2. click on view my products and services
3. if your order is not there, add it by filling out customer number and order number, it should add it to your list of products
4. click on your inspiron 17r in the list of products
5. click on the service tag number
6. click on the system configuration tab
7. click on the components down arrow
8. enjoy your list of components.

Yay, you are seeing the advantages of getting a good ssd, thats awesome. Personally I went with the 840 pro cause I got it for a good price but I would bet it would be very difficult to see performance difference between the 840 pro and my M4 thats in my M18x. Both ssd's are going to be great choices.

Ya, exactly, I'm hoping for number 2 option. You would think the computer would be smart enough to just say oh, you want to run 3d? no problem, let me optimus enable the GT650 in this mode. This whole never being able to have optimus and 120h in the same computer seems kind of stupid to me to be honest with you.

Good advice as usual bladteth, I'll keep that in mind. To be honest with you, all I want is a nice screen and if the chimei lets me down I'll be ordering it, worst case scenario I'll just let it install as a generic pnp screen, that should still work giving me the sharp screen but no worries about 120h conflict with optimus.

server........ no no no no no no. Why would I want to order the 3d model when I want portability (the best possible battery life) with optimus intel graphics, my 840 pro ssd main drive that uses less than a watt of power and wreck that with the 3d model unit? Plus not to mention the 3d model is about another $500 to order from dell. I can just buy the screen myself for about $120.

And as to your warranty void claim??? You think its too difficult to take it apart again and put back in the original screen IF any warranty item gets replaced???? Come on!!! Seriously, we are not 75 yr old guys who have no idea how to take apart a computer in this forum are we? There are no warranty voided if seal broken in dell laptops are there? I have taken apart a few laptops before and never seen any.

 

KSMB, I hate to quote such an old post but its kind of relevant. As you should know by now you HAVE been using only your 650 as graphics on the samsung screen this whole time and have never had access to you intel 4000 chipset. BUT, what if you plug a tv into your laptop through the HDMI out port on the 17r and disable your sceen and only use the tv. Do you have the option to select intel graphics as an option then???

Please post an update and let us know IF the intel 4000 option shows up in the nVidia CP like the picture bladteth provided us to see in the attachment picture 91581

Thanks in advance for any help on this

 

TVs are different. Typically lower input frame rate, eg. 24 FPS for movies, is uprated to 120 Hz (or more) by various tricks like inserting averaged frames etc. In PCs, GPU can generate frames at rates well over 60 Hz. The question remains: will you see the difference? Unless you are a cyborg, human physiology works in an analogue fashion. Eyes receive continuous stream of light and constantly send electrical signals to the brain, so the term "frame rate" does not apply. It the brain power that is a limiting factor. Various studies have been done in this field showing that people can consciously perceive about 40 - 60 distinct images per second. Anything over that and images blur and blend together, become fluid in other words. Bear in mind that does not mean that you will not be able to notice the difference at higher frame rates. You might, but it will be subconscious. Moreover, the lower the contrast changes, the harder it is for brain to "see" the difference. Thus, if you play a shooter in a forest against camouflaged opponents, 120 Hz is a moot point.

Putting things into perspective. At 60 Hz each frame is displayed for about 16 ms, at 120 Hz, for 8 ms. That's 8 ms difference. Average human reaction time is 200 - 300 ms. If someone is claiming that 120 Hz make him more competitive in games is simply delusional.

 

Hi Nigel,

thanks very much for taking the time to give me the info... I had already done that though and there is no details as to the manufacturer of my screen... just the same info as contained in my invoice.

Ah well, I will have to wait for the delivery... anyway, thanks again for taking the time to relay the info.

Cheers mate,

 

?? I don't understand..... it should be there. What are saying the lines that talk about your screen? It should say something like:

4RWGD1MODULE..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 17.3FHD, WLED, AG, CMI
HDKPV1Liquid Crystal Display, 17.3FHD, White Light Emitted Diode, AG, CMI

If you are seeing this:

VRHD11MODULE..., COVER..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., ALUMINUM (DATA/FAX MODEM)..., WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK CARD..., 7720
0YCD61Assembly, Camera, 0.92M, W/MIC, AUDI
NY2G01KIT..., COVER..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., ALUMINUM


you just have not gone down the list far enough maybe?

