Acer Extensa EX4420 stuck pixel / dead pixel

I'm posting this as a general FYI.

About two weeks ago, I ordered the Acer EX4420-5910 from TigerDirect.com for $599 after reading dozens of 5-star user reviews on their website.

When it arrived a few days later I immediately opened the package, attached the battery, plugged in the AC adapter and powered on the machine.

As it started to boot I noticed a blue speck on the dark background while windows was loading.

I rebooted to double check, and sure enough it was still there. I immediately called TigerDirect's Customer Service, told them the problem and was given an RA number and a pre-paid shipping label via e-mail.

I returned the laptop to its original packaging, slapped on the new label and dropped it off at UPS.

Exactly 1 week later I received a replacement of the same model. Just as I did before, I set it up ASAP and booted it up to make sure there were no defects. To my disbelief, this machine had the same problem! Only this time the pixel was in a different location. (This time it was in the upper right corner.)

I had originally referred to this as a "dead pixel" when in fact, after doing a bit of research I learned this is actually a stuck pixel.

(A dead pixel is a pixel that remains unlit, which appear black on a white screen; A stuck pixel is one that remains lit, usually a red, yellow, green or blue color, and is usually most visible against a dark background.)

I visited some websites that offered several suggestions as to how to fix a stuck pixel, but I tried a few of the methods and had no luck. I tried to gently massage the screen near the pixel, gently tapping the screen, even using a software tool to try and revive the pixel by rapidly flashing bright colors in the area around the pixel. None of these methods produced any result.

So I called TigerDirect a second time, and to my surprise they gave me no hassle whatsoever. They e-mailed me another pre-paid shipping label and I will be dropping the laptop off at UPS in the morning.

TigerDirect no longer carries this laptop (I must have ordered mine from the last batch they received,) so I agreed to receive a HP model with the same price tag and similar specs. (The HP has less RAM but a slightly larger screen and comes with a Lightscribe DVD Burner!)

Overall I am very pleased in dealing with TigerDirect. I'm not too happy with Acer for making these defective units, but I can't really hold anything against them since I did not make any attempt to contact them regarding this purchase. My opinion of Acer will remain neutral however I will not likely purchase any Acer product in the near future.