"Glossy vs matte screens: why the PC industry?s out of touch"

Yes, good job on the custom modding.

+1 rep

It will look cool if you laser etch the Alienware logo in at the bottom of the new screen bezel too.

What are you going to use to cover the 3MP camera?

 

One oiption can be to shape a custom IF/UV micro cover lens... they sell them at photoshops for the micro cameras of today. It can be unexpensive.

 

Correction:

The stock screen is mildly reflective (brightly lit conditions and outdoors) but it has a strong anti glare component and the reflections are very dim/dark and non-disturbing, only noticeable on a very dark background. All in all I think most people will be happy with it and may even prefer it over a proper matte surface due to its crispiness and zero graininess.

As for the custom bezel, we will be working on it together with Speedy, he will focus on aluminum and I will try to make a plastic one and see how far we can go and what additional customization options will be unlocked as we advance. Stay tuned...

 

Totally agree!

I wait! And if you and Speedy can make it such that will not void the warranty... Then... oh, my Godness!!!

edit: you two can become providers for Dellienware

 

+2 reps for aikimox. (one for directing me to the HP8740 and one for this mod)

Wohoooooo, HP8740w on our office, maxxed out w/o the backlit keyboard, hooked up to 30" Samsung so we can edit the operation video...

The reseller robbed us at almost 6000 USD for the maxxed spec notebook, but we make it through with 3 years accidental and replacement on-site.. 24 hrs (we sometimes finished the op above 9 pm, so editing is gonna be another midnight show, by us the juniors)

Thank you aikimox and others...

btw, that m18 looks very tempting with HDMI-in port.. any chance you'll be opening fortnax in Southeast Asia?

 

Thank you!

BTW, next time before ordering Elitebooks or AW, give me a shout first and you may save some $$$ since we ship worldwide

 

Eww... wish I knew that.. we have 10 subdivision, each has one 8740W now thanks to your flattering review of the screen (hence the outrageous demand of 24/7 on-site support). I think we just give the seller agent helluva summer bonus.

Will do that next time (though I doubt it would be in the near future).

 

Yeah, that's unfortunate. At the time of that review I had no access to Elitebooks through our business channels. Today, we fulfill CTO's world-wide.

As for the mod, it will undoubtedly void the warranty and the end user will have to take the risk, so it's a tough choice. If everything goes smooth and the original E2E glass is not damaged in the process, you can always glue it back.

 

That's really a tough choice for my colleagues and me. We depend a lot on the warranty. Instead of "glueing" the E2E cover, can we use double side non-permanent tape? And put it over the new bezel? so it will 'look' as the original damm glued?

 

Yes, you can but the problem is, no one will guarantee that the E2E won't get damaged in the process of removal.

 

Then, is it possible to buy an identical E2E?

 

You may want to explain how the warranty gets voided since the only part you touch is the screen and that is the only part excluded on your warranty ,is not bad because you know right away if you need a screen replacement once you get your machine and you have stuck pixels or bleeding

the good part is you can still call and get your motherboard,graphic cards,cpu,battery,adapter,keyboard and everything else replaced not related to the screen itself so is not that bad

I give credit to Aikimox for doing this because not many people have the balls to do it and i am sure a lot of people hate the reflection

 

Thank you! Yes, all valid points. The only real problem with warranty is if you ever need to return the system for replacement or maintenance. Otherwise, it should be good. Also, there's only a small chance to break the E2E in the process (I was very rushy when cracked mine).

Still, when we are done with modding and good to go, we will have to warn everyone willing to go that route, there's a risk of voiding the warranty, albeit small.

@SOS4Dell,

No there's no way to get the E2E separately from Dell.

 

Any luck finding a new panel to try out?

 

Not yet but hope still remains.

 

Is this a Dellienware joke?

A 14" antiglare protector in the customizing page of a M18x?

 

The biggest joke is to put AG protector over E2E glass, lol. You kill the brightness, contrast and viewing angles with one blow

 

I purchased this and I am satisfied so far... A little tricky to install, but its NOT like a tape product, easy to remove.

Fits the viewable screen perfectly

 

I tried Viewguard but it wasn't perfect, extra fuzziness and reduced brightness. I also tried 3M and a few other products up to a 200$ ones. You can't get a proper matte effect when applying something over a thick external glass cover.

 

Nope, not perfect... BUT, at least I can't see myself in the screen!

 

After removing the E2E glass from my M18x, I don't see myself in the screen but at the same time the super clear and crisp image is still there. The only wish is for a higher gamut IPS,... Hope still remains...

 

The custom bezel project is almost done! ( the plastic/acrylic fiber one)

I will have the first sample with pics on Wednesday. The estimated cost is 50$ per bezel. It will also come with customization, you can choose whatever name/title instead of the classic ALIENWARE.

I will then have the stock E2E cover shipped to Speedy for further R&D (metal bezel).

 

I have a question: are the bezels you are working on laser cut ? or they cutting those with a router ? is the plexy glass clear or what kind and color of material you are using I am not trying to reproduce your work but at $50 i may buy one from you

 

Laser cut and same material as the original E2E - acrylic glass.