 

I am wondering if it's a U.K. thing? ANyway, this is what I see:

QuantityDescription

1PROCESSOR : INTEL CORE I7-3630QM (UP TO
1DISPLAY : 17.3IN FULL HIGH DEFINITION (1
1LCD BACK COVER : ALUMINIUM

literally cuts off like that... this is the info contained in the invoice which just completes the line:

Processor : Intel Core i7-3630QM (up to 3.40 GHz, 6M cache)
Display : 17.3in Full High Definition (1080p) LED Display with Anti-Glare

No model number or manufacturer code or even further information whatsoever apart from that... very strange.

p.s. as a general update on delivery status, my inspiron has now left shanghai... and is in south korea not looking promising for a Monday delivery

 

Hi again dazzler, if you are looking at an invoice that's not the same thing I see.

You should be at a page like the one below but I'm guessing instead of ca yours will probably say uk and then click on the "system configuration tab"

xxx.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/ca/en/cadhs1/Servicetag/(your service tag here, no brackets)

Maybe you are right and UK does not have that? Strange.

EDIT: I had to change THE www to xxx cause it kept adding a link and didnt give the info I wanted to show you.

 

It should look something like this:

 

Hi Nigel,

Yes, thats the url I have been using, it is definitely a U.K. thing, very strange why it isn't uniform across the globe, although having said that, dell also alter their configurations from country to country for some reason.

Heres a screen capture of my configured components:

 

Hi dazzler, wow, that sucks man. That's how I have always taken a look at what's coming to me even before it shows up? I'm really sorry about that. So you are a mac user going to pc or?

 

Hi Nigel,

YES it sucks lol for some reason the U.K. always seems to be disadvantaged in different ways e.g. long wait to get google music compared to the U.S., lack of choice in configuring dell machines etc etc lol 1st world problems for sure

As for the mac/pc thing, well, I have had pc's since 1997(usually from dell and used all consumer win os from 95 through to win 8 when the 7720 arrives) but in 2010 I bought a macbook pro, just fancied a change and well, who doesn't like the build quality and materials used in macbooks? Anyway, overall I have enjoyed the experience but I won't buy a mac again.

Don't get me wrong I will keep this mbp and use it as an internet browsing machine, but the cost to spec ratio is scandalous, and apples obsoletion timescale is a joke tbh (latest os and some apps wont run on this 2 year old machine), plus I have recently acquired a gopro camera so need some horsepower for video editing and in the future would like to get into astro imaging and many of the programs wont run on mac... I could use bootcamp, but then I am back to the price/spec ratio thing. I was never a Steve jobs evangelist, but I think apple are losing their way since he died with regards a few behaviours they have displayed.

So, two birds with one stone (and new toys are always fun) I got the massively specced 7720 (well, will be most powerful pc I've ever had so to me it is massively specced, but i am sure to some hardcore gamers it is merely lukewarm lol) for circa half the equivalent mbp cost.

 

I suppose when we're looking at Apple stuff - would have to look at price as a separate subject.

Nearly bought a rMBP 15 over the new year. It's remarkably polished machine - but the cost is equally insane. Sort of see where Apple comes from - but its a tough sell trying to ship same machine at £1500 vs £630.

But equally Dell has put together a heck of a performance: price ratio on the 17R SE; on paper its the same hardware platform as rMBP - minus the Retina display but comes with DVD drive and actual upgradability. I don't use the sort of app that works better on Mac, and haven't reached the stage where money is no objective - so I ended up with a fully loaded 17R SE & iPad 4 - best of both world. (Still £400 less)

Last year had the Air for about £1000 - great machine - but wasn't using it for more than web browsing. It was soon felt like a liability - so before I could dropped it or something - decided to replaced it with a Core 2 Thinkpad which costs me a little over £100.

 

can anyone with the 3D version list the part numbers for the 3D LCD, and Bluray drive?

thank you

 

Here is the samsung part number for the screen: LTN173HT02

 

thank you, but does anyone have a different part number? like the Dell one? the screen listed above seems to be a challenge to find in the united states

 

Look a few pages back, someone posted ebay links

 

yep, clicked on those already. They weren't for U.S. sellers

thank you thou

 

The Dell part # for the 3D screen is,

(GN36T) - Liquid Crystal Display, 17.3, Full High Definition, White Light Emitted Diode, True Life, 3D, Secondary

The DVD/BD drive Dell part # is,

(PRDR1) - Dvd+/-Rw And Bd-Rom, 12.7, Serial Ata, Plds

Hope this helps. I just got my 7720 SE yesterday. It was well worth the wait.


Rob

 

Does 17r SE 7720 has MXM slot for GPU Upgrade ?

 

No. only cpu upgrade possible.

 

quick question guys, my screen is HD+ only (1600x900) has anybody here tried upgrading their screen to full hd? is it safe to say that they share the same pins? TIA