Any consensus on new batch of 1520 grainy problems?

Do the new batches of the 1520 have any graininess still. I see more and more user reviews that say don't have any graininess. I've been so fixated on the shipping delays for my notebook, I haven't checked into the grainy problem in awhile. Any thoughts? Thanks!!

 

I'd say the graininess problem has disappeared.

I did see one post today who was unsure whether his screen was grainy or not (that usually means it's not ). Most likely it was a case of not setting the contrast at full and the resolution at native.

 

Can grain appear on the gloss screens, or the non glare screen, or both?

 

The graininess appears only on the glossy screens.The graininess issue has not disappeared and it won't until new screens come out. If you order a WXGA+ or WSXGA+ (Both are Trulife, you can't modify it), your guaranteed graininess. Check out the latest Vostro 1500 and 1520 posts, all report graininess.

The only way your not going to get graininess on the E1520 is to choose the lowest resolution screen (glossy/matte, doesn't matter).

 

You are hardly guaranteed graininess if you order the WXGA+ or the WSXGA+ screens. There have been plenty of new posts that don't report any graininess.

I haven't seen all these latest posts that are reporting graininess, but I'll be willing to accept that if you could point me in their general direction.

 

Just a few I'm aware of:

Grainy screens:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=156920

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=155947

1280x800 Good Screen:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=141862

You may have to read through the whole thread, I think the second one the OP thought he didn't have grain, when later he realizes he does! The first one is immediately apparent but it doesn't bother him so much.

I've seen (and had many laptops) with grain. It is flat out 100% unacceptable to the image quality to my eyes. The earliest ever, if people remember, were the XPS M170 17 inch screens that were absolutely terrible.

 

hmm.... I read both of those posts, and I didn't think either of them had graininess. I had a grainy screen on an old Acer I got once, and its not something that can really be dismissed like the people in those two posts (you seem to agree with me on that point). You'll notice that the first people to receive 1520's with the grainy screens could not stand it, but those reports have disappeared.

Usually, I find that the people who think they have graininess, but "it doesn't bother me," like the people in those two posts, simply don't have their contrast set on maximum. When you first receive a 1520 or a 1500, the contrast is usually set to about 50%.

 

Graininess is not something Dell can control, so whether they are new batches of 1520s or not, wouldn't affect the screens. Only new screens from the manufacturers could possibly have an effect. I have seen varying degrees of grain myself, from worst (Asus A8jp) to bad (XPS M170), to tolerable (E1705). It really depends on the person's tolerance to these things as well, much like a screen's refresh rate (There are some people who can tolerate a 60hz refresh rate on a CRT, to the point where their eyes can't even see it! I can see anything below 85hz).

 

That's well argued, and I know that Dell doesn't make their own screens, but I'm still hesitant to believe that those people have grainy screens. I've talked to a few cases like that, and after adjusting the contrast, the 'problem' seems to go away.

In any case, the main point of your first post here was that you're guaranteed graininess if you get the WXGA+ or the WSXGA+ screens, and that is simply not true. The OP here was correct when they mentioned that the new reviews of the 1520's don't seem to be reporting graininess.

 

I got my 1520 a few days ago and it has the grainy screen....I think. It really doesn't bother me. If the background is all white it's more noticeable, but it's really not that big a deal to me. I don't know if I have a "mild" case of it though.

 

my 1440x900 screen is extremely grainy. now i see what people are talking about. it looks as if the screen is "wet" with lots of little dots of water all over it...it doesn't really bother me though.

 

ah well... now we seem to be getting hits here.

+1 to citizen panda
-1 to me

 

My 1420 replacement system had this problem too.. It looked like vasoline smeared on the screen.. I returned the original (cracked lid display), and the grainy screen replacement (AUO Manufacturer for display) on Monday. Thank god I was still under 21 days to do this. Let me also say that Dell DOES have some control over grainy screens. The problem is Dell chooses to use many manufacturers (cheap ones from China) that have big time issues with grainy screens. There are some manufacturers that have eliminated this. On the 1420 systems, anyone who gets a SEC (Samsung) panel never has the grainy problem. Also, on the HP's 6500t and 2500t systems.. nobody is seeing the sever grainy problems like Dell customers are.

I also want to give a heads up on HP's 20 percent coupon offer that will end on the 18th this month. They have some screaming deals right now.. Free Hard Drive upgrades.. free dvd burner lightscribe upgrade.. 75 percent off for 2 gigs memory, and free upgrade to vista premium.

