My XPS M1530 screen isn't grainy...

...but the colours feel a bit washed out. I don't know, I can't really call it grainy. It's just that the colours are so...weak, for lack of a better word. It might have to do with contrast, I don't know.

Anyway, overall I'm very happy with my new XPS M1530. It's just the screen that is bothering me a bit. It's not terrible by any means, it's just...washed out. Oh, and viewing angles are pretty terrible.

It's a 1280x800 SEC3358 monitor. Which means Samsung, as far as I understand.

Now, I'm been reading a lot of complaints about grainy screens that people want to replace. I don't feel that mine is grainy. The question is, is it possible to get it exchanged just because I think the colours are kinda washed out (and terrible viewing angles)? Or do I need a stronger reason than that?

Thing is, I've never had a laptop before, so I can't really be sure if these kinds of colours (or lack thereof) is something you have to expect in laptop screens, or if it's just mine that's bad.

I have also realized that I would have preferred 1440x900. That wasn't actually an option when I ordered, but I've read on this forum that people would call Dell up and change their order to include a higher resolution screen. If I do decide to ask for a replacement, would it be possible to change it to a 1440x900 screen? I understand it would cost a little extra, but would I have to send the whole laptop back for that?

 

Before you resort to exchanging it, I'd say try some calibration tools to see if the situation improves. Many times I've seen what appear to be dull washed out colors only to have it completely remedied by just simple calibration. It can be expensive using pro calibration tools but software tools work too like Adobe Gamma.

The good news is you may be able to fix that, whereas with graininess you're pretty much SOOL.

 

I'll tell you what really helped me with this. Go into your nVidia Control Panel > Display > Adjust Desktop Color Settings. Try changing your contrast to around 85% and your brightness to around 52%. You can also play around with "digital vibrance" in the same section.

That should take care of the 'washed out' phenomenon.

 

Calibration will not change the viewing angles or resolution. If you are dissatified, return the whole laptop within the time limit and order another one with the resolution you want. You cannot say the screen is defective and get a replacement screen in a different resolution even if you offer to pay the difference. If you want to change the resolution, you have to return the laptop within the time limiit.

 

I insist you have your screen replaced with a grainy one. Otherwise you will not be having the full XPS experience.

Seriously, the only thing replacing a screen might affect is light leakage. Other than that I don't think the other factors can be variable, unit to unit. They can be brand to brand, but "washed out colors" or "graininess" are not going to be different for the same model, same brand.

 

I'm thinking at this point since you stated the high resolution screen wasn't available when you ordered, you would already be outside of your return period. The high res screens didn't become available for order, at least in the US until 12/21.

Dell will not let you swap them and pay the difference for a higher resolution, nor will they give you a higher resolution screen upon exchange unless it's by accident. If you are unhappy with "washed out" colors as you say, I think that is a legitimate reason to request an exchange since you paid good money for the unit but keep in mind, there is no guarantee that you will get a better one and it could in fact be worse. So just be prepared to deal with additional exchanging if necessary.


Now, to switch gears a bit from your post....

This isn't to discount the people who actually have crappy screens and have legitimate gripes but honestly I feel that some people on this site are being paranoid about their screens. Some people have never owned laptops before and have no basis for comparison whether their current screens are bad or not but look to what others have to say and assume because they have a specific model that it must be grainy or inferior to another. Laptop screens aren't perfect so anyone can find a little issue here or there. Many laptop manufacturers even consider dead pixels, up to a certain number acceptable in laptop screens which I find bizarre but such is the way of things.