A petition to Dell/AW: anti glare screen option.

We can all agree that Dellienware systems are supreme in performance and quality. Do you think Dell should also offer anti-glare screens as an option to allow some of us to use our beats at work and outdoors? Personally, I don't care about the weight or size of the system, all I want is to be able to use my laptop both at work and for gaming.

 

I see no point to having it, this is a gaming notebook. Matte screens are a thing of the past and they also reduce contrast ratio and dull the colors. So I vote it should not be available, even as an option. It would just lend to more confusion amongst the noobs. Also, I use the R2 in bright sunlight all the time and have no issues. So this seems to be a problem for only a handful of people who I'd suggest buy an anti-glare shield or a different computer altogether. Or at the very least, I think the Dell M6500 should have an antiglare screen option if it doesn't already.

 

I disagree, Joker. Have you seen the anti-glare RGB LED that M6500 (non-covet) offers? It's on par with our RGB LEDs (it's the same actually) and there is no loss of contrast and no color dullness. The old and dull AG screens is the thing of the past.

If you worked with code 8-10 hours a day on your RGB LED, you'd scream for a shield or just ruin your sight.

 

I think that every laptop model should offer a matte non-glare screen option. I'd get it right away. I really like to game and work outside in the Summer and those glare screens are extremely painful to use on those occasions.

 

There's just no way an anti glare will look as good. They diffuse light and thus reduce contrast ratio, there is no way around it afaik. I guess if it really bothers ya, you could try removing the edge to edge cover. From what I remember (tried looking for the link but can't find it), a guy with a studio xps removed his, cut out the edge to edge panel and only left the black borders. It looked pretty good and he ended up with a matte screen.

 

Yes, that's all they have to do, offer one without the plastic cover. It should be matte by default.

BTW, the contrast ratio of my 15" W510 is ~500:1, the old 17" W700 has the ~600:1 and the newer W701 has ~700:1.

 

I prefer less bright colours in a matte screen over seeing myself and other lights or reflections in a glossy screen.

 

What's the luminance on each?

 

LoL, this is the only reason why I still keep my Old School Area-51 m15x even with the my R2. It's nice to have a Matte screen around.

 

W510: FHD~250, HD+~220. The new W701 is supposed to be ~300. But the M6500 both Matte and E2E have the same 300+ as M17X. I bet it's the same screen.


>>>>Just checked the M4400: Brightness 300, contrast 650:1 and of course matte.

 

I agree with Joker as well.
Even Apple does not offer antiglare in an Edge-to-Edge design.

Adding additional options like this for a very small minority will just cause the already high purchase prices to increase - they have to pay for the additional parts procurement and R&D somehow.

In my opinion, the added costs to all users wouldn't be outweighed by the few that could possibly benefit.

 

See with the 300+ nits, the screen is bright enough that glare is minimized even in heavy lighting. At least it is in my case. I guess if you're particularly sensitive to the effects, then it's a distractor. That's why I'd suggest cutting it out or buying an M6500. Creating antiglare screens for a gaming notebook would just add to further confusion, support costs and in the end raise the already high prices of this notebook. Adding one little trivial piece to a configuration can raise overall prices a lot.

 

Apple offers matte screen option or extra 50$. I don't see how it could affect your overall price, lol. When you shell extra 1000$+ for the extreme CPU option, 50$ is nothing.
I would buy a business system (lol I got one right now) but its graphics power is clearly lower and not even optimized for gaming. I'd prefer to get a gaming machine still and use it at work.

 

Do you know what E2E design is?
It's a plastic cover to amplify the glare effect and provide slightly wider viewing angles.
You could as well say Dell doesn't offer a glass cover for matte screens

 

uhhh.... I don't really know of any screen on a laptop that looks decent outdoors. I know one thing, I've never owned one, and yes I've had MAtte SCreens but they still don't look all that great. I just don't use my PC outdoors, there are plenty of other things to do outdoors besides being your PC.

 

I wouldn't sacrifice viewing angles, contrast ratio and bright colors for a little less reflections. At the end of the day, the M17x is a gaming notebook first and foremost and that means optimizing it for bright colors with wide viewing angles. People already have trouble installing Catalyst drivers (just see the mult. threads), adding to that confusion by throwing in the antiglare option will just add to more support problems, returned systems (thus increasing overhead for Dell) and in the end raise prices for us. That's why I said adding one little extra piece to the overall configuration seems trivial but it's not when you take all factors into account. The antiglare option belongs on business class machines and they do offer it. That should be the end of the story there.

 

You don't get much higher contrast (if at all) and more bright screen in M17X, than the high end mobile workstations. What about all those graphics designers who need the best screens more than you do? After all you just use it to play games and can't even fully appreciate the power of the full gamut other then "It looks nice". They use it every day creating those games. Would they sacrifice the brightness and contrast?
They wouldn't and they don't. The best anti-glare screens out there are probably even better than our shiny precioussss. I've seen a new HP 8740w on a presentation a few days ago. It has a 100% gamut IPS panel with DC2 tech and 178degrees WA. And it's anti-glare as well. Our RGB LED screens are just pathetic in comparison, the same way we compare the CCFL vs RGB LED.
In a year from now you'll beg Dell to give you this screen.

