13.3" Anti Glare and Privacy Filter review

I just bought an m1330, which I plan to use outside from time to time. I've never had a glossy screen before so I was a bit concerned that the glossy glare would be too distracting. I searched a bunch on the internet for an "anti glare screen film" and finding information was a bit difficult, so I figured I would post what I learned here in case others are having the same question.

First, I found these two reviews helpful...

Anti Glare Screen for SZ
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=101640

3M Notebook Screen Privacy Filter Review (pics)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1172812


So, I went ahead and ordered the "3M PF13.3 Notebook Privacy Computer Filter" from newegg (I like these guys, order arrived in 2 days)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824991007

For the sake of this review I apologize I didn't take any pictures.
I "tested" out the filter for a few minutes and then sent it right back (had to pay a $6 restocking fee, not bad, worth the learning experience).
I sent it back for 4 reasons...

1- it does not fit the m1330. The 3M PF13.3 is for a STANDARD 13.3 screen, not a WIDESCREEN, which has different dimensions. Here's the size chart, I wish I had this before...
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/ComputerFilter/Home/ProductInformation/Measure/

2- Although it didn't exactly fit right I could lean it up against my screen and see what it looked like. My first complaint is that the filter made my screen DARKER, which I did not like (3M says light transmission is 65%). It was still usable, and if privacy is an issue then the darker screen probably won't bother you, but for me the main thing i was hoping for was less glare, which brings me to my next point... (btw, the privacy aspect, blocked viewing from side angles, that part worked great)

3- I have to say that the main reason I was looking for a filter was to reduce glare. This filter in fact made the glare WORSE. From what I could tell, these glossy screens have a much worse glare when the screen is dark. When the computer is off, I can see my own reflection in the screen almost as if I was looking at a mirror. But when it's on and I'm looking at a white page, like typing in Word, the glare is much less. Also the glare is less when the screen is turned up to full brightness. Anyways, since the filter is darker, it wakes the screen darker, which makes the reflection worse. I tried this both by sitting on my couch, and sitting near a window with sunlight, with and without the filter. Both times, the filter made the glare worse.

Here I should note that the filter has a glossy side and a matte side. The glossy side was of course more reflective, but even the matte side was reflective, which brings me to my last point...

4- the "matte" on one side of the filter caused resolution distortion. It wasn't a thin fine grain matte finish like you would find on any normal laptop with a matte screen. Rather, it was more like a texture carved in to the plastic of the filter. It was a texture that was both visible and touchable. Like a thin layer of small rock salt crystals. And that texture affected the screen resolution, regardless of whether the filter was matte side up or glossy side up.

So, I sent it back. Not what I was looking for. I don't want to bash 3M or discourage anyone looking for a privacy filter. I think it was a well made product and would work well for privacy filtering, especially if you just needed to use it every once in a while (like just when you're on planes). But for every day use I think the loss of resolution and increased glare might get annoying. For me, the m1330 has such a beautiful screen, I couldn't stand to put something on there that made it worse.

So, did some more research, here's what I found, could be a better option but I haven't tested it out yet...

http://www.buyviewguard.com/catalog/index.php?id=133-1610

I'm thinking the "13.3" Widescreen ViewGuard Anti-Glare Matte Screen Protector (Width 11.28" x Height 7.05" 16:10 Aspect Ratio)" is exactly what I need, as it has an anti glare matte finish, but no privacy darkening agent. I haven't tested it yet cause I had to send my m1330 back because of a high pitched whineing noise, but that is a different topic. Anyways, I plan to test out the viewguard and I'll post here when I do.

 

forgot to mention... for heavy outdoor use, this looks like a decent option...

laptop shade
http://lifehacker.com/software/laptops/ask-the-readers-working-outdoors-with-your-laptop-246291.php

 

In a strange coincidence I recently emailed 3M to ask about which screen protector I should buy to reduce glare on a Glossy screen.

