XPS 17 L702x - WLED AG 1080p (non 3d): Could you please share your experience

I have ordered my XPS 17.
Configuration: XPS-17, i7-2630M, 1080p, 8GB, GT-550M 1G.
Expected delivery date: May/3

After reading some reviews, I discovered that the XPS 17 1080p screen is very new and does *not* have the B+RGLED that comes with XPS 15. Though I am not knowledgeable on the B+RGLED technology, I figured out from reviews that the B+RGLED is very good and a better one compared to the screen in XPS 17.

I have had the opportunity to see XPS 15 screen and I like it very much. Did not get a chance to see XPS 17 so far.

Anyone who's received your XPS 17, having 1080p, non-3D screen - it would be great if you could please share your viewing experience (movies, snaps, gaming) so far with the screen, including sharpness, color, brightness, viewing angles and anything else.

Thanks in advance.

 

I don't think anyone's actually received the non-3D version yet, but I could be wrong....

 

The display is most likely well above average:

Dell - Help Me Choose: Display
ignore contrast ratio as malfunctions never use realistic values, brightness and gamut are both above average.

 

Interesting how the "compare side-by side" tab in the link details the 17" non-3d 1080p screen will be anti-glare. I hope it turns out as good as the 3D screen Im using right now.

 

I should have mine in a couple weeks and will let you know how it is. I'm sure it will be fine. Wish I could've got the B+RGLED on the 17.

 

The Dell site said the 3D screen would be anti-glare too, but it's glossy. This table seems to be more up-to-date though

Can someone post the Dell part number for the non-3D 1080p LCD from their order?

 

You can, aftermarket.

There is one B+RG 17" screen, the ID is B173HW01 v4, specs are identical to the xps 15 screen except it's slightly larger. But i heard it is short on supply.

 

Canada order this week....FHD WLED AG 1920x1080 PN 320-2538

 

Everthing I find about that screen (including this http://www.yslcd.com.tw/docs/product/B173HW01 V.4.pdf) appears to indicate that is just WLED, with no specific good qualities in color gamut. It appears to be used in the ASUS G73SW, which is also not specially know for good color gamut. Can you point to where you got your info about that screen being B+RG?

Thanks.

 

Wled is B+RGled, in fact, B+RG is nothing more than slightliy moddefied wled:
Phosphor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The spec sheet you links states an color gamut of 90%, this is well above the currect maximum of 81.53% gamut on professional wled displays (samsumg 27" 1440p display, coming soon). For notebooks the maximum is only slightly above 72%, or 100% sRGB, found in macbook displays and a handfull of others (namely, the 3D display and other 1080p display found in the xps 17. I dont know any others.)

 

You can call it whatever you like, but I'll tell you this: my wife's B+RG XPS 15 screen is the best non-IPS screen I've seen and the second-best screen I've seen, ever. Keep in mind that I own an Asus VE 278Q (best TN LED monitor) and HP ZR30W (best IPS monitor) and two other new 22" IPS monitors.

Part of it is obviously the DPI, since it's 1080p at just 15". But that's only one factor. Aside from the inherent TN flaw of color shift, it still looks maybe a hair more vibrant than my ZR30W.

 

Thanks for the link, Darkstone. The content helps.

With B+RG, I see that the color gamut is 95% - so that's making a big difference I guess. 72% color gamut on 17" may still be good (just going by the number, I do not have much idea on this. I have seen the Sony vaio EB series with 1080p, which I think would be the similar WLED, which was good).

The Antiglare seem to have "narrower viewing angles" (as mentioned in 'Display Details' tab) which does not feel good, but the Compare table has it as 'wide', maybe because of 1080p.

I am eagerly waiting for someone to comment on their 'real' experience.

 

Thanks Dell201. Looking forward to your comments.

 

Hum, it says 90% of NTSC color space. I thought that the standard x% measurement was against AdobeRGB (I suppose that 90% NTSC should be about 80% AdobeRGB). I would love to see in the specs some place to comfirm is B+RG (or some mention of that CaAlSiN3 or CASN phosfor there).

Thanks for the info in any case.

 

Most use NTSC, but anandtech and computers use aRGB as standard.