Now don't mix the drivers issues and the possibility of getting frustrated with an AG screen. What's the connection? What can possibly go wrong with a matte finish? "Oh my, I can't see myself in the mirror anymore! It's not fair! Gimme back my reflections!" or "I visited my friend and his glare screen is soo much nicer, he can play Crysis while shaving his beard and his GF can at the same time put some makeup using it as a mirror! Gimme my money back!" If that's what you mean, - I rest my case.
This belongs here and that belongs there. It's Us who decide where things belong! You play games and browse the web on it? - Go with the shiny screen. Others play games, write programs and do photo-editing? Let them have an AG screen.
All they need to do is to make user-friendly removable E2E cover and (if necessary) another cover for making it anti-glare. End of story.

 

Game/graphics/web designers use professional level desktop displays to do their work. I'd hope they wouldn't rely on a notebook display to do any serious work.

If the IPS panel proves to be a worthy successor at a cost effective price, I'm sure we'll eventually see it. Why haven't you purchased the HP?

The drivers issue was an example of how a simple issue can be turned into a complex one by people with less experience. Those same type of people may opt for an AG screen and return it because they aren't happy w/the the reduced viewing angles and colors. That adds to Dell's cost along with having to maintain inventory for different panel types and provide support for them (technical, warranty etc). As for the latter part of your statement with regards to making a removable E2E cover, that again requires additional R&D, testing, manufacturing etc. that once again raises prices and adds complexity to the design. I don't think you will ever see a matte screen on a gaming machine in the near future. These companies are trying to simplify their offerings in order to maximize profit, not add to their headaches and create more expenses. Not only that, but demand for matte screens isn't very high. If it were, glossy panels would not have supplanted matte in the market.

With that said, I'm not against an option for matte displays for people like you as long as prices don't go up. However, realistically, the demand just isn't there to justify it for most of these companies that build gaming notebooks.

 

Yes, most of the time they do use desktop screens, but there's still a fair bit of work done on a laptop. Our designers for instance are more mobile and often work on their Precision's for the entire day.

Honestly, I would try it, but FirePro and Quadro with all their power aren't optimized for gaming. I don't really need CAD, but do play games. If there could be a way to flash the new FirePro (M7820) back to 5870 or just buy a single 5870 and make it work there... Anyway, will have to wait for some reviews.

Really, there's no reason to abandon AW, it just Rocks!
Haven't seen a single notebook of equal or surpassing quality and power.

 

I think the brand alienware is expanding beyond gaming and that what the issue is here. ALienware says gaming is what alienware is all about so a few options missing is quite normal.

But being this popular they may want to consider releasing game systems and more "normal" systems.

The benefit: lots of options, cheaper models as well.
The downfall: Everybody will have one lol

So if you want matte screens alienware has to think beyond gaming

 

The xps gen 1 from 2004 had a anti-glare screen matte screen and a track point lol, my friend still has the machine and the screen of course is losing its brightness, but it has amazing screen quality. The same screen for precision m6400 as i read here is the same screen for the R2 so i don't know how there can be a difference since its just some damn forsaking glass covering it, it doesn't at all make a difference. I disliked the Samsung panel due to reds and it was very hard to calibrate it, and now i have a edge to edge yes it is! Its an LG so much brighter colors! Looks great stocked, in my opinion the Edge to Edge looks so much better and it just doesn't have a huge piece of glass covering the screen which makes it heavy to by the way. I can still see it in the sunlight pretty well. I also have E6400 and 6500 and those have amazing screen quality and ratio, brightness, and so easy to view outdoors.

 

No way, cheaper models is synonymous with more issues, worse build "cheap" feeliing build. Been there, done that. Getting tired of everything being targeted to the average consumer.

We need these high end systems so you can experience a higher level of quality/performance.

Dropping down to a lower level means huge burden covering more customers than you can handle....hence why there is Dell. For everyone else.

Alienware is supposed to be a niche product.

 

What if I wanna have some tan while gaming?
How do you define "gaming"? Back in 1998 I had to travel 5 hours by train every day to and from work. I had my old ThinkPad with me and all the time and was enjoying Diablo and Warcraft2. Do you imply that such a situation would be out of the "gaming" range?
There was a thread about the outdoors usage of AW systems and 90% of the owners said they occasionally bring their beasts to public places, schools, colleges or coffee shops. Is it prohibited to game there?

Dell doesn't need to work hard to include this option, doesn't need to think beyond gaming. Everything is there already.

 

My understanding of this issue is that there isn't an edge to edge display (like we use on all Alienware systems) available in matte. Everything out there that will work on Alienware would apparently have a bezel, which is a no go with the Alienware ID. The marketing team is evaluation some screen covers (static stickers) that have a similar effect. Depending upon performance, this might be available in the future.