Perhaps you will find my exchange with them useful:

My original email:

"Subject = anti-glare

Message =

Hey 3M,

I am looking for a screen cover that will help reduce glare on my Glossy
laptop
screen. Do you offer any anti-glare laptop covers or are they all
desktop-only?

First Name = Jacob
Last Name = Hill

Sender = [email protected]"



Their response:

"Hello Jacob,

Thank you for your interest in 3M Vikuiti(TM) products. We I have a couple
of options for you:
1. Removable Anti-Reflection Film (ARMR-200). This product offers:
* ultra-thin, multi-layer film that protects delicate LCD screens from
damage
* reduces screen surface reflections to minimize glare and increase clarity
* does not bunch up or leave air gaps that can result in image distortion
* smudges and fingerprints wipe off easily
* ideal for screens requiring a stylus as the input device
* easily removable
* can be easily trimmed
* recommend replacement every 3 - 6 months
* available in a variety of sheet sizes - what size is your display?

2. frameless privacy filters offer
* privacy protection. Only the user can see on-screen documents. From the
side, others see a dark, blank screen.
* patented 3M microlouver technology which provides improved contrast and
privacy without blurring
* attaches and detaches easily - filter can remain in place even when the
computer is closed
* matte finish on one side (this helps diffuse the glare); glossy on the
other
* protects LCD screen
* sizes to fit most notebook screens (measured on the diagonal)

Please let me know if you need further information.
Linda T.
3M Optical Systems
www.vikuiti.com
www.3M.com/computerfilters"



My response:

"

Hey Linda,

Thanks a ton for your reply. I have a 15.4" WSXGA TFT Glossy. I had heard other reviews on privacy filters being used as anti-reflective covers, but a lot of people also say that for that pure purpose that they aren't worth it as they make the screen darker (sometimes actually increasing the glare) or they dull the colors too much. Can you shed any light on these issues?

Thank you,
Jacob."

 

Excellent post! I too have a Dell XPS M1330 and love the laptop; except for one nagging flaw -- the TrueLife screen.

Most times when I use the laptop, the blinds are closed and the lights are dim. Using the laptop outside is completely and totally impossible. I cannot see anything on my notebook screen at all. Even at full brightness it's impossible to see anything.

Glad you took the plunge and tried 3M's 13.3 Privacy Filter. I'm surprised that the 13.3" dimensions was for a 4:3 aspect, because I've never seen any screen that is created like that -- all the 13.3" screens I have seen is the widescreen ala the MacBook and the M1330.

I look forward to your review of "13.3" Widescreen ViewGuard Anti-Glare Matte Screen Protector" -- because the M1330 as nice of a laptop as it is -- is pretty much limited to indoor use only and with limited exterior light.

 

Are you kidding me? I wouldn't be caught dead utilizing that thing around my notebook.

 

Update? update?

 

I just orderd the

13.3" Widescreen ViewGuard™ Anti-Glare Matte Screen Protector (Width 11.28" x Height 7.05" 16:10 Aspect Ratio)

from here...
http://www.buyviewguard.com/catalog/index.php?id=133-1610

I'll post here when it arrives and let you all know how it works...

-Zack

 

Jacob,

Thanks for posting the email, that was helpful, I hadn't heard about "option 1"

"Removable Anti-Reflection Film"

Has anyone out there tried this?...

 

Found this review of the "Removable Anti-Reflection Film (ARMR-200)"
great pics too!
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Vikuiti-ARMR200-Anti-Reflexion-Coating.1325.0.html

 

Hi Zack/zfree,

Would you please write your analysis on - "13.3" Widescreen ViewGuard™ Anti-Glare Matte Screen Protector"? I want to buy the Dell XPS m1330 but having screen matte is very important for me.

Thanks.

 

Hi Zack/zfree,

Would you please write your analysis on - "13.3" Widescreen ViewGuard™ Anti-Glare Matte Screen Protector"? I want to buy the Dell XPS m1330 but having screen matte is very important for me.

