Dell XPS 14 L401x Thread

It would be great, if you could do some comparison before and after shots.

As in with the same picture on screen with different viewing angles.

Id really be interested in that

 

Apologies if this has been posted. Has anyone on this thread or via an external review provided the battery life with a nine cell?

 

I get around 4 hours, sometimes a bit more. System specs in my sig.

 

Thanks for the quick response. My specs will be a bit less "robust" than yours. Maybe I can squeeze out five hours or more with wireless on, surfing, writing, and no gaming?

 

If you are going for the i5/Optimus option, then i'd say you'll easily get 6+ hours web browsing etc. Dell quote 8 hours+, but they usually way over-estimate it.

 

Thanks. I appreciate it.

 

Here we go, found it:

6-cell LI (2.6Ah) standard; Up to 5 hours, 23 minutes4 of battery life with 6-cell battery
9-cell LI (2.8Ah); Up to 8 hours, 29 minutes4 of battery life with 9-cell battery

But I assume this is with wifi off, screen on dim, etc.

 

double post

 

Did you guys update graphic drivers from Nvidia or are you using the dell ones?

 

i had a toshiba with an i460 and nvidia gt330(returned it, the amazon page advertised it as having a 420m) but i updated with nvidia drivers and it worked just fine

 

Ill just try updating as i know the 1340 had problems with hdmi if updated

EDIT: When i tried to update it kept telling me how it cant find a compatible graphics hardware

 

Could anyone link me to the user manual on how to replace the LCD Screen? my LG screen just arrived.

Thanks

 

Documentation

 

Just an update on the screen swap: I've had for about a week now, and am still convinced that this is easily the best thing you can do for the XPS 14. One of the students in my Java class actually received his XPS 14 last Friday and he was blown away by the difference in the screen quality of the factory AUO and the LG. He just placed an order for the LG screen as well and I will help him put it in this Friday.

I did forget to mention one important thing for those who are switching screens: when you pull out your stock one and compare it to the LG, the LG's display area actually looks bigger, but in actuality it is not; it does not use the entire display estate like your factory screens do! If you're not convinced or just want to double-check, install the screen without the bezel and turn on the machine, you'll see that the display area is not hidden by the bezel at all. I have yet to find a single flaw or oddity so far.

 

Thanks a ton. I'll get to work.


Btw, Is there any possibility to buy the backlit keyboard somewhere and install it myself? I don't see it as an accessory/part option on dell site. I really love how the backlit keyboard looks.

 

Done, screen looks amazing from the angle.

Now gotta find backlit keyboard then i'm set.

 

Thanks TRF-Inferno for the update on your screen and all. I just received my LG screen in the mail yesterday, and now i'm just waiting on the Laptop to arrive... See, this is why I love this forum, there is always an answer and/or an improvement to be found!

 

Love all the diy modding going on, very nice!

I have been looking long and hard at the xps15, as although not a head turner in the looks department it's got real bag-for-the-buck and no mistakin'! I think the the smaller xps14 would suit me better but I'm in the UK and can't seem to find the xps14..!?! Is it expected, and is it normal for there to be a long gap between different regions and availability?

Cheers.

 

@TRF-Inferno

If its not too much of a big deal it would be great if you could do some quick side by side photos with your Java classes students laptop before screen swap next to yours. Or even just the same picture on his before swap at different angles then the same picture after swap at different angles.

I feel extremely hesitant at opening up a $1600 laptop to change out a part is why. At least with the photos we can see if the benefit is worth the risk for those of us who don't feel quite competent in doing so.

 

Anyone in NY want to install the LG screen for me? Obviously you'd be compensated.

 

ditto but i want a touchscreen

oh and the speakers are good, but listen to hardon/kardon speakers on a toshiba m645. theyre muuuuuuch better

 

If anyone can find the backlit keyboard anywhere online for sale pls let me know. Dell won't sell them to be as parts only.

 

Does anyone know off the top of their head if this Screen Swap would void the Dell warranty?

Trying to decide between an XPS 14 and a refurb 1600x900 ENVY 14. The screen swap on the XPS 14 sounds like it would ultimately result in a more reliable product, but I wouldn't want to void the warranty.