I made a mistake and did not click on the free upgrade to lightscribe.. HP does not let you cancel modify order.. but CSR at HP said they could try to cancel or offered me another 100 dollars off. So I ended up with a insane deal.. If the 8600 card is not that big a deal.. and you are having issues with the 1520.. then go to HP.. Here is what I got with the 6500t system.. and also it has HDMI output and fingerprint reader.. Insane.

FREE Upgrade from Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic to Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)!
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7100 (1.80 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
- 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
- 75% OFF upgrade to 2GB DDR2 (2 Dimm)!!
- 50% OFF!! 383MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS!!
- HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
- FREE Upgrade from 80GB 5400RPM to 120GB 5400RPM!!
- SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
- No TV Tuner w/remote control
- High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
Deluxe Microfibre Cleaning Cloth
2-year HP Pick Up and Return Extended Service Plan for HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario Notebook PCs

For a Total of $1088 dollars. Thats includes tax.. free shipping.

 

thanks for the advice desert , but i got the 2.2 GHz processor (over 1.8), the 8600M GT (over the offered 8400M GS), 160GB 7200 RPM HDD (over the 120GB 5400 RPM HDD), a 9 cell (over the 6 cell), and 3 yrs of in-home warranty service (over 2 yrs) and possibly yours too might have accidental damage protection....for just $107 more than you paid for your laptop. except with a $100 gift card, free $30 bag, $60 remote, and next day shipping, my total's "value" comes out less so i dont want to leave my dell. didnt get the fingerprint reader tho or a microfibre cloth, well, i already have a microfibre cloth for my sunglasses lol.

but also since dell does have other screens if i call them about it do you think they'd send someone over to give me a good screen? also...the screen isnt very bright (even on max brightness)...has anyone else noticed this?

 

Demand a new screen. If you don't mind downgrading to 1280x800 (you are guaranteed a much nicer, brighter and non-grainy screen), you could do that. I'm not sure Dell currently has any supply of non-grainy 1440x900 screens.

 

Yeah I know I had the option to re-order a dell.. But I just can't do it. And after all the headphone jack stories and grainy screens (me included) I don't have any faith in Dell quality control. So far, I have read nothing but good things about the HP displays.. they don't have the wxga + screens but apparently when viewing at night, they are almost too bright at full brightness. But that really sounds like a great deal you got. My only point is that a month ago, when I looked at the HP's they were not even remotely competitive with dell price wise. But that has changed dramatically. For the most part, its the 8600 card that is the deal breaker for many.. In my case, I am a light gamer and the 8400 will be ok. I would go for that option on the HP even If I had the choice for a 8600. I really feel better with having the HDMI now.. I won't use it for awhile. But I do plan on getting a new TV with the HDMI. As far as I know, you have to get a XPS M1330 to get a HDMI with Dell. The other thing I don't like about the 1520 is its bulk. Its in the heavier range for 15" notebooks. The HP 6500t is in the middle range and is lighter and thinner then the 1520. The HP high capacity 6 cell is rated much higher battery life then the 1520 with the 6 cell. In fact, I think the HP has much better power management then Dells. I know that 1420 I had did not last worth crap with the 6 cell.

The HP is also made in China so I can only hope its as good as users say.

 

my replacement is now boxing so i hope it is okay.. we'll see if not im in the same boat as you ill send em both back and say the heck with it imo i cant be bothered with all the time on the phone and the lack of my main business laptop.. this sucks imo im crossing my fingers though

 

Just be careful.. As far as I understand it, your option to return/refund ends after 21 days from original shipment date... not from the second shipment date.
Please correct me if I am wrong. The reason I was able to ship both back was because I had overnight on both systems.. The replacement was expedited and overnighted. I canceled the order about 30 minutes after I received the replacement. It did not take long to realize how bad the AUO display was. I remembered I got on the chat just before 12 midnight because I was concerned that the next day would be day 22. But as it was, It was day 19.. a little close for comfort. But normally, had my first shipment been shipped ground, along with the second shipment being sent ground.. it would have been well over the 21 day mark. I don't think it happens too often that someone like myself returns two systems. Believe me, it got dells attention and the apology email I got today explained they were dreadfully sorry that they had not sent the SEC panel as the rep has promised.

Again, please correct me if I am wrong. If I were you I would call a supervisor in CS and ask when your 21 days start. And try to calculate if the replacement system will arrive on time. If not, you might be better off canceling everything right now and starting over or going to another vendor.