Thanks.

 

Please update zfree..

 

Hi all,

I read this great discussion a week ago, because I was annoyed with the glossy screen on my new Dell M1330. I went ahead and bought the viewguard 13.3 inch anti glare filter and is VERY happy with it and would recommend it if you are not a big fan of a glossy screen. I wasnt aware of the difference between glossy and matte before I bought my Dell was about to return it until I found the good advise in this forum. Even Dell customer care were not aware of this filter and said he could arrange for it to be picked up for return. I hope this comment can help others in same situation as I was in. The 13.3 inch filter fits perfectly on the screen, easy to attach and the price was great compared with other anti glare filters.
http://www.buyviewguard.com/catalog/...hp?id=133-1610
The filter can also be bought at www.buy.com

Cheers

 

Thanks for the short review. By any chance you can post up some pics? I can't find any actual pic online. Basically I want to see how those Self-Adhesive Filter Holding Tabs look like. I didn't really like the finishing of the 3M one, it doesn't perfectly seat/seal on the screen, kinda ugly imo.

 

Nice review

 

believe that the self-adhesive filter holding tabs is for the privacy shield, not for the matte screen protector

just a few questions
1) is the amount of light decreased? (and do u have the LED or the CCFL display?)
2) do you think the extra thickness is a problem? The m1330 has the keys and screens touching vry closely, some report the keys make impressions(but can be wiped off) on the LCD if the LCD was pressed on.... do you think the extra thickness contributes to such a problem, or it helps to protect the actual LCD screen?

 

I have both the ViewGuard Anti-Glare Matte Screen Protector and the ViewGuard Anti-Glare Frameless Privacy Filter. The screen protector is similar a film that you apply to the surface of the screen and is left on all the time. You can remove it but I haven't tried to remove it yet. I bought the screen protector because I hate the Dell M1330's glossy display (I have the LED back lit display) and I don't use my privacy filter all the time since it is tinted. (On a tangent, I am actually disliking my M1330 more and more as the touchpad keeps shocking me). When I use my privacy filter, I just slide it onto my screen and it is held on using tabs.

As for paper_wastage's questions:

1. the self-adhesive filter holding tabs is for the privacy shield, not for the matte screen protector

True. The screen protector has silicone on the back to hold it onto the screen.

1) is the amount of light decreased? (and do u have the LED or the CCFL display?)

I have a LED display and I can't tell if there is a decrease. It does have a matte finish though--which is what I want.

2) do you think the extra thickness is a problem? The m1330 has the keys and screens touching vry closely, some report the keys make impressions(but can be wiped off) on the LCD if the LCD was pressed on.... do you think the extra thickness contributes to such a problem, or it helps to protect the actual LCD screen?

I don't have any problem. I actually don't have a problem when I use the privacy filter, which is much thicker, with the lid closed. Sometimes with the privacy filter there is a little indention caused by the power button but that is it.

 

Thanks for the update on this product, I really think I'm going to pick one of these up -- the glare from my screen is the only thing I don't like about the display on this notebook.

I love it other than the freakin' glossy display.

Ugh- are kidding me?! Shipping is $13/14!! Almost the price of the filter itself. I might wait a bit... although it would be nice not having this glossy display. Can't believe that shipping is this high.

 

@rocketscientist, thanks for the info..... will probably get one for my laptop... matte > glossy in outdoors

 

Click on "Ship to a Commercial Address" and the shipping comes down $2 to $3.

 

any pics of the m1330+matte in outdoor conditions? (eg with sun on the screen)

 

When I get home (from my travels) I can take a few.

 

Here is a positive review that someone posted on Dell's IdeaStorm website. http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/62733/Avoid_Glare_On_Screens_and_Notebook_Frames?page=3

 

Nice picture!

