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

I see very different opinions on this Full HD screen AG.
Finally, it is better than the AUO 1600x900 HD +?

Choose Screen 1600x900 HD + with 6GB, or better Full HD AG screen with 4Gb for 110 € more?
To choose the 3D FH in Europe have increase 400 € (about $ 570)


I've had the screen to 1600x900 and it seems good, but prefer to 1080p

All models Full HD AG come with panel Chi Mei??
It's worse than Hannstar panel of the Asus G73?
Thanks and forgive my poor English

 

That ChiMei panel is also used on the G73SW and yes, it is said to be inferior to the Hannstar panel. Still, having experienced the standard HD+ panel installed on Dell's 17" laptops, I chose the FHD AG (still on order).

 

Have you noticed a significant difference going from panel HD + in levels of contrast, viewing angles and colors? Level of black?
Thanks

 

I'm afraid I can't say anything, until it's shipped

 

anyone has real data levels of contrast, black levels and viewing angles?
I'm waiting for some reviews to make order

Options:

i7 2630qm,6Gb,500Gb,Gt555M,Wifi 1030,Gt555m, HD+ 1600x900 - 916€/1305$
i7 2630qm,4Gb,500Gb,Gt550M,Wifi 1030,Gt555m,FHD AG (1080p )- 1030€/1467$

P.D: european prices.....

 

Better Option:
i7 2630qm,4Gb,500Gb,Gt555M,Wifi 1030,Gt555m,FHD AG (1080p )

 

Received my L702x non-3d 1080p Laptop. Here's what I think:

Display:
What I like: The clarity, color and viewing angles are very good. Brightness is super. I watched the WallE movie from a blueray disk and was very happy with the clarity.

I am not too sure to comment on color accuracy.

What I don't like: The whole screen has a very fine grain surface/texture that is visible (not sure of the correct technical term for this) which I think is due to the matte finish.

This is clearly visible when the background is either white or any bright color. Open Notepad and maximize the window and you will notice this easily on the entire screen. I sometimes feel a little uncomfortable with this screen when working with text editors because of the texture. With darker background colors it seems less apparant. I didnt notice it much when watching the movie maybe because of the constant moving picture (rather I was enjoying the clarity).

Snaps look very good. However, where there are lighter colors in the snap the texture becomes apparent and sometimes it feels like it is "enhancing" noise in the snap. Well, just my opinion, others who got their laptop could express how they feel.

I have used Dell Inspiron 8500 and Latitude D630 earlier both with matte screen but never felt this texture effect on those screens.

The anti glare is very good and the super brightness makes it all great to work in bright light. I was sitting with a window just behind me (day light, about 11am), my brightness set to level 6 (brightness indicator using the F4/F5 keys has max 16 levels) I was very comfortable viewing the content on the screen - no reflection. I haven't tried outdoor yet.

The 17" size feels very good to watch movies and view snaps. But for the texture effect, I love this laptop for everything else.

Attached are some snaps: The IMG_0001 and 0002 are with least and max brightness correspondingly (not sure if this helps ). Same with 03 & 04.

I will add a video clip, shortly.









Well... the snaps look excellent when seen directly than through a camera eye.

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIurhnjWkMo

 

Did you order with backlit?

 

No. My keyboard is not backlit.

 

Video link (movie clip played on 702x 1080p non-3d AG screen):
YouTube - L702x 1080p Non3d AG

 

I do not understand this: "The whole screen has a very fine grain surface/texture that is visible" could you explain it better??

 

^ It's the matte surface, it's overdone compare to my matte monitors.

 

Take a look at Scott's pictures of the AG panel in detail ( link).

 

^ Great pics, I missed that post.

It shows perfectly the exaggerated matte surface with this particular screen. If it were more of a semi-matte to reduce reflections the screen would've been fine, except for the purple push (on mine anyway) for which there will hopefully be a solution.

 

Well, in regard to colors, hopefully someone will post an ICC profile for that panel, like some good people did for other panels offered with the XPS series.

 

Thanks for the photos.
I'm not convinced the panel FHD AG, I think that we cancel the order and will ask again with panel HD + (AUO139E)

 

I know what I have mentioned is not very clear but I am very sorry... I really do not know how to express this thing better. The screen has this grainy surface through which we are seeing snaps, text everything.

I think I could refer you to Scott's comment that might help. You would have probably read this already.

Thanks Plexihead and mkj for pitching in.

 

Hi,
I have the 3D version for 1 week now and I am pretty annoyed by the fan noise, kicking every 3-4 minutes for about 30s even in idle mode or just reading on this forum

So my question is, does the non 3D have the same behavior ? I hope not due to the fact Optimus is there.

I am thinking about returning it, do I have to give a reason and do I need to pay anything for an exchange ? Non 3D will be even cheaper, so are they refund me the difference ?

