XPS 15 (L521X) - The display thread

Today I was able to check out the new XPS for the first time.
Firtly, built quality is amazing and I immediately felt in love with the book.

The display is very glossy but at least it makes the color pop. But then I've seen a big "but": Why on earth I am able to see very fine black grid lines between the pixels?
That's the first time I've seen some grid on a Full HD display. Also the screen of the Inspirion 15R next to the XPS didn't have any of these problems.

Am I the only one who sees the black grid or was this just a faulty unit?

 

Some of us have discussed this in other threads...the conclusion we've come to is that the gridlines are a side effect of the 'splendid color mode' that is the factory default. That and gross oversaturation. Setting it to normal color mode cures the oversaturation and gridlines -- and still presents a very good (and more accurate) display.

 

Setting it to normal color modes helps for sure, but its not a complete cure - I can still the see lines. Sitting next to an Envy 15 and an XPS 15 - Envy has no lines, XPS has lines

N

 

As there are parallel (and growing) threads on the L521X, I might have missed certain posts that are directly relevant to what I'm asking here:

Has anyone identified the screen used in the L521X?

I wonder why Dell does not continue to use the awesome AUO B156HW01 V.7 screen. Has it been discontinued?

 

I haven't seen the system in person and haven't heard of this before. It's hard to imagine what you mean without imagining something ridiculous. So, there's a massive grid of black lines on the screen? Even if they are "very fine," that sounds awful. I guess I'll have to see it for myself.

 

And these are two recent posts in the Owner's Lounge thread:

 

I had the same issue with the old xps 15 ( l501 Max resolution of 1366x768) and I found it very annoying. That's a reason why I returned it. I thought it is due to the low resolution but as it seems it is Not.

 

I have read here that the color gamut values of the display are:

sRGB 82%
NTSC 60%
aRGB 62%

It seems to me very poor

 

It doesn't seem that bad... Most FHD notebook displays have approaching values or even inferior iirc

 

I see it but only if i get really close and concentrate.. 99.9999% of the time i'm too busy working, watching movies, or playing games to notice.. .And the only time I notice is if it's a really white screen but since movies and games are mostly color I don't notice at all.

 

You are not the only one that seems them. I have posted over on the Owner's thread about this. It is really kind of annoying, especially when surfing the web or working in Word or Excel. The text just looks pixelated.

 

Thanks for creating a thread about this. The more I think about it, I realize I don't want to "settle" with this screen, especially for this price. I also see pixelation when I browse online, and notice the lines, compared to other screens.

Is this a good enough reason to return it though? I guess I would have to prove it is a defect, no? In order to not pay that restocking fee?

 

I don't understand why Dell moves away from the AUO B156HW01 V.7 1920x1080 screen (97% AdobeRGB color gamut, 95% NTSC color gamut, one of the best TN screens in the last few years) that was in the XPS 15 L502X.

I'm typing this on an L502X. The screen makes me forget all minor imperfections of this notebook.

 

You're absolutely right.

My 3 years old M4400 has a 2CCFL screen with 97% sRGB and 75% AdobeRGB.

 

I just got the new XPS 15 today and I must say the grid is quite visible and very dissapointing. Where is this color mode you are talking about? I have been looking everywhere I can think of and so far haven't found it. Please help.

 

Probably not compatible with the idiotic Gorilla Glass.

 

Search for Windows Mobility Center in the Start Menu, from there there's an option to change the colour mode and switch to the normal setting (from the splendid one)

 

Well, I know we have had at least one or two Dell reps interacting with us on these forums. I'm hoping they can collect some of the initial feedback and make meaningful changes to the current offerings. I'm waiting until at least the release of W8 to see what has changed (different screen? lower price? more customization?). If nothing meaningful changes by the end of the year, they will probably lose my purchase to either HP or Sony this time, which is too bad because I loved the L502X and had been looking forward to the L521X.

Edit: In fact, I would like to tell this to Dell. Does anyone have a feedback address? The only contact information I find is for "support." They also have a "community," but that also appears to be little more than a messy, basic support forum.

