I love my AW except for one thing...

The 1920x1200 screen... I really wish they were more clear on their site description about it... it really breaks my heart, I like the laptop but I would love it like a first born if only I knew how stupid 1920x1200 is on a 15.4" screen.

 

That resolution is designed for people with amazingly good eyesight (not 20/20 vision, but something better).

Go into the display properties, settings, advanced and change the dpi to 125% (120 dpi). You can try a custom dpi, but formatting may be better at one of the standard settings. Alternatively, you can go through the display properties, appearance, advanced and fiddle with the font sizes. However, that only tweaks certain things. Web pages have a mind of their own.

The fall-back is the change the display resolution to something lower.

John

 

I've tried them all... It really sucks... I was so excited about getting my first laptop and as a person that has to move around alot and quickly glance at the screen for information, this is not cutting it. I see all my co-workers with that fancy pancy glossy screen with readable text, I would kick them my Alienware for any of those. I dont know what to do. Someone have any advice? I was thinking about selling it and getting another laptop... hell I dont know.. It really does break my heart though.

 

Is this laptop new? If it is, why not give Alienware a call and see if they could exchange it for a model with a different screen. Explain your situation and see what happens.

 

That was the first thing I did, no luck. ( Now I am stuck with a stupid non-readable laptop. God this makes me so sad, not angry, angry at myself and the site for not explaining it but at the end just real sad... :'(

 

how bad does it look dropping the resolution down to 1680x1050

 

I know there is a site on the Internet that specializes in laptop screens, we did a review for them a while ago. They can make matte screens glossy and do a whole bunch of other cool stuff. I'm pretty sure you can send your notebook in and get the screen switched out for a WXGA model.

If only I could find that review . . .

 

Try changing the DPI in the Windows display settings control panel.
Edit: Oh sorry, I guess you tried it already... never mind.

I seem to remember Alienware offers WXGA and WUXGA and nothing in between... I thought that was pretty silly.

Well, I'd double-check the return policy, and if you can't return it... there's always eBay, or even the buy/sell/trade forum here on NBR. Some people actually like that resolution. (I wouldn't either, but some people do.)

 

Lol... I even installed Windows Vista into it, as it has generally bigger icons, and GUI. God this makes me so sad... I am just going to end up selling it and getting one of those Ferrari/Lambo laptops I guess. Hell I dont even know, I love the look of the AW... I just wish god that they were more clear on the description of the display. :'(

 

I'm guessing you bought this laptop less than 30 days ago . . . if that is the case then you can return the laptop to Alienware but you will pay a 15% restocking fee. You'll have to figure out if you will take more of a hit from selling it or returning it.

 

I presume you have already tried a custom DPI such as 150% at native resolution?

Give it a try at 1680 x 1050 resolution or even something slightly bigger. You might need to get the Omega drivers, but I recall they had a resolution between 1680 x 1050 (which may still be a little small) and 1440 x 900 (too big). While the display will lose some of its sharpness, you may quickly get used to it.

John

 

Okay, I see this on Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALIENWARE-AREA-...ryZ31569QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

If I purchased such a thing, anyone know who could install it for me? Or is there a place that does that type of stuff? (Replace LCDS for you like Chaz was talking?) I am very serious about this, as it's on my last nerve.

 

or a site like this? I really need more information from someone who his stuff

http://www.screentekinc.com/ppc-gen... replacement&gclid=CIXY5ICp64wCFSBMGgodsVLm6g

 

I just talked to the person who does LCD replacement, (That auction) he will do it for me for 50 dollars, I just have to be 100% sure that is what I need etc... More info really needed Thanks again... Seems I might be in luck!!

 

Screentek Inc., that's the company.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2756

 

Hey Chaz, is there a way I can talk to you through an instant messenger? You seem to know your stuff I need some pointers, if not that's okay.

Anyways so screentek it is it seems, their prices are reasonable (As I really want to get rid of this stupid blind screen) I am not sure exactly which model the website is talking about =

Alienware Area 51-M 15 " 1600 x 1200 pixels
("UXGA") New $495
($421)
Alienware Area 51-M (5620P) 15 " 1600 x 1200 pixels
("UXGA") New $415
($353)


I have no idea what the 5620P and the regular one means.. I need some kickin advice! I am so happy!! I want to break the friggin screen right now. They can keep the stupid screen and use it as racket ball practice for all I care.

 

1600x1200 is a 4x3 aspect ratio.... so you don't really need to know what it means because it relates to a REALLY old model

 

Oh wow stupid me tottally didint see that...

Well it looks like they dont have it??

http://www.screentekinc.com/alienware-laptops-lcd-screens.shtml

What about the Ebay seller, look legitimate? I am so confused :'(

 

The E-bay one looks good, I doubt they can fake almost 2000 good feedbacks, I havent seen what 4 people complained about. From screentek you should be looking at the 5500 lcd screens as they are the same model as the 5550. (E-bay is cheaper)

 

Oh wow! I love you.... thats true about 2000 feedback.. I am getting so giddy!! I need more information/insurance I dont want to accidently be stupid and get soemthing that doesnt work etc... LOL

 

Okay, looks like I will most likely bite the bullet for the auction. I read all the feedback and the 4 negatives were just from stupid ebayers. I am thinking about biting the bullet tomorrow. God I hate my laptop screen... Hopefully everything works out A-OK

 

If it does, be sure to sell your WUXGA screen on ebay... I'm sure somebody wants to "upgrade". (Seriously though, some people do like it... you'd have to have better vision than me though.)