Not that it matters, aRGB is only slightly smaller than NTSC (aRGB = 95.544% of NTSC)

 

This thread interests me; I have retuned a 3D XPS 17 due to the lack of Optimus etc.. and have been hoping/waiting for a non-3D 1080P XPS 17 to be released in the UK which shows no sign of showing any time soon.

I wonder if it would be worthwhile just getting a 900P non-3D XPS 17 and replacing the screen myself as it may actually lead to having a better quality screen than Dell may supply (if they start to supply non-3D 1080P in the UK).

What is the definitive best quality 1080P 17" screen available for the XPS 17?

 

There is no best screen:
the 3D screen is expensive but has fast response times and high contrast as well "perfect" 72% gamut
The 1080p AG screen is matte, lower brightness (~300nits), and the same 72% gamut.
The B173HW01 v4 had even lower brightness (220 nits) But excels in gamut.

When primarily using the display for multimedia tasks or working outdoors, the 3D or anti-glare display is your best bet. any gemut over 72% really only makes sense when working whit professional printers. In practice 72% is better than >90% because of oversaturization issues and the fact web pages, video's, images.. mostly sRGB (=72% NTSC). The closer to 72%, the lower the differences between your screen and that of web designers.

High gamut really only makes sense when everything in the production line (camera, PC, printer) supports it and is calibrated. For the rest of us, pick 72% unless you prefer more vibrant colors to more realistic colors.

Also http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...cial-swapping-xps-17-l701x-screen-thread.html

 

I wish they'd sell the AG (matte) screen in the USA. Unfortunately, they only sell the glossy screen. I won't buy one now.

It seems many people are having trouble with their USB 3.0 ports stopping on the XPS laptop line too. That looks to be the biggest problem with the XPS laptops.

Dell XPS 15 - USB 3.0 Problem - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

 

Isn't the AG screen that is available a matte screen?

 

AG = anti-glare = matte

please note the contrast of that panel is stil unknown.

 

The screens sold on the non 3d, 1080p 17 in. laptops in the USA are glossy screens. I talked with 3 different sales reps and a Dell forum rep and they all told me they are glossy screens. I told them to fix the error on their website that says they are AG screens, but they haven't done it yet.

Maybe when people actually get these laptops, they can report whether they are glossy or matte. But USA orders should be glossy screens.

In Australia, you can order a matte screen from Dell.

 

Sorry, do you mean adobeRGB instead of sRGB there? (I thought that NTSC was about 90% of adobeRGB and sRGB about 70% of adobeRGB).

 

Ahh yes, i meant adobeRGB, sRGB is much smaller.

 

Well that's just the thing: Who the hell doesn't prefer vibrant colors in media? At least in video games, it always looks better to me.

 

Colors looking brighter than the designer originally intended is not always a good thing. In fact, some people hate the oversaturized red/green color.

Anandtech is also aware of this 'issue':

Dell XPS L501x: An Excellent Mainstream Notebook - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

 

This is really disappointing, anyone has similar problems as reported in the above Dell thread, or there is any official thread in this forum discussing this issue, me & anyone interested in this laptop really need to have more details about this issue before buying

 

This contradicts information in other threads from people in the US who have received there 1080p non 3D screens and they are anti glare, non glossy.

I'm about 10 days out from my system and will report when it arrives.

KSM

 

Yes, please do report. I can't trust anybody from Dell anymore. I guess their help can only rely on the information they are given.

 

So I went to the Dell Chat room again and talked with a rep. She told me it was a glossy screen again(truelife with antiglare properties). I told her to double check, since people were getting matte screen laptops instead. She checked with support and then told me it was a matte screen and apologized for the mistake saying it was a new product. So it should be a matte screen. Yea.

 

Does such a thing even exist?

AFAIK:
truelife=glossy=glare
antiglare=matte

As a side note, I still LOVE my inspiron E9400 glossy 'truelife' 1900x1200 screen.