 

Is it possible to take a picture of this? With a camera with macro? I really want to see how it looks like, before I purchase (or not).

 

Something like this...

 

These have been posted in another forum
http://www.multiupload.co.uk/TNY05GSLZP

Sent from HTC HD2 with Tapatalk

 

I see no grid issues with mine.

 

Good to know, I keep hoping. Thank you

Sent from HTC HD2 with Tapatalk

 

That looks terrible, I can't make out any pixels on my L502x no matter how close I look, I hope this is a faulty screen and they are not all like that!

 

Your link took me to some kind of anti MPAA petition.

 

It's strange, it takes me exactly to a multiupload page

EDIT: if you PM me a mail I can send it to you

 

Works OK for me, I guess some ISP's have blocked it due to copyright complaints.

 

So are there only few bad screens or does almost nobody care about the grid?

 

No news from who had the grid issue? Tried replacing display? What do Dell's technicians say about this?

 

mine arrives today, i'll check the screen and post back

 

Getting the best from the L521X display
I had the L502X Full HD and my new L521X sitting side by side with the same desktop image ex L502X:
1. The L502X has richer colours i.e. deeper blues etc.
2. The L521X as delivered looked the poor cousin - washed out colours and 'granulation'.
I don't have a colour calibration device so used the Win 7 software and a side by side comparison with the L502X. Dramatic improvements are possible and I would be interested to know what others have achieved. Recognizing that all L521X displays will not be the same, for information:
1. Color Profile
Windows Mobility Center
Default display color
Generic color

2. Desktop right click context menu select Graphics Properties
Select Basic Mode
Select Color Enhancement
Tick preview
Color = All Colors
Brightness = 11
Contrast = 45
Gamma = 0.7
Hue = 2
Saturation = 5

Then Power Options
Adjust Screen brightness (bottom centre) to taste. You may need to edit the individual power plans High vs Balanced vs. Power saver depending on your needs.

 

The L502X FHD screen (AUO B156HW01 V7) has higher brightness level, higher contrast ratio and much wider color gamut coverage.

 

the 502 has a NIT of 300, the 521 is 350 i believe

 

Is there a way to reduce the sharpness of the screen?
Pictures look a little bit oversharped in my eyes.

 

I just got delivery of my new XPS 15 and I have a terrible grainy mesh screen. I have tried all the suggestions in this forum but the mesh/grain has not gone. Sadly I will have to return this laptop and buy a different one unless anyone thinks asking for a replacement will help?

 

anyway you can take a quick pic of it?

 

Yes, I would call support and ask them to replace the screen. I am currently waiting for my screen to be replaced too and will post back the results when the tech comes to replace it.

 

A lot of people here complain about screen quality so I want to verify with a real comparison.
Do you have the 15.6 FHD B+RGLED TL 1920*1080 on the L502?

"Managing" about 5 Dells for work and family I know the 1920x1080 XPS L502x screen (also the 13xx*xx on L502) as well as the Vostro 1920x1080.

Could you be so kind to describe in a post how the L502x (I take it for given that you have a 1920x1080 screen) and L521x really differ with respect to screen quality. From your post I understand that by configuring/calibrating (other reported an issue with color saturation they simply changed) the L521x performs pretty well = not noticeable, if you are not the next world photograph award winner or Adobe Pro for Vogue compared to L502. What is your opinion?

I think I found a batch of 502s at a small local dealer so if you could respond quickly …. Screen is number one decision factor.

 

That screen is produced by AU Optronics. Exact part number: B156HW01 V.7.

Well, one does not have to be "the next world photograph award winner or Adobe Pro for Vogue" to tell the difference. One only need to care visually. Most people don't care. If you care enough visually, a 96% color gamut screen does not show the same as a 60% gamut screen, no matter how carefully you "calibrate" the latter, and this has nothing to do with Photoshop.