Thanks

 

When I had my 3D XPS the fan did come on more often than the Optimus version, but not that often. Try removing all GPU/CPU temperature monitoring gadgets/widgets because that helped me out.
But if you still dont want the 3D version then you should have no problem returning the laptop and repurchasing the Optimus version. The Dell reps want to hear phrases like "I want to repurchase" so that they know you are buying another laptop not just returning.
I am waiting on my thrid XPS and have owned/used the 3D version and Optimus version in the past 2 months (See Sig) I had to get the 555 because they came out with the $500 coupon that I just couldnt resist.

 

remvu, let me point you to some threads specifically related to the fan issue, which should answer your questions in regard to 3D/non-3D/Optimus: http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/565548-dell-xps-17-l702x-fan-control.html, http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/570946-xps-15-l502x-constant-fan-off.html.

As for returning, like beertha said, Dell might go easy on you, if you intend to reorder another system.

 

Hi Remvu, I have the non-3d version (with QM2630 + 550 GPU) and I am happy my laptop is very quite (touch wood ). My usage - I have some browser instances + text editor and command prompts with some processing happening but not CPU intensive at all.
Note that with the non-3d version you will be getting a matte screen instead of the glossy screen that you have now - just in case if it matters to you.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I already read the threads about the fan issue, for mine turning off the widget didn't resolve anything.
The fan still kicks on every 3-4min when CORE CPU temperature is going around 60°C (just remembering, don't have the Laptop here).

Just to explain, I order 3D for the full HD panel (other option was not available), I don't care about the 3D. I read this thread here to know if the AG screen is good as the TL.
If I "crosscheck" what I have read about the screen, AG seems good enough for me and I like matte screen to avoid bad reflexion.
If this fan issue for the 3D wasn't there I would have been satisfied, but this noise bother me to much (maybe I am a bit naggy

Dell rep told me by chat that the delay was 7 days, but I will call tomorrow and tell the magic words

 

Has anyone professionally calibrated this AG matte screen? If yes, would you please share your color settings here? I'm happy with this screen but it needs to be calibrated as colors are bit off, specially blue.

If someone has manually tweaked color settings and liking it, please share your settings.

Thanks in adv.

 

I just got my third XPS ( see Sig) and this screen is horrible compared to the last ag screen that i shipped out. The contrast on the new screen is way too high gamma too high, saturation too high.
I can see now why so many people are complaining about how crappy the screens are. The last XPS I had with the matte screen was beautiful, but this one is different and looks too washed out. From the moment I turned it on i could tell it wasn't looking good. After going into the Intel screen settings and dropping the contrast as far down as it could go, then tweaking the gamma and brightness, it looks way better now.
I got the feeling that Dell uses different lcds but uses the same screen calibration settings for all the builds. That's why my last matte screen looked great but this one looks like dodo.
After tweaking some settings it looks good now, but I think more is needed.

 

Did you check if this is the Chimei N173HGE-L11/L21 panel or something else?

 

My temperatures went for 60 idle to 42 idle in cpuid hw when I unloaded and disabled the two realtek audio utilities in startup. If use the waves max audio button at the top which loads the utility the temperatures will jump up 15c or more. I assume they'll fix the utilities eventually?

 

I think so, it says CMO1720 under hardware ID?????

I got it to look alot better now but still wish I had the other Matte screen instead of this one.

I went into the Intel color enhancement settings and set this for now:

Contrast 40
Saturation 0
Gamma 1.0
Brightness -8

I would really like to take the contrast down more, but 40 is the lowest possible for the Intel settings. I probably gotta revert to the NVIDIA color settings for anything else.
The colors are off a little bit just like the other 1080 panels.
I wish I had looked at what LCD panel my last XPS had, probably the AUO or LG.

The way I have the settings now, my colors are rich and contrast is dark but a little clarity in dark details is sacrificed. Still need someone with proffessional calibration settings.

Still a very nice panel and I am keeping this laptop for sure- I was just spoiled by how nice the other matte screen was compared to this one. Although this one seems really bright.

I will post up pics again like how I did on page 5. and a video too.

 

Can you plz tell me how to go in this setting ?

 

Just go to the lower right corner in the taskbar and find the "Intel HD Graphics" icon that looks like a monitor. Then select "graphics properties" then "Color Enhancement".

You can also try the Nvidia control panel settings too.

 

Hi Scott, did you ever change this out? What do you think? Did you lose optimus and widi?

 

So are you saying your signature needs to be changed? Your 3rd one still says on order. And also are you saying then that both non 3D screens were the same brand but wayyyy different in quality?

