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    So, I thought the M15x had a GLASS screen- Tiny dents/scratches in screen

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by JWest, May 16, 2010.

  1. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    I just noticed while cleaning my screen (just a damp microfiber cloth) that my 2 week old M15x has some pretty bad dot-like scratches at the top of the screen, close to where the trackpad would meet it when closed. They look like the kind of dents you'd see on a plastic screen, not a glass one, and I was under the impression that the M15x had a glass screen.

    This is pretty bothersome to me, since the whole reason I opted to get a lappy with a glass screen was that the matte screen on my old laptop had gotten some permanent marks on it from the keyboard, and I thought a glass screen would prevent that.

    I'll try to post some pics tomorrow, since I have to get to bed at the moment, but this is pretty aggravating. Is it worth calling a tech to replace the screen? I mean, it's technically a small problem, and after the several horror stories I've read on this site about untrained techs ruining people's alienware lappies, I probably don't want one to come over anyway.
     
  2. doc0075579

    doc0075579 Notebook Consultant

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    I have the same thing.... I don't really see them unless I really look, but they are there.
     
  3. alienwolf

    alienwolf Notebook Deity

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    I started to get the same thing, so I now put a micro fiber cloth across keyboard to protect everything before closing the top. That works great.. :cool:
     
  4. Hobgoblinpie

    Hobgoblinpie Notebook Evangelist

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    Like alienwolf, I put a piece of cloth between the screen and touchpad. I use a glasses cleaning cloth but any lint-free cloth should work.
     
  5. chituan

    chituan Notebook Guru

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    isn't it that the 2 small pieces at left and right corners of the palmrest prevent the screen from touching the keyboard and touchpad ???. I try to close the lid and notice that the screen does not touch the touchpad, not sure about the keyboard though but I can still see light through when the lid is closed.
     
  6. redandblack1287

    redandblack1287 Notebook Consultant

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    Mine had this problem out of the box. Its stupid and annoying, but I'm afraid to get greedy about it and call a tech to fix it =|
     
  7. Hobgoblinpie

    Hobgoblinpie Notebook Evangelist

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    chituan, when you apply some pressure (in my case, books pushing against the lid) the screen and touchpad can have contact.
     
  8. inap

    inap .........................

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    had same issue and had the screen replaced.
     
  9. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    Well at least I'm not the only one with the issue :/

    It sucks because I really love this laptop overall, but those little things bother me :( Maybe if it gets worse overtime I'll have the screen replaced.
     
  10. inap

    inap .........................

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    yeah it wasn't that bad, i can hardly see it, but had the keyboard replaced so i just mentioned it and they sent a new screen, i was real worried the new screen would have dead pixels but thankfully it was perfect.
     
  11. BigPixelin

    BigPixelin Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have this problem too. You said they sent you a new screen. Did you install it? Or did you send you laptop out?
     
  12. Breaking Brian

    Breaking Brian Notebook Evangelist

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    Its darn easy to install a laptop screen. I've done several. If this happens to mine perhaps I can score a free 1080p ugrade for the trouble.
     
  13. miahsoul

    miahsoul Notebook Deity

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    I got a screen protector and I don't see anything expect for the marks from the rubber thingies on the palmrest.
     
  14. inap

    inap .........................

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    They sent the screen with the onsite tech, but I did the replacement myself. Took around 20mins to do.
     
  15. ukera

    ukera Notebook Evangelist

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  16. Breaking Brian

    Breaking Brian Notebook Evangelist

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    Crap this is gonna bug the hell outta me. I don;t have any markings yet but they seem to be appearing for everyone. Heaven forbid I actually go through the grueling process of installing a laptop screen protector... Ugh! Perhaps I should get that ultra portable Razer mouse pad.... Heck they even advertise it as being placed in between the keyboard and screen.
     
  17. Datus

    Datus Notebook Consultant

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    cant see how you can get marks from the laptop unless as posted you apply pressure on the lid.

    im very gently with it and use the 9cell battery to carry it like a bag.

    if your going to put it in a ruck sack then perhaps a cloth in between screen/KB to be on the safe side isnt a bad idea.

    just be careful.....
     