 

If you have NBD warranty you just put the old screen back in when dell come round

 

Hi, I read through all the post but have a question if anyone can help me. For the XPS 14 with CoreTM i7 740QM, 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3
Memory, 2048 (MB) NVIDIA GT425M GeForce, and only use for internet browsing, checking emails, and/or reading documents such as Word, Excel, PDF, about how long would the 6-cell battery lasts?

I did saw and have read posts on this forum on the CoreTM i5 with a 6-cell battery and also the CoreTM i7 with 9-cell battery.

Thanks.

 

I can't tell you how long the 6 cell lasts.. but I have the same setup and get approx 4 hours from the 9 cell battery with wifi on, brightness low and bluetooth off.

 

what are the vertical viewing angles like on that lg pannel? i think im going to order up a 14 and that pannel.

 

Sweet, I'm ordering a screen now.. I love my XPS 14, had it for about 2.5 weeks now.. only pet peeve is the screen.. now that we have the model number, Thanks TRF-Inferno!

The instructions to remove the LCD look really similar to a lot of dell laptops like the latitudes we have at work.. I'll update all of you when I get mine in too!!

 

Can anyone tell me if the optical drive in the XPS 14 is a 9.5mm height or a 12.5mm height?

N

 

Can't wait to hear about it. If this mod is really as easy as everyone is saying then I will probably buy an XPS 14. I've been trying to convince myself that 1366x768 is good enough, but it really isn't

 

Looking forward to the comparison pictures

Still waiting on mine. Ordered 8th Nov. EDD 9th Dec

 

Hi everyone,
I am new to these forums and I just wanted to ask a quick question about the Dell XPS 14. I have ordered the Core i5 460M, 9-cell battery, 4 Gb ram. It is currently shipped and on the way. I currently have an 13" aluminum MacBook but I really don't like Mac OS X and i have been using Windows 7 on it for more than a year, so I am going back to a trusty Windows laptop. I was wondering if the 1366x768 display on this XPS is as bad as you're all making it out to be? It's very disconcerting. So is the display really that terrible?
Thanks for any responses.

PS - my plans for this laptop is basically for university and the casual game or two. Hoping the 9 cell provides a good amount of battery life.

 

I personally think its fine.. but I haven't experienced much higher.. so maybe ignorance is bliss?

 

The screen is alright. It's very bright. The colours are nice. The only issue I have is horrible viewing angles. They're bad enough that I have ordered a new LCD panel.

The 9 cell will give you excellent battery life. I have the i7 740QM in my XPS 14 which does not use Optimus, and I get around 4 hours with the 9 cell battery. I'd say you will get at least 2 hours more/

 

Its not bad. and the colors are pretty ok too. those of us who are upgrading just want more res for the most part... but if you're not concerned about that stuff, the native screen should be good enough

 

So to clarify, you guys are upgrading because of the resolution mainly? The viewing angles and colours are okay?

A very subjective question that is, I do realise. I suppose I'll just wait till I get mine and suss it out then.

Some comparison pictures would be great tho. No stress but

 

As I said, i'm upgrading because the viewing angles are terrible. I find the colours and resolution to be fine.

 

Cheers. Ill post up my opinions also when I get mine

 

Thanks a bunch TRF-Inferno for this review.
If you guys think that your deadline to recieve the XPS is hard, just check this: i bought mine in NOV 5, DEC 1 it should arrive in DELLs HQ here in Brazil so they can add some manuals in portuguese and change the cables for our outputs.
DELLs site previews that it should arrive in my residence by DEC 28! Amazing how new cables are extra complicated to be arrenged in the box right?

About the glossy bezel, it's really weird, engadget even complained about it in it's review: " Our biggest complaint about the screen comes with its glossy plastic bezel – we just would have liked to see a flush glass bezel here or something a lot less shiny and fingerprint prone. The hinge, which sits on top of the system to apparently bring it closer to you, feels solid and doesn't wobble much." Looks like DELL heard them.

 

Is there an express card slot in the XPS 14? Is that it on the left side near the front? Wouldn't mind adding a couple of USB 3.0 ports if so...