 

Just send me a PM, it's easier for me.

You could also see if Screentek would buy the old screen from you. A 15.4" WUXGA panel is rare and expensive.

 

Haha, Phrit answered all my questions... and I will sure to be see if Screentek wants my old (stupid/useless/blind) screen... LOL.... I havent even used my laptop that much ever since I got it It's that bad...hopefully this fixes it!

 

Buying the Ebay auction, just another question, will the smaller 15.4 display give me some extra battery life? (As the GFX card wont have to render an whole 1920x1200 desktop rather then an 1280x800?) It makes sense to me but what do I know?

/tinfoil hat

 

It is less work for the computer if you use a lesser resolution although I doubt it will affect battery life all that much.

 

Cool, Thanks Chaz.

Anyways this week the change should be happening. I honestly cannot wait! I hope to god everything works out fine and I love my laptop how I was supposed to from Day 1.

 

I am really surprised you can not just change the screen resolution. Is it just locked to the one resolution?

 

He seems to have tried that but didnt feel satisfied with the results... Its less straightforward using the nonnative res of an LCD screen than with a CRT although non HD content on my HDTV looks fine...

 

Yeah but as a LCD monitor it's not like a CRT as Phritz said. Anyways This week it should be happening. And if the new LCD finally makes me love my Laptop as I should have from day one, I will reformat it and start all over again, and make a review for it. :wub:

 

I'm glad you found a solution, but MAN I cannot believe that the easiest/cheapest way was not just to send it back and swap for another notebook w/the screen you want. They DEFINITELY would have done it with a 15% hit, probably would have even waived the 15% if you were persistant and found the right person and it was all about swapping (not refund).

Anyways, you get to keep YOUR notebook now, just with the resolution you can read.

I don't guess I've ever seen wuxga on 15.4". I have wsxga+ on 15.4" currently, and sometimes wish for more. I'll be careful about that now thanks to bjx. Keep us posted.

 

I'll keep you guys posted.

One small question, Phriz, as you said the M5500 screens are same as M5550, is there any chance the WSXGA+ from Screentek for the M5500 would work on the M5550?

 

Please do.

If you think WUXGA is unbearable then I wouldn't bother with WSXGA+. It's not all that different.

 

Ah okay, thanks.

Just out of curiosity though, would it work?

 

I don't see why not.

 

I love you Chaz, lol

 

LOL I laughed myself when I saw that.

 

well....GBU,hope that the new screen fits your eyes

 

I should be getting my lappy back this week, wooo!! WILL LET YOU GUYS KNOW

 

Question, I don't need anything else for the installation, correct? It's safe to downgrade the WUXGA screen to the smaller WXGA, right?

 

Dammit, Looks like I will be having to purchase a new laptop as I just talked to a screentek specialist...

Michael: Hello. How may I assist you?
me: hi
me: i have a simple question
Michael: ok
me: say, I have a Alienware M5500 with a WUXGA scree
me: and i buy a WXGA screen for it, I can just install it right?
me: it wont give me and problems?
Michael: Unfortunately it is not possible to upgrade the size/resolution of your panel as applications and hardware specifications wouldn’t be compatible.

Michael: would not work at all.
me: really?
Michael: really.
me: thank you
me: i would have made a huge mistake
Michael: yes
me: so my only option is to buy a new laptop?
me: as I do not like WUXGA
Michael: yes


wish I knew this earlier.....UGH

 

time to sell my laptop...ugh...

 

That is an odd response from a company that supposedly does screen upgrades...

 

He mentioned that its not possible to "upgrade", not downgrade, there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and thats such a weird comment from a screen upgrader lol

 

1920x1200 on a 15" screen... I was supprised when I saw this the other day.

People claim that 1080p is overkill on small HD tvs like 32" / 37" now your talking about a higher res for half the screen size :/

I just cant see why on gods green earth they would put that res on that screen other than the sheer fact that it seems to be almost exclusive to alienware and they use it as braging rights and hope to pull in sales due to it.

from my perspective tho its only a bad thing because the dot pitch is too small to see any difference and if you try to play a game at that resolution your really killing your performance for no good reason.

I wish you luck on your fix, I am abit supprised you were not able to get it to a managable level just with resolution adjustments or tweaking the UI/Font settings.

I question the quality of a 1920x1200 screen in a 15.4" formfactor that may have alot to do with why its so hard to read, not because of the size completly but because its just because its not really meant to be that small and thus a compromise in quality may be there.

 

For gaming its excellent because you don't have to AA but I can imagine that the small text would get really annoying

 

Today is a real sad day for me ... It looks I am going to have to sell it...and to make things worse... The M1330's dont ship till end of august, and just ugh.. I'm a very sad person today

/tear

 

Just increasing the number of pixels to display a jagged object doesnt mean it wont be jagged anymore.

This is a myth. The reason it exsist is because when you play a a low resolution somtimes you actually start to cause an opject to be jagged becasue not enough pixels are present to propery show the object.

Even if that were not the case you would get less of a performance hit and better visuals with a lower resolution and AA on than you would with a higher one and no AA.

I have a 1920x1080 display I have tried many settings for many games, and mines 37" big so I can see things much better than you would on a 15"

 

I'm truly sorry to hear that . . . maybe an Asus W7S would be more in your favor?

 

:'( ....... I think I will wait it out for the M1330.. in the meantime... how does a Glossy WUXGA screen look on a 15.4'?