  18. battousai10k

    battousai10k Notebook Evangelist

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    I'll warn you against that, I got the Kabuto thinking it would help. But what happens is that it attracts dust and when u put it between the screen and keyboard, the outline of the mouse pad will sow up on the screen, so you will be forced to wipe it off.
     
  19. inap

    inap .........................

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    Just us the clear plastic they used to cover the screen when you get the laptop new. Been doing that for awhile now, plus its free and you should already have it.

    I don't recommend a mouse pad or cloth its to thick. Also I found that wax paper cut to size is good too.
     
  20. Breaking Brian

    Breaking Brian Notebook Evangelist

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    Shame that we have to resort to this. I'll look ever so awesome pulling a piece of noisey plastic off my keyboard every time I use my laptop in class...
     
  21. Breaking Brian

    Breaking Brian Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks for the warning bro, you saved me 20 bucks.
     
  22. fl0yd13

    fl0yd13 Notebook Enthusiast

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    i also have scratches from the track pad i believe.
    should i get dell to replace my screen?
     
  23. ukera

    ukera Notebook Evangelist

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    What's a good screen cleaning product?
     
  24. battousai10k

    battousai10k Notebook Evangelist

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    This is really the best option. I don't advise anyone wasting money on a microfibre cloth. To protect the M15x we need something thin.

    When I had the MSI GX640 (before returning it and getting the M15x), MSI provided a very thin foam type sheet with MSI branding that would go over the keyboard and touch pad. It was such a simple thing to do, but it helps so much. If only AW did something like that.

    Aside from that it would be nice if we could get a custom M15x sleeve like the M11x :D
     
  25. Acren

    Acren Notebook Guru

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    I have also noticed scratches. A tech should be coming round soon to fix some other problems, I'll see if I can get them to bring another screen. Will dell just give me another screen if I say it has scratches?

    I'm thinking about that razer mousepad as a protector for the screen once I have it replaced though, I need a good mousepad for my laptop anyway. What exactly is the problem with the kabuto? I have the destructor for my desktop and I am nothing short of impressed with it.
     
  26. Breaking Brian

    Breaking Brian Notebook Evangelist

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    The main issue is that while It can be used as a screen protector it just results in a dirty oiley screen over time... Such as a microfiber cloth it seems as it would eventually have to be replaced....

    Actually... What if we just used a small microfibre cloth and placed it over the track pad? There easily replacable and cheap!
     
  27. Sean@SNG.net

    [email protected] Notebook Guru

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    anyone tried to get a zagg shield or phantomskinz?
     
  28. battousai10k

    battousai10k Notebook Evangelist

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    To my knowledge there is no invisible shield type thing for the new M15x. They only have them for the old models.
     
  29. Acren

    Acren Notebook Guru

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    I have a tech coming tomorrow, could I ask them to bring a replacement screen because of the scratches? Or are small scratches not enough reason to get a replacement?
     
  30. ukera

    ukera Notebook Evangelist

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    Would the Razer Sphex desktop skin be suitable to stop the scratching?
     
  31. Breaking Brian

    Breaking Brian Notebook Evangelist

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    I wouldnt trust a hard surfaced mouse pad to keep my screen unscratched.
     
  32. Plow

    Plow Notebook Enthusiast

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    My 15X is 2 months old I too have noticed small scratches around my camera and top of the screen. I called Dell and was told this is not covered under my warranty.. bummer.
    Wish there was a way just to replace the plastic - is there?

    By the way... been looking at these forums for a long time - thanks to everyone for all the help and info. I couldn't be happier with my Alienware so far!
     
  33. Breaking Brian

    Breaking Brian Notebook Evangelist

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    Bullcrap it isnt covered under basic warranty... Its a design flaw. I'm gonna be breaking some hypothetical necks the day Dell gives me the finger.
     