 

No ExpressCard or PC Card slot.

 

Alright guys, my xps 14 came today. as soon as I booted it up for the first time I got an error that basically stated it wasn't shut down properly, no biggie. After I got it set up and ready I took note of the screen. It has not so good contrast. What I mean is everything looks sort of too light, not black enough. I took several photos from all different angles... So after I made sure everything was going to work properly I shut her down and proceeded to change out the screen. I will go into detail as to how I did that later. Let me tell you, the new screen is freakin' awesome! The contrast is 100 % better, no kidding. I'll take photos and upload the difference. You are going to want to do this screen change out for yourselves. I will say that it was about an hour of work... So anyway, i'll let you know more later as well as post photos of the difference.

 

Ok, so I took several pictures, these are the two best comparisons. I picked the worst photo... Sorry... Old screen is the left hand photo, new screen is the right hand photo.

Ok, so left photo original screen... middle photo new screen (crappy photo, iphone's fault not anything to do with new screen) right hand photo new screen with better photo...

 

So i'm not going to do a technical review of this laptop, just generalized observations. I will say that I am pretty impressed with it, especially since I went from the standard screen to the LG 900p screen. The fan has been running quietly in the background, and the heat has been pretty average. The palm rest, track pad, and the keyboard all seem to be cool to the touch and i've been working on this laptop for a few hours now. The back lit keyboard appears very evenly lit. Very happy with how large the lettering is on the keys compared to my dell studio 1555. The keys are fairly quiet, I tend to bang pretty hard when I type. The speakers are phenominal, they sound crisp and clear, no tin sound like most laptop speakers, very nice. I really don't have any complaints. So far so good. I have gone through a check list of problems other people have stated that they've experienced and none apply. I am a bit concerned that when i did turn on my laptop for the first time it gave me an error message that it hadn't been shut down properly, not sure what that was about. That's about it... It shuts down really fast, like in less than 10 seconds, and the start up is pretty decent as well. There wasn't much bloatware, just minimal dell programs.

 

Thanks for the comparisons, it looks great! I think this just about seals the deal for me in my XPS 14 v ENVY 14 decision. HP isn't offering the 900p ENVY 14 anymore, and while Dell isn't either, this LG screen looks like an easy upgrade. Unless there is an insane deal on the Envy this Monday, I'll just buy the XPS 14 and an LG screen.

Could someone with zero technical skills with a laptop do this screen swap or should I find someone to help out? I've built 3 desktops so I do have some experience with PC parts.

 

You will be fine. If you have confidence that you can read directions and have a steady hand and patience, it should be fairly easy. I'm in no way a tech whiz, I started out with zero experience and simply learned by jumping in and following the instructions in a manual.. The one great thing about laptops is that parts are easily removed. Just always keep screws grouped together in such a way that you don't forget where they go.

 

Glad to see you like the new screen bill71. Welcome to the club!

 

I sure do and I am very grateful to you for originally sharing the screen fix with us. It made this laptop a keeper!

 

Hey guys, I just joined the forum, total noob here. I ordered a XPS 14 last week, Should be here on Thursday this week. I'll let you know what I think. I'm a bit concerned with the screen. So the screen is really that bad and its not just what resolution it goes to? I've got an Inspiron E1505 and I've got the 1080P screen with it and so I'm running 1680x1050 res so it might be a big change going down to 1360x768. My big beef with the Inspiron is the screen is sooooo dim. I cant be outside at all or in a sunny room with this laptop. It sucks really. Yea its a 4 year old laptop but its always been that way. What do you notice in difference between the native and LG screen as far as brightness?

Also, little side note. If you go to dell chat or call them up and talk to them about getting a discount, they might give you one. I'm a preferred member since I'm a university student, but I was able to get about $65 off the orig price... I was studying one day and just got an idea that I might be able to get a discount in the chat and what do ya know, I got one!

Isn't the SD card reader right above the front of the optical drive?

Thanks guys! I'll let ya know what I think of mine when I get it!

 

Hey guys, just a new review on the net: Quick Review: Dell XPS 14 Notebook :: TweakTown USA Edition