 

I have an Vostro 1500 which is the twin of the Inspiron 1520 and it has no graininess or bleed at all.

 

My first WXGA glossy was perfect. No graininess at all. When I received my replacement, the same exact screen was grainy as hell. I think it is based on luck.

 

Good. So i'm not alone here.

@vjm: check your device manager for the screen maker. is it AUO?

 

^^^

I already returned it, so I can't check.

 

If you get the WXGA (truelife or glossy) you get crippled viewing angle problems, and parts of your screen will be washed out - which to my eyes looks far worse than the subtle "graininess"

If you get WXGA+ you get better view angles, but some graininess

If you get WSXGA+ You get the best viewing angle, but some graininess.

I got my WSXGA+ Inspiron today. I can see what they mean by "graininess' but it is subtle - and the text is extremely crisp and sharp. I am amazed at how sharp the text is - I was worried that It would be too small for my 40 year old bad-eyesight, but it is awesome. Even at reduced resolutions (I went down as low as 1024x768) I didnt see much of any bluriness - the text still looked easily crisp enough to use long term (Im a s/w engineer, so I'll be writing a lot of code, and crisp text is important)

Oevrall, Im pleased with the WSXGA+ and its great viewing angles, and sharpness, and very very glad I didnt get the 1280x800, having seen some of those.

 

i have it in my notes from a account manager that i have been extended till 30 days to return one or both of them. i have the case number, the rep's name and extension, and i have it on recorded audio since i called from my main business line i was able to record the conversation and i notified him of this before hand and he is on record as stating he knows he is being recorded.. so i dont think ill have a issue with that.. but as soon as i open it and turn it on ill know which / or none im keeping.. i know exactly what i want to look for now.

 

Can someone remind me where to look to determine the manufacturer of the LCD panel?

 

That's not going to happen. The WXGA screens don't have good viewing but it isn't to the point where parts of your screen will be washed out if you view it dead on. There is always a sweet spot for vertical viewing angles on these LCDs. I would much rather be confined to a more limited sweet spot than have to deal with a screen with graininess/sparkles.

 

You go to:
Control Panel-->System-->Hardware-->Device Manager
You should see a category for something like monitor or screen... Double clicking on that will give you an Item code that can be used to figure out the maker.

 

Yeah, that's pretty much going to be a preference thing. I'd choose the subtle texture of the screen over the pronounced fading, and you'd choose the other situation, but that's just our preferences.

Still a 15 degree vertical viewing angle sucks compared to 45 degrees. With the WSXGA+ the "Sweet spot" is ginormously better than the WXGA

 

I have to agree with that. On my 15" screen, WXGA is more than satisfactory.

However, I know this is a controversial subject, and each person has a personal preference and tolerance for screen resolution.

EDIT: @mytylerj- hmm... my screen definitely isn't washed out. anyways, you can adjust how that looks to you using gamma.

 

Under HardwareID, I get MONITOR\SEC3350 ?

 

if i am correct you have a samsung lcd then

 

That's a samsung, i think? I'm not sure...

 

I can't tell if my screen is grainy or not, so I'm not going to worry about it.

 

Forgot to say that my screen is the WSXGA+. LG model.

 

I lowered the gamma, and upped the contrast very slightly, and wow!

Thanks for the suggestion. The screen looks incredible now. Now it exceeds my expectations. This rocks!

Its like Christmas, at work, lol. I have my door closed. Im still trying to figure out how to get onto the company wireless network. I may have to drag the administrator over here.

 

i got mine yesterday. i do notice graniness, but only on white backgrounds of a realitively large size. other than that, the screen is great

 

that gives me hope!

 

Are these settings Nvidia specific or they are available on Intel cards as well?

Preparing for screen adjustments in advance...

 

Lol. No problem. I'm still convinced that just adjusting these settings will fix the problem for a lot of people who think they have graininess.

In general, its the drivers, and not the card that matters when adjusting these settings. If you have the drivers from the card's maker, it will usually allow you to adjust these settings. If you can't adjust the settings and you really want to, you might have to download other drivers from a site like laptop2go.com

 

Actually I just realised that my Inspion 9300 matte screen is grainy. You can really only tell when you see a white background like when using windows explorer.

Playing games, etc. the screen looks perfect.

But I do not have that on my 700m screen, which is still one of the best screens I have ever seen.