M11x R1/R2/R3 Screen Comparison (Courtesy of NotebookCheck)

The M11x has always had an adequate display. The R3 doesn't seem to change that. In fact, it actually seems like Alienware somehow managed to put a worse panel in it. We'll have to wait for users to receive their systems for a final verdict, but NotebookCheck was dissatisfied in their review. I put together a comparison by taking all of the site's display test photos for the R1, R2, and R3, and placing them below. Most notably pay attention to the black bars on the left and right of the display (that practically blend into the dark on the R1 and R2...).

R1:


R2:


R3:


NotebookCheck measured the R3's black level as being two times less deep, which makes in big a difference in contrast, saturation, and quality color reproduction.

 

Problem is that Dell uses many panels from different manufactures in their M11x lines. In my experience, I found 2 to be Samsung-Seiko and 3 to be AUO 105 across the R1 and R2, with the possibility of a LG panel as well according to this forum.

 

NotebookCheck said that they got an AUO panel. I did read one review of the R3 that praised its screen (though it wasn't compared to the previous lineup) and saw one review that demonstrated the inferior panel. It seems the majority of R1/R2 owners did get an AUO panel, but likely a different panel from the AUO panel in the R3.

Can somebody with the new R1/R2 improved hinge design/lid assembly review and compare their new screen? I heard a few people got Samsung displays but didn't hear many details. It would be disappointing if it is the same inferior R3 display, unless the Samsung one is a big improvement and is in the panel draw for the R3.

 

The AOU Dell has is definitely a different panel. NBC identifies their panel as an AOC 305 while my R2 is AOU 105.

 

I wonder if others' thoughts will be in contrast to NotebookCheck's thoughts. It seems odd that Alienware would take what was pretty much the most-criticized aspect of the M11x and make it worse rather than improve it, but those images show as big of a difference as NotebookCheck reported and tested.

 

IMO they look exactly the same

 

The R1 and R2 are pretty much indistinguishable, but look at the light leak on the left and right of the R3 screen. Those are supposed to be black bars. On the R1 and R2 they're black enough to blend in with the bezel. A closer examination shows that the R1/R2 displays the center images with a higher contrast and better saturation as a result of the better black levels.

 

im with you i couldnt tell any difference in the pictures

 

There is more light leakage on the r3 that's for sure,

What really throws it off is the r1 and r2 is in full screen stretch mode for that program that they using sense you can see the task bar.

And the r3 it seems too be just showing the program and nothing else and also the program isint in full screen mode or something which shows the borders unlike the r1 and r2.

But by thoes pics the screen does seem like a downgrade on the r3...

 

It's clear by the responses here that opinions vary widely about the screen quality. Opinions aside, the measurements show the new au panel trades color fidelity and contrast (via higher black levels) in favor of greater brightness. In short, things look washed out.

Movie clip on r3
YouTube - Alienware M11x R3 - Movie Test

 

Which panel are you referring to? The R1, R2 AUO already trades brightness for a slightly better contrast ratio in comparison to the Samsung-Seiko.

 

It seems the new au panel in the r3 goes the opposite way. Brighter, less contrasty, poor colors compared to old au panels in r1 and r2.

 

Just lower the gamma level in the r3 and it will still be brighter with darker blacks.

 

It's not that simple. LCD TVs use tricks like those to make their black levels look better, but they're just tricks and many LCD TVs don't have great black levels even with the tricks. The black level is a display's natural ability to display shades of black, and with such a high black level, there's really no way to fix it.

 

+ 1

either i'm stupid or dell actually keeps their products consistent?

 

They were in the R1 and R2. The R3 looks noticeably worse even in the pictures in terms of black levels and contrast, which are big contributors of a display's quality.

 

A couple of things.

There's most definitely variation within models. I've had two AUO105C panels and the second measured significantly lower luminance (brightness) levels than the first one I had. There's lots of evidence that from one panel to the next chances are you're going to see varied display characteristics. These are all cheap panels (the LG was never part of the M11x line, but was reported here by someone who nagged an onsite tech to install one during a repair). This contributes to some of the variety of opinion you see on the M11x display - that and most people's own ideas about display quality are all over the place.

Secondly, properly photographing displays isn't easy to do. There are TONS of variables that can lead to huge variations in the end result.

Same camera? Same lens? Same white balance settings? Same ISO settings? Shutter and Aperture? Exactly same shooting angle relative to the display? Same distance? That's just a few of the things that could differ from one photo shoot to the next. I think the guys at NBC do take the time to setup a controlled environment when they shoot displays for their reviews, but that by no means makes those photos something you should be using for comparison. That's just silly...

 

It don't matter anyway unless you are comparing it to radiance or IPS display. R1/R2/R3 all have good decent display. Not great or perfect

What matters is the new features of the r3 compared to r1 and r2. R3 with a $300 discount is perfect but since that coupon is gone then it is not worth paying $1500+ for it atm.

 

I don't know what all the fuss is about the screen. I know it's pretty glary, but so was my old MSI Gx-630. The m11x has much better contrast and color depth than the screen on the aforementioned laptop. I also recently installed the anti glare screen from the Dell website (bought on amazon for 10$ cheaper) and I couldn't be happier.

 

the R3 is only $999 where im at.

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They look the same imo.

 

Yeah. I own the R2. Just got my R3 today.

Compared them sitting right next to each other. They look the same.

Really, it's silly to try to make analysis and base judgments on pictures only. I got worried after reading all the 'detailed' picture analysis. Sure glad I did not base my purchase choice on the negative speculations.

 

So glad for your feedback on this. I feel much better. Was worried about the screen and the battery life, but posts from users like yourself are making me feel a lot better!

Time to finalise my exact options over the weekend, and order next week