 

Dell support may not know what they are talking about, but at least they are consistent. The AG are matte. There is 1 crappy picture of the matte screen from a non-3D 1080p l702x in this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/562138-dell-xps-17-l702x-thread.html

The picture is likely somewhere between pages 130ish and 180ish. Best of luck

 

Hi just got my 1080 p non 3d screen in today in canada. It is a matte screen side to side viewing angles are all right but you cant got to far off from center. Still have to adjust the color to where i want it still using defaults for now as i get used to this new machine.

 

Can somebody help finding out what panel dell uses?
Download EnTech Taiwan | Utilities | Monitor Asset Manager and post the repost here. Help is greatly appreciated

 

I got my L502X on Monday, also with the matte screen. I'll have to get used to it since I've always had glossy screens.

 

Here it is:

Monitor
Windows description...... Generic PnP Monitor
Manufacturer............. Chi Mei
Plug and Play ID......... CMO1720
Data string.............. HC9GK€173HGE [*CP437]
Serial number............ n/a
Manufacture date......... 2011, ISO week 2
Filter driver............ Monitor
-------------------------
EDID revision............ 1.4
Input signal type........ Digital
Color bit depth.......... 6 bits per primary color
Color encoding formats... RGB 4:4:4
Screen size.............. 380 x 210 mm (17.1 in)
Power management......... Not supported
Extension blocs.......... None
-------------------------
DDC/CI................... n/a

Color characteristics
Default color space...... Non-sRGB
Display gamma............ 2.20
Red chromaticity......... Rx 0.640 - Ry 0.330
Green chromaticity....... Gx 0.300 - Gy 0.610
Blue chromaticity........ Bx 0.150 - By 0.060
White point (default).... Wx 0.313 - Wy 0.329
Additional descriptors... None

Timing characteristics
Range limits............. Not available
GTF standard............. Not supported
Additional descriptors... None
Preferred timing......... Yes
Native/preferred timing.. 1920x1080p at 60Hz (16:9)
Modeline............... "1920x1080" 140.490 1920 1972 2007 2094 1080 1083 1089 1118 +hsync -vsync
Detailed timing #1....... 1920x1080p at 40Hz (16:9)
Modeline............... "1920x1080" 92.450 1920 1968 2000 2080 1080 1083 1088 1111 +hsync -vsync

Standard timings supported

Report information
Date generated........... 4/27/2011
Software revision........ 2.60.0.954
Data source.............. Registry-Active
Operating system......... 6.1.7601.2.Service Pack 1

Raw data
00,FF,FF,FF,FF,FF,FF,00,0D,AF,20,17,00,00,00,00,02,15,01,04,90,26,15,78,02,ED,95,A3,54,4C,9C,26,
0F,50,54,00,00,00,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,E1,36,80,AE,70,38,26,40,34,23,
36,00,7E,D7,10,00,00,1A,1D,24,80,A0,70,38,1F,40,30,20,35,00,7E,D7,10,00,00,1A,00,00,00,FE,00,48,
43,39,47,4B,80,31,37,33,48,47,45,0A,00,00,00,00,00,00,41,31,9E,00,00,00,00,02,01,0A,20,20,00,F3


The screen is mate (non glossy). and quite bright.

 

Thanks, the color coordinates are quite impressive:


(white = this screen, red=sRGB, green=NTSC), it has even better gamut than the mac displays.

Unfortunaly i have been unable to find a datasheet for N173HGE-L11/L21 to confirm this.

 

Thanks for the comments on the viewing angles, Nellu. Would be interesting to know how you liked the clarity and colors with movies, snaps & gaming.

 

This is the screen:

Chimei Innolux Corporation - 17.3\"FHD(N173HGE-L11/L21)

 

I just got my non 3D XPS last night and I will be keeping the laptop. The screen is nice, maybe not as nice as the 3D screen but that is a maybe. I had the 3D version last week and I think it had better contrast ratio because of the glossy screen. The glossy screens seem to make the colors more rich and "darker". However, the non 3D screen seems to have better color accuracy and I am liking the matte screen. Ive never had a laptop with a matte screen and I am using it at work where all the lights are really bright so it helps.
The screen is really bright also- not as bright as the 3D version of course but brighter than any other laptop I have tried that doesnet need to be 3D.
I think most people will be very pleased with the screen unless you really like glossy screens.
I have yet to run some games and movies on it so I will be back with pics and vids as soon as I can.