 

Sorry bout the signature, just changed it. But nevermind what I said about the horrible image quality Im getting with this Matte AG LCD. I am loving it like I did my last one, so its all good. I just dropped the contrast and decreased the brightness a little to achieve a very attractive Display. One thing about these screens are that they are really bright and it can take away some of the detail when the contrast is not set right- I think.
Anyways, to sum it all up. Loving the screen, dont want no glossy stuff.

I never checked the Hardware ID on the other LCD that I returned so I cant say for sure if it was a different brand than this one -(CMO1720)

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 .......... Ninth
-------------------------
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 ... Ninth

Timing Characteristics
Range limits ............. Not available
GTF standard ............. Not supported
Additional descriptors ... Ninth
Preferred timing ......... Yes
Native / preferred timing .. 1920x1080p at 60Hz (16:9)
Fashion Line ............... "1920x1080" 140,490 1920 1972 2007 2094 1080 1083 1089 1118 + hsync-vsync
Detailed timing # 1 ....... 1920x1080p at 40Hz (16:9)
Fashion Line ............... "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
DataSource .............. Active Registry
Operating system ......... 6.1.7601.2.Service Pack 1

Raw Data
00, FF, FF, FF, FF, FF, FF, 00.0 D, AF, 20,17,00,00,00,00,02,15,01,04,90,26,15,78,02, ED, 95, A3, 54.4 C, 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,
36,00,7 E, D7, 10,00,00,1 A, 1D, 24.80, A0, 70,38,1 F, 40,30,20,35,00,7 E, D7, 10,00,00, 1A, 00,00,00, FE, 00.48,
43,39,47,4 B, 80,31,37,33,48,47,45,0 A, 00,00,00,00,00,00,41,31,9 e, 00,00,00,00, 02,01,0 A, 20,20,00, F3

 

Here is another data sheet that might be more user freindly straight from the Chei Mei website;


Model Name N173HGE-L11/L21
Panel Size 17.3 "FHD
Technology TN
Resolution 1920 x 1080
Aspect Ratio 4:09 p.m.
Pixel Pitch (mm) 0.1989
Active Area (mm) 381.88 x 214.81
Outline (mm) 398.1 x 232.8 x 5.7
PPI 128
Luminance (nits) 300
View Angle (U / D / R / L) 70/70/60/60
Contrast Ratio 500:1
Color Support 262K
Power Consumption (w) 9.3
Response Time (ms) 8
Weight (g) 600
Electrical Interface LVDS
Backlight LED
Mass Production January 2011

Now just need to find the other LCD panel data sheet to compare the specs vs this one.

 

Due to horrible colors of this AG screen, I'm thinking to buy Spyder3Pro monitor calibrator. Has anyone calibrated this matte screen using Spyder3Pro? any significant difference after calibrating screen?

 

I'm really on the fence on this AG screen... i need to order tomorrow if i'm going to do it..

is it really that bad (for people that have recieved it in the past few weeks)? and how much is it (ballpark) to change it out down the line with another nice 1080 screen? assuming i can figure out how to do that.. thanks!

i just want true colors and a nice look. ..lol is that so much to ask?

 

It looks fine to me more than sharp enough to select and edit my photographs.

You have people taking photos of the screen that can't even focus a camera that should tell you something?

Do you really believe someone that describes its color as "horrible" nuts!

The colors are dead on and comparable with any other monitor I have or have seen.

 

I guess the decision for me was the fact that the screen can always be replaced with that LG screen if I don't like it when it gets here but if you go with the 3d screen right away it appears that you can never activate optimum or widi.

 

Wildjim and I are on the same page here. There are all these wild comments about how terrible the screen is. Maybe a better way to ask is, what matte screen have you used that is better?

I'm 33. I've really used (not just looked at or tried out) maybe 18-20 different laptops over the years, most of them being corporate models, mobile workstations, or medium to high end consumer laptops. This screen is nicest of any laptop screen I've used. It's also nicer than the 30 or so cheap TN's desktop LCD's I see everyday. On top of that it has the capacity to be ridiculously bright. Setting it at max brightness it is a torch, colors get washed out but that setting could be very useful to people who do a lot of work outside.

Having said that, the colors and blacks have less "pop" than you get with glossy LCD's. You are never going to get that from a matte screen, so if you like it, be honest about it.

 

I agree with you 100%. People who complain did not use a matte screen before. Once you do some small adjustments for brighness and contrast the colors are quite good. The rest is just a typical matte screen. You either want a matte screen or a glossy screen , and live with it's limitations (each one has advantages and disadvantages). If you read around you will see a lot of people who hate glossy screen and want matte ones. Question of taste.But in general this screen is above average for a standard laptop screen. Maybe in the future IPS screens will become cheaper and more popular, but I don't see this happening this or next year.