 

I have always ordered machines with matte screens. In fact, I go out of my way to ensure this option. Were there a comperable system to the M11x that had a matte screen, I would buy it. I just ordered the M11x and will suffer the gloss, but a company seeking to have me as a loyal customer will need to offer a matte screen. Until Dell makes matte a standard option, I'll be looking at viable competitive products.

 

Some of the M17X owners reported in the past that they managed to cut out the plastic frame of the cover layer and achieve the same (matte) effect. Would it be possible to just expose the inner screen and maybe apply some additional protective layer without remodeling the entire lid?
In addition, I tried a few films/filters but sticking them over the plastic cover ruins the image quality.

Anyway, it's good to know that you guys at the very least think about it.
Now, if you could let the proper team know that (judging by our poll numbers so far) over 70% of your customers on this forum would really benefit from that option.
Personally, I wouldn't mind paying extra for the option. It's so important for me, that I'd rather sacrifice the performance than settle for a glare type screen. I'm typing this message from a newly purchased Lenovo W510. Didn't really need this system, just payed 1300$ for a decent notebook with a decent anti glare screen to able to work with code without killing my retinas.
I'd gladly pay Dell instead and use the M17X for both work and entertainment.
Do you see the point?
Strategic warning: What do you think will happen if the next Clevo's come with anodized aluminum and matte screen options?

 

Haha I don't see that happening. They've been using plastic for years.

 

They didn't have a huge competition before M17X-R1
But there was a time when they had an anti glare option for 15" models.

 

Not only matte screen, I want to be able with this lil monster, to go: scuba diving, swimming (maybe put some cushion and use it as a floating head rest on water), snowball fighting like DRS ARMOR C12 and I want and possibly upgrading the free fall sensor so that the hard drive survives if I happen to go bungee jumping.

Just kidding, yea at least some matter cover would be nice.

 

Yes i totally see the point, and clevo still offers a matte screen for some of their notebooks, I am glad you made this poll, joker dude you have to learn how to listen to things and not always be so offensive and judging everything, neither am I judging just telling you. I really would love to see a matte option someday.

 

Judging and offensive? I gave frank reasons for why I don't think it will be implemented. You're acting as if I have a say in it and I'm withholding it from people lol! If it were up to me, I'd have dell custom build a matte display for akimox.

 

A few years back, matte went away because gloss was more showy on the floor and produced a sharper contrast. Uneducated buyers snapped them up because they didn't know they were sacrificing usability. Alienware buyers are not uneducated, and we know the frustrations of excessive glare. I find it a little insulting that manufacturers don't have focus groups for niche products like this BEFORE release; they would gain a strong competitive advantage and we would gain better products.

I think one of the reasons we have glare screens today is built in obselescence. They put enough great stuff in to entice us, but hold back on enough to ensure we will buy R2... and R3... and R4. It's exploitation of a customer base really, but I'm in marketing and I see it done often. Before Alienware was Dell, posts like this led innovation and were a driving force with which image and market position was obtained. Focus groups were the norm and Alienware was creme. The company's edge isn't as sharp... it's weakening because the fundamentals upon which it became great have been left behind.

{rant}
As a managing company, Dell has gone soft. The company fails to recognize that unique demographics are the perfect source for guidance. The M11x is an amazing piece of hardware with shortfalls that would have been easily identified by even one focus group.

Between the ESL order desk and techs that don't know which end of the computer plugs into the wall, you might say I'm frustrated. There is so much Dell could do to be a stronger company, starting with consulting the people like us that want to buy thier products.

I so want a sucker punch system again... you know, the kind you see and it's one two - pow right to the kisser. Where I can't help but open my wallet wide because it's just too hard not to. I'm sure they could do it if they put some serious effort into listening to buyers. It would hurt my pocketbook, but in that oh so good kind of way. And Dell... if you're listening... it would have a matte screen option.
{/rant}

 

Its capitalism my friend...

 

I voted "I don't care". I prefer glossy screens over matte, doesn't make a difference to me if Alienware has matte as an option or not because I will never buy it.

 

Lol, thanks, m8!
You know, because of you I'm back to my M17X and sending the lenovo to its origins. No more plastic boxes for me. If that's their highest quality - it will be a long long time before I ever touch a plastic notebook again.
Also, I'm gonna buy different filters and shields every day if necessary till I find one that makes the RGB look matte without loss of image quality. I might even consider buying some custom made glasses (like polarized ones) to block the reflections. Will see. Not giving up anymore on the best system in the known universe
Hopefully Dell will heed this thread and make the option available for the future products. Ahoy!

 

A good portion of this topic has been discussing outdoor usage, but I can't even stand it when I'm inside. It's like looking in a mirror. What's the point of a pretty screen when all it's good for is watching what's happening behind you.

 

I initially voted "no" on the matte screen but change my vote to, "I wouldn't pay extra for it but it should be an option". Aikimox has got to get his matte! I'll keep searching for that thread where the guy removed the E2E cover, from what I remember, he did a very nice job. You couldn't tell it ever had a plastic glossy shield.

 

Thanks for your support!
I'm also desperately looking for that thread. It was probably somewhere in the R1 owner's lounge almost a year ago. Couldn't find it.