(By the way, "the next world photograph award winner or Adobe Pro for Vogue" person does not usually work with an XPS 15.)

 

Might I add that the standard MacBook Pros also use 60-70% sRGB panels? I do think Dell could have gone with an eIPS, but you'd be getting ripped off far more if you bought a Mac. If you want to do color critical work, plug in an external monitor via the HDMI.

 

Absolutely. There are some great IPS monitors out there, some from Dell itself.

 

Can you tell me which place you bought the laptop? If US, where in USA?

 

Confirmed - The L502X is as you describe.

My 'calibration' was to get the best out of the L521X display as is. Those hue, stauration... settings corrected most of the issues and unless you focus with your nose next to the screen then granulation (or feint grid lines) are not visible. This is all dependent on your expectations, eyesight etc.

I am now happy with the L521X display and it does the day to day job of a portable laptop. Yes, the L502X has, technically, a higher quality display panel and it does display images better for this user but not to the degree that I would say, overall, that it is the better laptop. If I want to view/edit photos then its my 27" iMac with IPS panel that wins out!

 

I just placed an order for L521x (replacement for XPS1647). I am anxious to see the difference, in terms of quality, between XPS 16 RGBLED and L521x. If I am not happy with it I will keep the XPS 16 (with all the problems I am having).
I am not gaming at all, but the wireless card issue must be solved. I will see and compare with the strength of it with N-6300.

 

I tried to but my phone camera is not picking up the screen very well. Basically any light coloured background has like a mesh grid effect applied to it. Its subtle (about 10-20% opacity) but its annoying enough to see it. If you were to do any kind of photoshop or design work on the laptop then you would get quite frustrated.

I don't want Dell to come out and replace the screen because then it is not an original factory laptop. I would rather return this and ask for an entire replacement.

 

Its a UK model. I bought it directly from Dell so its made in the same place in Shanghai China. Only the keyboard and plug would be different from a US model.

 

.
Dell XPS 15 LCD: Decent Contrast and Brightness, Mediocre Colors

Dell’s XPS line has had a bit of an on-again, off-again relationship with good LCDs. The M1710 and M1730 way back in the day had good WUXGA panels for the time, and the Studio XPS 16 was the first laptop to offer an RGB LED backlit panel (at least to my knowledge). More recently, the XPS 15 and 15z 1080p panels have been good, but the 768p displays in the XPS 13, 14, 14z, 15, and 15z have all been run of the mill offerings. Thankfully, the new XPS 15 sticks with the pattern of offering a decent 1080p display. It’s not great and has a definite bluish tint, but contrast is pretty good. If you don’t demand accurate colors (which is easily answered by answering this question: do you own a hardware colorimeter?), then the XPS 15 should be good enough to keep you happy. Even with a colorimeter, however, color accuracy remains relatively poor compared to other panels.



... The minor complaints with the panel continue when we look at viewing angles. I’ve seen some TN panels that do a lot better in terms of vertical viewing angles; this LCD isn’t one of those. Viewed from above or below, you get severe color shifting and loss of contrast. There’s still a decent viewing arc where the LCD looks good, but this is on the lower end of the 1080p LCDs that we’ve tested. I also noticed a fair amount of “shimmer” on the edges of windows when moving them around, which appears to come from the 6-bit to 8-bit color interpolation. That’s almost always present to varying degrees, but here it’s as noticeable as on lesser LCDs like that in the Acer V3-571G.

Read more at AnandTech XPS 15 L521X Review.

 

Got a second unit from Dell, same issue. Decided to try HP Envy 17 next - screen is awesome. Despite larger pixels (1920x1080 on 17" vs 15"), cannot see individual pixels. Saw vertical lines on XPS15 display, drove me crazy.

N

 

They replaced my son's L521X screen and the new screen shows the lines faintly. It's relatively "better," but I still can't deal with it. Glad I don't have to look at it all day.

 

So frustrating... How could they miss this during quality control??

EDIT: nothing official from Dell yet? Do they recognize this as a recurrent issue?