  34. Acren

    Acren Notebook Guru

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    God... I really hope I can persuade them to replace mine :S

    Then I can just get a soft mousepad to protect it and forget about it...
     
  35. Jstarnino

    Jstarnino Notebook Deity

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    wow didnt even know there was a thread on this. I too noticed the small scratches on my screen near the top, presumably form the trackpad. After being ULTRA careful with this laptop ( no seriously, never have i treated something with more care) and I still got the dot-like scratches.

    As i also had a couple of bright pixels that i just noticed not long ago, I called up Dell today and they're replacing my screen. Didnt take any convincing, and i completely left out the whole "scratch" problem out of the picture, incase the tech would think im trying to get a new scren because i scartched mine. Tech should call me tomorrow to schedule an appointment.
     
  36. BigPixelin

    BigPixelin Notebook Enthusiast

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    They sent a tech to replace my screen when I told them I was unhappy the trackpad had scratched the screen.
     
  37. agusman

    agusman when the going gets weird

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    I have found tiny marks which looked like scratches/dents, but they went away after some rubbing with 20% isopropanol and a microfiber cloth.
     
  38. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    I could give it a shot on mine, but I swear these look like full on nicks/scratches.
     
  39. miahsoul

    miahsoul Notebook Deity

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    After 3 months of good care, I haven't a screen scratch to report. Got some minor scuffs on the lid though, but you can only see them in a certain lighting condition. :D
     
  40. FXi

    FXi Notebook Deity

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    If the screen was glass the increased weight would be unpleasant to most.
     
  41. miahsoul

    miahsoul Notebook Deity

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    Still would've been good. D:
     
  42. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    No it wouldn't, look at all of Apple's notebooks, their screens are glass. And I thought this screen was glass, now I'm not so sure.
     
  43. miahsoul

    miahsoul Notebook Deity

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    Yeah. I'm pretty sure this M15x screen is some sort of plastic. I can get the screen to flex and cause distortions.
    Should this computer come with edge to edge glass or plastic? Notebookcheck claims it couldn't get the screen to distort at all with pressure at any area of the lid... All review sites claim it's edge to edge glass, but none of them say it's plastic. IF THE REVIEWERS GET A GLASS SCREEN I WANT A GLASS SCREEN TOO.
     
  44. jacker60

    jacker60 Notebook Consultant

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    Mine im sure its plastic, i can flex it and get distortion in the screen, if it were glass i can flex it... or i maybe broke it XD but no... i think its plastic...
     
  45. BigPixelin

    BigPixelin Notebook Enthusiast

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    Mine is defiantly plastic. No question in my mind. I also have read multiple times that it had a glass screen.
     
  46. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    If you are talking about the dimple marks from the touchpad, yes - I see the same on the 17xR1. Its a non issue to me since I know that the touchpad will acquire finger oil and when I do notice it on screen I just grab my microfiber cloth and wipe away. No scratches but you may be seeing something else entirely.

    The bumpers will also leave a mark however it wipes away as well.

    As for the glass vs plastic, its plastic. Never saw the E2E cover described as glass on the AW site. The 17x is plastic also.
     
  47. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    I believe on one of the videos that they had about the design of the M17x they stated that it had an "edge-to-edge glass" screen. So.... yeah, kinda confused here.
     
  48. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    On another note, here's some quotes from M15x reviews:

    Laptop Magazine:
    PC Magazine:
    CNet.com:
    So....
     
  49. BigPixelin

    BigPixelin Notebook Enthusiast

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    The tech just left from replacing the screen due to the scratches and I could not be more pissed than I am now. They sent and he installed the 900p screen when I had the 1080. I made it a point to make sure the tech on the phone ordered the 1080.

    Side note: I don't understand how people prefer the 900 over the 1080. So much lost space.
     
  50. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    Games perform better at native res on the 900 (since it's a lower res obviously), and it's easier on the eyes for most. Heck, I'm a young lad of 20 and I think that the 1080 screen would just be too squinty for me.
     
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