 

+ve.... looks nice....reps

 

Damn looks awesome, I'm considering this myself for the m1530. Can anyone compare the difference between the privacy filter and anti-glare screen protector? Does the privacy filter still have the same brightness as just the anti-glare screen protector? Is it worth it to get the filter or should I just get the protector?

edit: also can anyone compare the VG with 3M's privacy filter?

 

I just bought this on Friday from Viewguard. The above photos made the decision for me. The glare on the M1330 and pretty much all laptops now drive me nuts. It's almost impossible using this computer on battery with the brightness turned down.

The filter will be delivered tomorrow (afternoon probably) -- and I'll take shots sometime later this week.

Excellent pictures, when will PC manufacturers realize that we don't want the "vibrant" colors of TrueLife etc., if you can't use the product in well lit areas?

 

One of the admins gave me this coupon code that can be used for 10% off. The mailing said that it expires on 6/26 but it is still valid as of time of posting.

APOMSPRINGSPECIAL08

 

awesome. thanks!

 

I'm with you Zach. I WANT to buy an XPS m1330 but i absolutely refuse to buy a glossy screen. I think you, me and everyone should send emails to Dell and all the manufacturers demanding they give us a choice. Once they see EVERYONE buy matte, they'll go back to a clearly superior technology. Glossy is just for show. It looks nice in the store. Then you hate it forever.

I can't believe they're going backwards like this. I wonder how long we get to suffer with glossy screens before they listen to us?

 

Dell isn't the only one. It is now the overwhelming majority now that PC/Mac notebooks are glossy type screens. In fact, at my latest trip to Best Buy, every single notebook (aside from a beautiful MacBook pro.) was glossy displays. Glossy displays aren't awful; some people can deal with it, some glossy displays are worse than others.

Atleast, atleast Dell is considering offering matte type screens in the future as a possibility with the implementation of their "IdeaStorm" website. Kudos to them. They might start offering more matte displays in the future; but I wouldn't hold your beath.

As for this filter? Read below .... You might want to pick a M1330 or any other computer with a glossy display soon.

 

13.3" Viewguard Anti-Glare Filter​

So, I received my filter on Thursday after ordering it from their website on Friday afternoon.

I'll make it short and sweet and as quick to the point as possible ...

Pros:
*It fits the display perfectly, and is mated exactly to fit your screen. I assume the same can be said for their 14.1" and 15.4" widescreen models.
*It does reduce glare significantly, which was the major reason why I purchased the filter. There is still slight bit of glare, but it is very insignificant and on par of what you'd get with a traditional matte screen.

Cons:
All is not well ...
*Shipping was ridiculous; at $9.00+ for shipping, I thought it was a little expensive. When it comes to your door, you see why. The packaging ViewGuard used to send the filter is absolutely ridiculous, I could easily fit my M1330 inside the box along with power adapter, etc. It was A LOT of waste, and the consumer pays. It shouldn't have cost over 4-5 to ship the filter.

*Air bubbles, air bubbles, air bubbles.... application of the filter is not as easy as you'd think it would be. Once you have it perfect, you're not going to take it off. Typing this right now, I still have a few air pockets at the bottom of the screen and certain small bubbles around the screen. Although it does seem like it will get better with time.

Note, if ANY ANY type of lint or small debris is stuck on the back of the filter, it's going to be a major pain in the rear getting rid of the bubbles.

** Apply filter with a clean screen and do not put the filter any where near things that can get stuck on the silcone "sticky" surface.

For what you get, you're kinda thinking "That's it? Are you kidding me?" but in the end, it does the main thing that many people here want it to do.

Conclusion
While this was easily one of the most frusterating products I've ever had to install, due to possibly not applying it on to the T. In the end, it was worth it. It's much cheaper than selling your computer and replacing it with a laptop fixed with a matte display.

It's a very nitch product, and while I think it's tremendous what ViewGuard does -- it essentially allows you to utilize your computer in bright light settings (like class rooms and offices). I still feel that shipping was a little overcharged and take my word, follow the instructions to the T and you'll be a happy camper.