 

I received my XPS 17'' today in Canada and I think the screen is ok. Don't have much to compare it to but I think the glossy might have been the better choice. I haven't tweaked the colour scheme etc yet but it almost seems not sharp enough of something.

Does anyone have any recommended settings to get it looking a bit better. It also seems kind of grayish.

 

Thanks Beertha and Dell201 for your comments. Looks like there are mixed feelings for XPS 17 unlike the XPS 15 which seem to have been liked by one and all.

I am eagerly awaiting mine.

Thanks Darkstone for posting the chart. Your comments are encouraging.

 

What do you mean by that? Blacks that look like grey, of the regulair matte fuzzy layer?

I'm note sure, but the contrast seems disappointing according to the first experiences.

 

I will echo these comments. I am enjoying the AG finish. While I do not have the immediate comparison with a new glossy screen. I am upgrading from an older Inspiron with the glossy screen.

My home office has side and back windows that I used to have to keep closed, this screen is certainly more forgiving in a bright room. I am going to try it outside later today.

KSM

 

Both, the colours don't seem that sharp/accurate and I can really notice the fuzzy layer!

 

I have some pics and a short video comparing the AG 1080 screen with a 2005 Inspiron 9300 (1920x1200).
I actually dont care for any other screen right now even after using the 3D XPS for a couple of weeks. The darks are slightly better on the 3D screen but I like not having any reflections/glare on my display. Im always seeing my coworkers reflection whenever they watch me play games/movies on my laptop- but no more thanks to the Antiglare screen.
I know with a good calibration, this screen will be better.
Hope these pictures help you guys out. Like I said, I used the 3D XPS for a couple of weeks before returning it last week and I am keeping this non-3D screen because I really like the screen now.
Sorry for the crappy picture quality because I used my Samsung Galaxy phone to take the pics/video. not a real camera.

I have both laptops at full brightness- so thats why the XPS looks kinda bright and oversaturated. I usually have the brightness turned down more than half for better quality but I wanted to be fair and keep both laptops the same.

 

awesome. thanks for the pics. how is the shift form the 9300 to the XPS 17? is the xps much heavier or about the same? does it feel MUCH nicer (aside from tech specs) or is it primarily more powerful? would love to hear your comparison of those two

 

Thanks for the effort, beertha. That green grass looks really nice on the XPS, while it seems grayish on the Inspiron. I hope the blacks are decent too...

 

Thanks for the photos and video posting beertha.

Here's the 1st youtube video I've seen.

YouTube - 2011 | Dell XPS 17 Review

I'll post more as I find them.

 

The shift from the 9300 to this machine is awesome. The XPS is definitely lighter but longer in width and shorter in height. The screen is super bright so I gotta turn it down below halfway because whites like this forum page is super bright- whereas whites on the 9300 are bearable during max brightness. The XPS is super quiet, hardly ever hear the fan come on.
The XPS looks and feels like much more refined than the 9300 of course, but I used an HP Envy 17 3D and that machine had way better looks, but way more problems so I had to return it.
As far as gaming, the XPS gets really hot on the left palm rest so its a good thing I like to use the xbox 360 controller for most of my games. I guess thats what happens when the laptop uses metal instead of plastic for a case, heat conduction- but at least we know heat is dissipitating thru the chasis also.
Im thinking of returning and getting the 555 gpu instead of the 550 I have now especially since there is $450 off coupon now. I used the $400 coupon to get mine (see sig) for $974- waaay cheaper than the Inspiron 9300 I bought back in 2005 for $1400, I didnt skimp on the processor this time. I made that mistake with the Inspiron 9300- having an awesome screen but crappy processor kind of doesnt future proof yourself past 5 years.

 

I uploaded a video to Youtube demoing Portal 2/Crysis 2 on my XPS 17 (See Sig).
Just wanted to help some people grasp what the Anti-glare screen and fps might be like.

Sorry- Very difficult trying to manipulate the controller while holding the cellphone to take video.


YouTube - XPS 17 L702x Crysis2/Portal2 Demo