 

I got my L702X yesterday and I'm happy with the FHD AG screen. The matte coating seems to be visible and may require getting used to it, but that doesn't bother me. Comparing to matte panels on Dell's business series and to the 17,3" HD+ glossy one, which I've experienced on the Studio 1749, I have to admit, I've never seen such vivid colors and such deep blacks. The overall image is blueish, but I guess it's a matter of applying a proper ICC profile - I hope someone calibrates this screen and shares some files on the forums

 

Thank you guys for chiming in about how you like the screen. For a while I thought I was going crazy cause it seems like I was the only one who liked the screen.

Slare is on it when he asks what what matte screen have you used that is better? Especially at this price point (I know the 17" Macbook matte screen is better but for $3k ?)

Yes the colors are slightly off with a bluish tint.
And yes the blacks are not as rich as a glossy screen.
Other than that its a pretty nice screen.

This screen does get brighter than most other laptops with a 300 nits and that is great for viewing outside especially with the matte screen.

For 5 yrs Ive used an Inspiron 9300 with a 1900x1200 anti-glare display, which I still think looks great but is very glossy and not as bright.

Just my 2 c

 

No one is talking here abt camera focus, why in world you said that? We are talking here abt colors (and other parameters like brightness, contrast, saturation etc) of the screen in general - not only for photos but also for videos, webpages, games etc

Screen is ok for normal use. I mentioned this colors as 'horrible' bcoz with factory settings colors are VERY saturated, UNREAL which some people may like it, some colors like blue, red looks fluorescent to me. My 5yr old HP laptop screen was even better than this one. I wanted to see natural truelife color for photo editing.. I'm sure that screen will look much better once its properly calibrated. If u are finding this screen (with factory settings) suitable for photo editing, then either you are newbie in photo editing or u have bad eye..

Looks like you have yet to see 'good quality' screen then..

 

^ Agreed, the screen is not very good for true color or viewing angles. Now, I'm coming from desktops, so my opinion on this particular screen could be considered suspect due to not having much (I've used but never owned laptops) experience with various laptop screens over the years.

 

Yes, I changed it out before selling the L702x (need to reduce some laptop inventory). The display has nothing to do with the functionality of Optimus and WiDi; both of which worked fine after the swap. I did get another LVDS video cable however since the 120Hz compatible display needed the 3D version cable over the stock one shipped in my system. I have not researched it enough to confirm if this would be a requirement for everyone or if was just me. At any rate, the part numbers are below:

Stock non-3D display cable: # P4J7R LVDS CABLE TS 50PIN (M P/N DDGM7CLC010)

LP173WF2 120Hz (3D) capable display cable: # 552HT LVDS CABLE 3D 50PIN (M P/N DDGM7CLC300)

The screen is very nice and smooth even during fast high definition viewing, which in the end won me over.

The AG screen outer layer finish on mine was simply not acceptable. Yes, I know how to focus a camera and yes I have over 15 years of advanced technology experience. It is obvious I prefer Dell systems and have tested several dozen over the years. Two of my daily systems have AG screens and I know what is proper and what is not. Regardless, it is a personal choice for the actual owner of each specific system so take what I and others say on both sides of the discussion with a grain of salt. For me, the replacement glossy screen was a keeper.

Now, I am moving on to the M6600 system and will test that AG screen against all the others.

Scott-

 

Ok, great, thank you as usual for the great info. But now I'm confused about a couple of things.... do you or anyone else know what disables optimus and widi on the 3G units?

Also, is the LP173WF2 what dell puts in the 3D models then?

thx

 

Received my l702x a few days back, and I'm quite happy with the display. I see the "sparkle" of the finish that folks mention - it reminds me of the first Dell LCD I used at work (~7 years ago). This display is a big improvement from the AG of the Dell B130 I've been using for couch surfing for the last 5 years. The B130 display at full brightness is similar to the l702x at "0" brightness (which is perhaps 40% or so). I'm very happy with it. It was quite blue from the factory, but looks much better after a spyder 2 express calibration. I put my icm file up on rapidshare in case anyone wants to try it:
https://rapidshare.com/files/786124947/Spyder2express.icm
Hopefully that link is correct, this is my first time attempting to share something via rapidshare.

Any tip on how I can check exactly what panel my machine came with? Is there a utility you run?

 

Ahains , someone here , can't recall who , recently posted this link EnTech Taiwan | Utilities | Monitor Asset Manager

 

I d/l the profile but I don't see a difference. Dell must have used the Spyder2 also ; )

Thank You. . .

 

Are you sure you got the profile to be used by the system? If it's Windows 7, I highly recommend the step by step directions at Laszlo Pusztai Photography - Stop Losing Display Calibration with Windows 7 for enabling the profile. I noticed a stark difference and an enormous improvement.

 

Thanks for the pointer. I just ran this util and found I have the same info as I see in Beertha's post. It would seem this is likely a common panel then, so probably most folks with the AG screen would see a marked improvement with the icm profile I uploaded.