Essentially for $25, I've more or less I'd say 90% got the qualities of a matte screen and don't worry if you're frusterated with air bubbles. Just be paitent and hopefully they'll go away.

Note: Pictures will be added in the next few days.

 

I would love to get to see some pictures

 

Me too

 

Good afternoon, everyone! I hope you don’t mind if I join your conversation. I am the CEO of ViewGuard and a customer of ours that is a NotebookReview member was kind enough to bring this discussion to the attention of our Customer Service Reps.

I would like to say thank you for the interest in our product. We attempt to be as customer-friendly as possible and develop new and novel products for laptops and desktops. It was customer feedback from individuals like you that led us to develop the ViewGuard Anti-Glare Matte Screen Protector. It was a spin-off of our ViewGuard Anti-Glare Frameless Privacy Filter as many of our customers only wanted the anti-glare feature. Therefore, we develop a new product that was great at turning high-gloss screens into a matte display.

Also, I would like to apologize for our shipping costs. As a newer company we haven’t quite found the sweet spot when it comes to efficiently and reliably getting our products to our customers. The most important thing to us is getting your order to you safe-and-sound in a timely manner but we have found that unless we overpackage the items during shipment we have no guarantee that they will arrive in usuable condition—regardless of the shipping carrier. I can say though that we are developing custom boxes that will be smaller, lighter and more sturdy to protect our products during shipment. This will allow us to reduce our shipping costs up to 30% in the near future. We are trying to reduce the shipping costs for everyone as paying higher shipping fees doesn’t benefit us our our customers--but the most important point is getting your order into your hands undamaged.

Lastly, you can contact me at CEO at BuyViewGuard.com if you have any feedback for me or my team. Please visit the installation manual at http://www.buyviewguard.com/manuals/ViewGuard-AG-Installation-Manual.pdf to learn more about the installation process. We are continually improving the product and hope we can continue to offer you unique products in the near-future. We have a few new products coming up over the next couple of months that we think are going to be a big hit.

 

Welcome CEO@ViewGuard! I have the Acer 6920G Gemstone Blue with a 16” 16:9 aspect ratio screen. Do you make custom sized screen size filters? With the market diversifying in the next few years, there will be changes in screen size as we have seen with the transition between standard 4:3 aspect screens to widescreen 16:10 screens.

 

Sgogeta4 - We don't currently make this size but we can custom make it. Send me an e-mail if interested and I can see if I can speed something along for you. Similar to you have mentioned, we are anticipating more of a trend towards the 16:9 aspect ratio. Several manufacturers have already announced upcoming models with this aspect ratio (I am sure you can find coverage for those announcements right here on NotebookReview.com). We hope to have these size products standard as soon as it makes sense.

I will add the 16.0" 16:9 aspect ratio to our list for evaluation. We are already investigating a 16.4" 16:9 (Sony FW) product and 18.4" 16:9 (Toshiba Qosmio) product.

We will probably see more fragmentation moving forward based on screen size. In Q1 2008 the 15.4" Widescreen and the 14.1" Widescreen were the most popular laptop sizes sold but with the popularization of the sub-notebook (7.9" and 8.9") and the trend towards the 16:9 aspect ratio there are going to be a lot more screen size options for the consumer moving forward. I think it is going to be quite a while before the 16:9 aspect ratio becomes standard on notebooks but we will do our best to keep up with and ahead of the technology curve.

 

more pics!>...

just ordered my m1330, will order the viewguard screen tmr... (any discounts? > )

 

sgogeta4 - you have a PM response to your email.

 

Perhaps those that have the Viewguard product installed can share on whether there's a noticable reduction in the backlight coming from the notebook LCD. If CEO@ViewGuard would like to chime in on this and maybe give us some hard figures (nits or cd/m2) that would be nice. Thanks!