 

in that case i may get one from you with Speedy Gonzalez" custom name

 

Sounds good. I will have more info on it by Wednesday.

 

As promised, here you go, custom bezel installed:




It comes with a sticky paper cover on both sides to protect from scratches:



One thing though, adding custom title will cost extra ~20-30$. I already ordered some samples, should be ready next week.

 

Spoiler

wow! Looks amazing I didn't saw this until today what is the brown material on the back of the bezel is just for protection ? how much you charge for the bezel custom name and shipping to the lower 48 states?

 

Where's the LED Alienware logo?

 

Both sides have the brown sticky paper for protection.

The estimated price is 70 + shipping (will check the rates later on)

That's the best part, you can choose any title to be custom made for you
I will have a sample ready next week with the logo and carbon fiber.

 

Thats gonna be sick!!!! I can imagine mine saying skygunner27. You have a fantastic idea that's probably about to be stolen by foreign ebay sellers.

 

It won't be stolen for a simple reason - it's not that easy to remove the E2E. You can easily damage it or the screen, scratch the lid and void the warranty. Not many will go 4 it.

 

Here's another photo of the custom bezel:

 

Niiiiicccceeeeeeeeeeeee. The matte screen really looks sweet!!!
I would like to add your wallpaper to my collection. Where can I find it?

 

You can find it and more here! Enjoy!

BTW, the screen is not matte but rather semi-glossy with an anti-glare component, so you get the best of both worlds - little to no reflection and crystal clear image with zero graininess.

 

Thank you. I'm sure I will find some nice additions to my collection.

 

Do you have any pics of the removal process - I'm 100% sold on your product - however I need to see how risky/difficult it is to remove the E2E.

 

I don't have pics but it is risky. Apparently AW engineers never meant for the E2E to be removable, so they designed it accordingly. First, you need to remove the lid assembly from the system (follow the online manual). Second, remove the anodized aluminum panel with the Alien head (a few more screws on the lid). And the funny part, using sharp and thing blades (I used a steel measuring stick which I found in our lab by accident), slowly cut the glue in between the E2E glass and the lid frame. It will take some time, so be careful and patient, you can easily scratch the lid, crack or break the E2E cover, ruin antennas or even scratch the screen itself.

 

Aikimox, thanks for the pictures awesome pictures! More to add to my ever large collection. Whenever i buy one of these machines i would love to do this. This is exactly the soultion i have been looking for. The screen from what your saying and in the pictures is like the Sony Vaio VPCZ from last year the TN was semi glossy. Which screen did you put into the M18X? It's true that the average consumer doesn't know about a matte screen some of them get tired of using a glossy screen so they move onto another machine from dell or hp even sager to get a matte screen. I never really liked glossy screens personally. It's also now the lack of real customization and choice and the availability to average consumers that also ruined the choice of matte screens for the average consumers. It just seems like the whole world is off paced about a lot of things in general but that's more off topic.

 

Do you guys sell the skin that goes around the outside of the laptop? The 3m Protection

 

+ rep for the desktop background image and the info, I'm going to look into this as well.

 

Hi Aikimox!
Did you and Speedy achieve the planned metal bezel?

 

I think Speedy no longer has M18x to go 4 it. Plus, it makes no sense to increase the weight of the lid with metal when acrylic bezel is already available. It looks great, Iv'e been using it on my machine for months. I also love the custom logo.

 

Coming from your hands, I'm sure it looks great. Still I'm curious how it can be look with that metal bezel.
So, Speedy get ride of his M18x... Hope he will return to the alien club when the M18xR2 become a reality .

 

Most certainly, he's one of those few giving a shot to every high end laptop when it becomes available, lol

Do you mean the black plastic/acrylic bezel/frame around the screen? Yes, it's custom made and comes with or without a logo.

 

I wish you were one of the engineers or technicians working for Dellienware. I would pay an extra $200 to have a lovely matte screen on an M18x if such an option were available.

 

I would pay an extra $300 for a better screen.

 

I have never liked glossy, my Asus C90S and W90 were so great because they had matte screens.

Ever since then though its been like gold mining to find a model without, and like plutonium mining to find one without that your actually interested in.

Wanted to try out one of those privacy filters or matte filters you can lay over the screen to "convert" glossy to matte but I am very skeptical about how well it may work and what effects it may have on my colors/contrast.

 

Yeah, those filters are a big joke, they ruin image quality and the biggest problem is loss of contrast and brightness.


On a side note, I'm resurrecting this thread since the quest for better screens continues! I'm hoping to find a matter (potentially higher gamut) panel on the market. Ideas and suggestions are welcome!

 

Glossy is terrible if you aren't in one place all the time or do alot of work outside. Otherwise inside glossy is fine. It also makes the screen more vibrant, especially RGBLED panels, like the one found in my R2.

Matte is nice if you are always on the go, or do alot of work outside. Though what sucks now is you have to pay a fair chunk of change for a matte panel (which was standard just a few years ago and you had to shell out money for glossy).

Goes both ways IMO.