XPS M1330 screens

As most people might already know there are two different 13,3" WLED TFT panels available for the Dell XPS M1330, namely a TMD (Toahiba Matu****a Display) and a CMO (Chi Mei Optoelectronics) panel. Both are 13.3-inch (34 cm) WXGA (1280 x 800) TN panels, which are claimed by the specific panel suppliers and the Dell marketing specs to have a luminance of around 300 nits (cd/m² .

The CMO panel is claimed to have the following specs:

• 13.3-inch (34 cm) WXGA (1280 x 800)
• Type TN Panel
• 300 nits (cd/m²
• Double COG/LED backlight
• Contrast Ratio of 500:1
• 25 ms Response Time
• View Angles (U/D/R/L) 60°/60°/50°/60°
• Weight 245 g

The TMD panel in contrast is advertized with the following specs:

• 13.3-inch (34 cm) WXGA (1280 x 800)
• Type TN Panel
• 300 nits (cd/m²
• Power usage 4.0 W
• Weight 225 g

Below you can find some pics of three XPS M1330 models which are all equipped with LED panels, the left two of them (the red and white models) do have the CMO panel, the right (black one) has the TMD panel.

Note that display impressions just taken from images, mostly don't give back an exact feeling in the same manner, as the natural human eyes would give for display comparisons. - However, at least they will give you an idea that there are some differences between those different suppliers panels.

Ok I will give just a few comments now about the CMO and TMD LED panels.

• The TMD panel shows white colors with a shade of blue, the CMO with a shade of yellow.
• The CMO panel has by far the better viewing angles, even both are just TN panels. The TMD panel earaly distorts and washes out colors.
• The TMD panel shows colors with a stronger saturation, but the CMO better on high viewing angles.
• The CMO panel seems to be brighter on images, but the TMD is also bright if you sit directly in front of it and don't look at it from high viewing angles.
• Both panels have a slightly light leaking at the top and bottom from the LED backlight lines.
• The *real* luminance of both is Ok, but not as spectacular as the specs of 300 nits might suggerate.
• Some people prefer the TMD panel, others the CMO, so it is mostly a very subjective/individual aspect what people prefer.

Finally I would say, that either panel is quite good usable and that both of them have pros and cons.

 

very nice comparison

 

Just to be certain, is this what we're seeing in the pictures - from left to right - CMO, CMO, TMD. The third certainly seems less bright, although all the pictures are from angles.

Incidentally, all things considered, would people say these screens are average or above or below the average for laptop screens out at the moment?

 

Heh, not bad. I was pretty impressed with the horizontal viewing angles of the CMO panel I have currently. Vertical viewing angles are still no good - you can only do so much with a TN panel as a basis.

I'd say it's above average in terms of brightness and viewing angles.

 

Yes that order of the panels is correct.

The TMD (the third one) is also bright but it isn't much noticable from an angles view, since it has more saturated colorings. Some people who looked at all three shown notebook displays are saying the TMD is brighter when you are in front of it, others in contrast are saying that the CMO seems to be brighter. The TMD panel has a minimal sparkling-effect on white surfaces, the CMO has instead slightly viewable fine vertical stripes on white.

Thus I believe it finally always depends more on a individual persons judging and feeling.

 

I was, in general, not impressed with my TMD panel. I thought whites were almost yellow. I sent it back b/c to me, it wasn't a premium screen. I'd be very interested if anyone can verify who makes the Sony SZ's screen, b/c many people claim that Sony screens are the best, whereas I, for one, think that they're still coming from the same places in China. In other words, I think that they're likely CMO screens, too.

 

AFAIK TMD and CMO have only started some months ago to produce their first LED backlit panel models at all. So I doubt that CMO is the supplier for the Sony Vaio SZ panels at all, since Sony offers LED based panels for much longer time than other notebook vendors.

Also Sony has much longer time experience with LED based panels in notebooks with 11.1"-13.3" screen sizes. But the best and most luminant Sony Vaio panels are still those X-black panels with double lamp CCFL backlights. However, the Sony LED panels are also very good and some of them, even they are glare panels, have a slightly anti-reflective coating (the visable pink effect on some of their better screens) on them for better viewing angles.

But actually I don't know who might be the panel supplier for the Vaio LED based notebooks.

 

So what screen the better one ?

 

I personally prefer the CMO panel, since I like it's better horizontal viewing angles and it seems to me to be a not as glossy as the TMD. But a friend of me is instead more in favor of the TMD for it's saturated colors.

 

I remember one report of a LG-Philips screen on a 1330, can't recall who tho. BTW, I never saw a CMO screen but I've noticed poor viewing angles (in terms of brightness) and blue tint the moment I got my 1330 with the Toshiba screen. I do like the colors on it tho.

 

when i get my notebook, how will i know if its a CMO or TMD ?
I'd really prefer a CMO, brighter.

 

Just check the hardware ID of the monitor under Device Manager. If it's CMO1309, it's CMO, if it's LCDxxxx it's a TMD.

 

Why did they use two different LED panels, why not just stick with one? So anyone can receive either one of them?

 

Large companies such as Dell will often source components from multiple manufacturers to alleviate supply concerns or to avoid catastrophic problems if one manufacturer were to develop issues with manufacturing, or even problems such as loss of electricity at their production facility, as Samsung recently demonstrated.

