LCD: LED vs CCFL Backlighting - Info Inside

I have been pondering whether my Studio 1537 came with a LED backlit screen since Dell didn't include a Centrino 2 sticker although all of my laptop hardware meets the req. for Centrino 2. Who knew what else Dell could pull?

I decided to fire up my Studio 1537, Inspiron E1505, and Mini 9 to do a comparison with the LCD backlight on full power with Notepad maximized (lots of white).

The E1505's LCD was about a year old and is CCFL. The Mini 9 and Studio 15 are brand new and both were advertised to have LED backlighting.

The E1505 looked dim and yellow compared to the Studio 15's CRISP white color, while the Mini 9 had an almost purple tint to the white screen. I work with white light a lot and can say the E1505's LG CCFL was around 4000-4300K for color temperature while the Studio 15 was more around 5800K and the Mini 9 at 6200K or slightly higher.

The problem with white LED's is that they have a shorter lifespan (~20,000 hours) compared to red, blue, and green (usually 100,000 hours). This translates to noticeable decrease in white light output after 2.3 years of non-stop 24/7 usage.

Another major difference I observed is that the CCFL at max brightness is equivalent to the LEDs at about 40-50% brightness!

 

I wasn't totally sure what you meant as I don't know what different color temps really mean (I just randomly pick whatever looks right in my LCD settings on that option haha)...

But what does a Centrino 2 sticker have to do with the LCD?

 

I forgot to mention that the Studio 15 has a Samsung display, the Mini 9 has an AU Optics, and the E1505 is LG.

The color temperature refers to how bright tungsten burns at different temperatures. 4300K is like most HID lighting used on cars with a slight tint of yellow, while 5800K is basically what most white LEDs are (a white white light) while 6200K and higher starts to show a tint of blue/purple, similar to what Cadillac uses on some of their HID lighting. I believe they can make CCFL produce light in the 6500K+ range, since they do it for indoor fluorescent lighting. I'd say 4300K is more like a "warm" white, while 5800-6200 is "cool" white. Unfortunately you cannot easily determine this by looking at one screen. You MUST put them side by side for an easy comparison. LED vs CCFL? LED wins hands down IMHO.

The Centrino 2 sticker refers to Dell mis-labeling their Centrino 2 Studio 15 laptops as Centrino 1. My Studio 1537 is equipped with a Core 2 Duo P8400, with the Intel PM45 chipset, and Intel 5100 WiFi card - all meeting/exceeding Centrino 2 requirements. Dell even advertises it as a Centrino 2 laptop but ships them with Centrino 1 stickers. I wasn't sure if they were going to give me a CCFL display when I ordered WLED since it would be easy to try and fool customers.

 

nice info but a bit unfair comparison between E1505 and Studio 1537.
My XPS M1530 WXGA screen was replaced with LG-Phillips CCFL from crappy grainy Samsung CCFL.
LG screen is about 40% brighter than Samsung. Yeah, it really hurts my eyes.
LG white is whiter, while Samsung white is bit yellowish.

Technically LED screen will be brigther than CCFL screen.
But i think it will be nice if we can compare latest spec LG CCFL with Samsung LED.

 

Your information is very nice, but I have to disagree on the brightness. Yes, I do agree that technically LED will be brighter than CCFL screen, but it won't beat it by 40%. Don't forget the CCFL technology has evolved for quite sometimes, and it is making the way for the first generation LED.

I did compare my M1530 with LED on M1330 and I didn’t see the different in brightness at all; however, LED on M1330 will produce better black and better white like you said. The LED white color is a little bluish like you mention.

I never see either LED on M1530 or Studio 15, so I can’t really comment on it.

 

merlin, what LCD manufacturer did you get for your WXGA screen?

 

I just compared the brightness from my LG CCFL with the AUO LED and Samsung LED. Both LEDs were brighter than the CCFL. For kicks and giggles, I compared my Samsung 42" LCD HDTV (CCFL) to the Mini 9. The Mini 9's AUO LED backlight was much brighter and had a crisper white than the Samsung CCFL LCD. I agree that not all CCFL or LED is created equal, but I'd pick LED over CCFL based on the longer lifespan of LED lighting. I can detect a decrease in brightness within 1-2 years of infrequent usage of CCFL LCD screens.

 

I have CPT141F. I used to have LG screen, and this CPT offers better white than LG; however, LG has better view angle though. As far as the brightnees, I think both of them are on par with each other.

I have seen bad Samsung and good Sumsung too. I think it depends on the panel.

 

Oh, a CPT panel. Are you from UK (or Europe)?

Most of M1530s for USA/Asia Pacific (that build in Dell factory in Malaysia), will get Samsung screen.
Samsung is the main LCD supplier.