 

I'm such a slacker for not putting up pictures of this thing on. Sorry guys... I'll get to it I swear (I'm still trying to get rid of some of the air bubbles on the bottom and left edge....)

To answer your question of whether the filter decreases the amount of backlight coming from the LCD. Unlike others, I tend to say that I can't see any difference from my brightness all the way down through midway on the gauge. When the LCD brightness is all the way up, however, I can tell a bit of brighter picture. (I'm talking just a 10% difference.... nothing of any noteable difference here.)

Note that I am using the CCFL standard display, and as it is plugged in the picture is just as bright as it would be without the filter on. Personally, since I've had this little filter I've kept the LCD brightness all the way down to conserve battery life. It's just as easy to read text and pictures with the brightness down as it is all the way up.

Now if I can just do something with these annoying bubbles on the bottom and left hand side.... I'm afraid to take the thing off as it may cause the same problem all over again. Decisions decisions.

 

This is a suggestion for those that want to apply the filter with out specks of dust creating bubbles, etc. This is the method I learned WAY BACK when we had to install a special back light for the Gameboy Advanced, since it was critical that there be no bubbles. Next to using a very rigid flat edge to smooth things out, you should be applying the filter in a steam filled room. The easiest way is to seal yourself in a bathroom and turn up the hot water. Wait until the mirrors start steaming up. What this does is reduce the amount of particles floating around (I'm guessing the steam/water increases the density in particles). I've applied filters *Perfectly* using this method many times. Anyways I hope that helps.

 

Before: Glossy Screen/Mirror


AFter Matte screen protector (i know there are bubbles, trying to get them out, but they aren't that visible if the whole screen isn't all black)


cuts down on glare, the protector probably blocks some light(maybe a notch of brightness lower than before applying), but the LED LCD(for my xps m1330) is still very bright at full brightness

will post some real life pics in the sun, just not today(too busy)

other thread in dell xps forum: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=275481

(i know about the trick of hot steam room = less particles... just not that worried about screen protector looking bad since my laptop's just one week old and its been closed on my desk..... will use that trick when i laminate my laptop using bestskinsever

@JustBrowsing, same problem
left side of screen has a lot of bubbles... probably the method of applying(i applied left side first, harder to put it on at the first time=more bubbles, right side = easy to smooth out=less bubbles...)

not going to redo the protector again... 2 troublesome






@CEO@ViewGuard...... shipping the viewguard protector in a large box is kinda overkill.....think u could have done the same shipping cheaper via
1) tube, like shipping a poster/certificate, even less possibility of damage, unless you are unable to bend the screen protector enough to make a circle to fit the tube
2) USPS priority box.... $8.95(or less if u dont use the flat-rate box), definitely big enough to fix a 13.3" protector with probably $5 shiping

 

Sorry for the delay in responding to liaoip and paper_wastage. The light transmission of a display with the ViewGuard Anti-Glare Matte Screen Protector attached is roughly 90% so there will not be a noticeable reduction in brightness. Also, as paper_wastage mentioned we do feel our boxes are a tad overkill (we went in this direction in January to prevent some of our shipping partners from destroying our previous packaging). We are working on new custom boxes to minimize space while protecting product. There are details of it on our blog: http://www.buyviewguard.com/our-blog.php.

Thanks everyone for giving ViewGuard a chance.

 

Are there any coupon codes left for the Viewguard products?

 

sorry to post on a old thread but i just wondered if anyone an get onto buyviewguard website, i can get onto the homepage but when i click 13.3 or any of the sizes the page doesnt load. I take it they are still in business?

 

Works for me.

 

Are there any coupon codes left for the Viewguard products?

FreeCleaningSupplies

Free ViewGuard Anti-Static, Alcohol-Free LCD Screen Cleaner: Automatically added when above coupon entered. Thanks!

 

I wouldnt add a privacy filter onto the screen as it may ruin the resolution. Just leave as it is, that is my 2 cents.