And yes, it's luck of the draw.

 

CMO is not brighter but it does appear to have better viewing angles.

 

In order to tell for sure which panel would be brighter under equal real lightning conditions, we would have to measure the two panels with a colorimeter like hardware device, as for example a GretagMacbeth's Eye-One device etc. - Actually I don't have one handy, so that I can't tell here the exact measured cd/m² (nits) values for both panels. With a colorimeter we would also be able to determine exact coloring differences between the two panels in the white, black, red, blue and green color directions...and so on.

However one thing for sure is, that IMO neither of the panels comes even close to the advertized marketing statement of 300 nits. - Another point not to forget is, that not all panels of a suppliers panel model/type might always show up in the same manner, since there are also often factory related build tolerances between one and the same panel models among different manufactored charges/series.

 

Related to a LG-Philips panel, even LG-Philips is beside Samsung one of the biggest guys in the LCD panel production on the market (and I personally prefer LG-P over Samsung panels), I doubt that they now actually offer own 13.3" notebook TFT panels with LED backlights.

Add-On:

As I just saw, there are now some hot debates in another XPS M1330 related thread about the luminance and quality aspects etc. of the two different TFT panels.

Let me say that here in this thread I tried first of all to be as objective as possible and thus didn't told you just my own opinion and viewings, instead I tried to made a sort of sum up of the opinions from a bunch of people (so all just via human eyes) who looked at those TFT panels shown in the above pictures. That's also the main reason why I didn't said that a specific panel is definetely brighter than the other one, or things like that. Since even the human eye or a measurement device can be deceivable at some times. So the above made statements are finally a collection of impressions from different people, which partly also had different opinions.

However, for those who might insist to know my primary own personal impression, as I told before, I took the CMO panel as my overall favorite.

 

Received mine today.. its a TMD

 

HA! That worked well, good on ya Dell! :\

 

I have not received my White M1330 yet but I checked the service tag and it shows CMO screen on the BOM.

 

in what stage are you able to get the service tag number?

 

The service tag is the very first thing done in the build stage. From there, everything is scanned in as it is assembled.

You can get the number from that point of you talk nicely to anyone who knows how to use DOMS.

 

I will also add to this, I have 2 M1330's with the Toshiba LED screen and one is brighter and sharper than the other. The difference is small, but noticeable. I had 2 other people look at the screens and within a few seconds, they noticed the difference in the screens, preferring the brighter of the Toshiba displays

 

It's not necessarily a sure thing. My replacement's BOM also showed the same CMO, but ended up being the TMD one. Now it could be that they used the same BOM list as the original when shipping the replacement.

 

That could be possible in the case of a replacement but I dont believe so with the original system as the parts are scanned in as installed.

Well actually, that would even be odd for the replacement as the process starts the same with the computer having everything scanned onto the new service tag. I would believe the only way the wrong processor could get on their is if someone scamnned one type then, for some reason grabbed another type.

Lastly, this only applies to the system description listed as you look up your warranty status. There have been many mistakes on the final invoice received which is probably to do with the original order inputted and then their necessity to change or upgrade a part.

 

I have a TMD panel on my M1330.. has anyone noticed that with a white screen on the display and brightness down, the backlight is uneven across the display (in lines).. Most noticable at the lowest 2 brightness levels..

(or have I just got a dud?)

 

It seems that some have these lines and some don't. I've had 2 M1330's with TMD display and both were completely even at the lowest brightness levels. Neither had any light leakage

 

On my first m1330, I received the CMO panel. It was very bright, but I immediately noticed very yellowish whites on it. The horizontal viewing angles were excellent, but the colors did look washed out and a bit too warm. Also, I noticed tiny horizontal lines going across the screen, kind of like a horizontal grain or stripe. There was also noticeable light bleeding both at the top and the bottom of the screen, and the screen looked kind of unevenly lit when it was black. My screen got scratched easily, so I ended up returning it and they sent me a replacement.

Luckily, I got the Toshiba panel. To me it is far superior to the CMO panel. The whites are much more of a "true" white. Colors, as have been mentioned above, are much more saturated and vibrant. While the screen isn't quite as bright as the CMO, it is a small difference and not really noticeable unless the two screens are put side by side. There are no lines across the screen, but there is a grain, but that seems to be the case with all/most Dell glossy displays. This screen also has backlight bleeding, but is more evenly lit. I'm glad the replacement came with a Toshiba.

 

Wow the TMD screen looks terrible.

 

I had a CMO, 2 TMD's.

CMO had horrible light leakage, and a stuck pixel. TMD LCD was given to be replaced, but the tech did a hell of a crappy job at putting the system together, Dell offered me a new system.

New system came with TMD, but the replacement TMD LCD was much brighter, white was true white, while the new system's TMD's LCD were little dimmer than the other.

I would still prefer little dimmer TMD over the first CMD I had which had leakage, and a stuck pixel over any day, but the TMD LCD that was on my old system really rocked, and looked as if it was a premium screen like it should.

 

Mine is AUO1424? what screen is this?

 

Google is your friend.

AU Optronics

 

which is a 3rd variation?