Now there is Samsung V2 screen. This new Samsung is far better than the first batch (grainy ) for M1530.
Samsung V2 has zero grains, brighter and clearer but the white is still a bit yellowish.

Generally Dell spec LCD panels have lower quality (cheaper?) than other notebook manufacturers.
For example, LG screen is a Toshiba is nicer than Dell’s LG screen.

 

Okay, I agree with you about LEDis a better technology then CCFL, and I would pick LED for my next purchase too. Don't you think that HDTV will usually brighter than LED? I look at the spec and most HDTV offers st least 300 cd/m2, and some of them offer up to 500cd/m2.

I don't think CCFL will fade that fast. If you say like 5-6 years, I would agree with you.

 

Metro,

Do me a favor and confirm that the LED notebooks have 15 individual levels or steps of brightness compared to the non-LED CCFL notebook.

Are there 15 levels of brightness in the CCFL display notebook?

 

I am in USA, and my computer is made in Malaysia. Dell will give your anything that they have in stock. I don't think Dell has lower LCD quality than other manufactures. I have a lot of HPs tablet with bad screens. I compare Dell Inspiron 1525 with Samsung screen with HP and Acer, and I don't see any different between them! Figure that!

Yes, my previous LG had some yellowish on the white color, but other colors looks fine to me when I compare the screen with other laptops like HP and Sony CR series.

 

I'll have to check later today when I can access my laptop, but IIRC the quick-set shows a lot of bars/settings for my Studio 15 LED display. On the CCFL E1505, it didn't have as many levels to reach "full brightness".

That's true - my HDTV is pretty bright when you watch TV but on the computer setting (I use it with my Media Center PC) it stays fixed and isn't nearly as bright as my Mini 9 or Studio 15.

The E1505 is about 2.5+ years old but the screen died in the middle of last year. I got a replacement from Dell for free under warranty and now it is starting to go dim again. There are blotchy dark spots in the corners (and has done that since it was brand new) and the max brightness isn't as good as new. They should last a good 5+ years but the brightness seems to diminish as early as 1 year depending on how often you use it.

 

metroplex

You might have a bad panel on your E1505, and the dark spot at the corners is imperfection on the panel. I used to have it, but I asked Dell to replace the panel for one of my notebooks. I did compare a year old notebook with brand new out of the box notebook, and I don't see the different between those screens. I see brand new computers everyday at my work. I always have things to compare, so you don't be surprised where I get so many comparison.

Computer mode on your HDTV might have something to do with the brightness or backlight on your TV. Your laptop will crank out 300 dc/m2 max, but HDTV always goes higher. One more thing is HDTV can't offer sharpness and saturated color like computer screen. If you want to compare your laptop screens, you better compare them with big screen monitor.

 

This was the SECOND panel on the E1505 (replaced by Dell under warranty). I have no interest in getting it replaced again since it would be out of pocket and probably cost more than the laptop is now worth However, this is not unusual since I see similar decrease in brightness with the other CCFL LCDs I use.

The brightness of the CCFL just doesn't compare with LED when you put them side by side. I have three other CCFL monitors (desktop) at home and they pale in comparison. Maybe you're just lucky with your CCFL LCD displays but I honestly can't see any benefit to buying CCFL (even my HDTV on full brightness in TV mode, not PC mode) over LED at this point. The white light from the LED backlight is superior and lasts longer than CCFL (retains its color temperature and brightness longer).

 

somms: The CCFL LCD on the E1505 only has 7 brightness settings while the LED LCD's on the Mini 9 and Studio 1537 both have 15 brightness settings.

 

Cool..thnx for confirming

 

OLEDs will be the next big thing when manufacturers go green. Fluorescents usually develops a yellow tinge when it ages... like home lighting. Testers compared battery life between CCFL and LED and found no significant difference between the two.

 

I agree, but OLEDs have been touted as the "next big thing" for over 4 years now. I hope to see them soon at affordable prices. The viewing angle is spectacular.

 

in 5 years well will all Have OLED Laptop displays these will improve battery life significantly.

On a side note to the OP.

I agree and I am also suspicious of DELL mis marking Centrino 2 systems, Could they also accidentally stick in a regular non LED Display in a system at the Same resolution?

my new system being built has this

Item Number
Processor Branding 330-0255 Intel Centrino Label

my system is clearly Centrino 2 class even have the Intel WifI card

Processor Branding 310-8319 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Label

Processor Branding 330-0254 Intel Centrino 2


keep in mind this is the same system being rebuilt playing around with DELL's wacky site.

I will be fine with a Core 2 Duo Label or a Centrino 2 label


But if it shows up with a plain old Intel Centrino Label I am sending it back or having them replace it or have a tech fix it


Imagine if you bought a V8 Mustang and the chrome decals on the side said V6.