Really Bad Light Leakage on Inspiron 630m (XPS M140)

Got this about a week ago, the Inspiron 630m (which is similar to the XPS M140). The screen is without the TrueLife option.

Am I just being paranoid, or is the light leakage on the screen really, really bad? I'm thinking of returning it for a full refund. From what I've read, it seems like all the Inspiron 630ms (or the XPS M140s) are cursed with this lousy screen.

 

Wow, that's aweful. We have one and it doesn't look like that at all. I'd exchange it.

 

That is, contact Dell asap to get that replaced. That is just awful
Good Luck!

Nick

 

Ours definitely has light leakage at the bottom, but certainly not that bad. Take a look at what I get

 

Both the original display and replacement display (both Samsung 3157) I got have just as much light leakage. There seems to be 2 manufacturers (the other one is QDS) that Dell is using but only 1 part number, so it's a crapshoot when it comes to which one you get. FYI, these are the TRUELIFE display, which are probably only $25 more because it's just a glossy coat slapped over a anti-glare coat, which also causes the display to look grainy/sparkly.

Second screen has a dead pixel right smack in the middle that can be seen all the time, so Dell is sending yet another screen (most likely another scrappy Samsung).

Comming from a flawless 700m screen this one just plain sucks.

 

Yeah definitely get it exchanged or something.

That's pretty bad. I'd hate to be in your shoes right now. Just make it clear with Dell that you're really upset about it, and they should boost you up on everything like overnight shipping, and stuff like that.

 

jijau,

May you tell use the model number of your screen. You can use PowerStrip to figure it out or just right click on your desktop ~> Graphics Properties ~> Information ~> Notebook tab, it's under "serial number"

Thanks

 

What you gonna do with the model number?

Check your own?

 

Uhm, Dell has a habit of using different display manufacturers, another model may have less light leakage, search and read up on the whole XPS Gen 2 Samsung vs. LG fiasco when it comes to display quality.

 

I would call them and get it replaced with the briteview even if you have to pay the extra $25

 

Mine has light leakage similar to abaxter's. It doesn't bother me though. No bad pixels at all, which I'm happy about.

The thing I don't like about the screen is that the colors seem to be washed out (compared with my desktop's Sony flat screen), and the screen is picky about the viewing angle (especially in the vertical plane). I wouldn't want it for my everyday desktop screen but for a laptop I'm satisfied with it.

 

That's bad light leakage. For sure send that back, tell them to upgrade you to BrightView for your troubles.

 

I agree with Momo...call them and tell them due to having to shipping it back they should cover that cost for the upgraded screen. If they tell you "no" tell them you want to escalate to the manager and keep going up the chain until they get it resolved.

 

Heck, just call up the CEO. I would Haha.

Anything so far on talking to Dell about this screen yet?

 

(Off-topic)

Well the only reason I said that is because I do it for work...and yes I have went up that far...not for professional reasons, but for business. Was kinda cool.

 

Pretty much my experience exactly. So far I'm more disappointed by the viewing angle than glare (turn up the brightness, it really does help) or leakage/sparkles/dead pixels. To be fair though, the specs on dell's website (somewhere) does state the angles and they're definitely worse than the 15" ultrasharp screens (though on par with the 15" WXGA).

If you turn up the brightness, it helps with the viewing angles (and glare!). But I wouldn't try to watch a DVD with a lot of dark scenes, at least not with a couple of other folks. Even crowded around it, we couldn't see stuff during some scenes. Ah, well, I do enjoy surfing the web on it and writing up papers on the couch. So can't complain too much!

EDIT: Silly question: What is the XPS bag for that comes in the box? Is it for the power adapter and such? This is my first laptop, so I'm not up on the accessories. My most recent computer was a desktop I built myself, so it's been awhile since I went retail.

 

What laptop do you currently have right now? I'm a bit confused.

Plus whats a 'sparkle'? lol

I've been mostly building my own machines too, I could build a laptop too, but I don't have the time and I'm not sure if Im ready to be building laptops just yet due to the nature its different from building a desktop. (heat issues are even more important)

 

sparkles is a word notebook communities have sort of derived to describe the phenomenon of Dell screens (seems quite specific to Dell for whatever reason) in which the screen has a sort of sparkle effect (I think it sort of looks like a mild frost on the screen as well) and is most noticeable on bright white backgrounds but not visible on black.

 

The sparkle looks like sun hitting off water on your monitor, just not that bad

 

that is correct, however most 17" LG lcds for laptops suffer from this. So even the sager 5720 suffers from this, because they use the same lcd.

 

LOL

Ok, I got it. haha

 

Interesting. Sparkles sound nEaT

 

Maybe I can stick my laptop on the top of the tree and have it be my star!

 

how do they swap it out?

do they send you a new screen or do you kiss your new laptop goodbye for awhile?

 

you can tell dell that you are able to make repairs yourself, and ask for a screen replacement kit.

 

I am happy again, I got my laptop today!

already formatted it and reinstalled it, etc.

I am on it right now!

 

Congats Firebretha,

Have fun on your new lappy.

 

I have the M140. Not too worried about "sparkles." More like graininess on white backgrounds, but I've seen worse on cheapo LCDs. I'm more annoyed about the viewing angles and the washed out colors (on the lighter shades). I guess I could try to go in and mess about with the color display, but I've just been too busy with work and school to think about it.

And just to clarify, I was set to buy a 6000 with the ultrasharp, but decided I wanted something a little smaller and lighter (and newer). Don't regret my purchase, but can't really use the M140 as much for "entertainment" as I thought I might.

My last desktop was the first one I built from scratch (as opposed to just upgrading). It's so much easier than I imagined, but I still get the hebeejeebies if I'm in there without an anti-static wriststrap.

I'm not even going to think about laptops. Just about destroyed my Dad's old Dell when I took it apart. Good thing it was already fried after being doused in water. Well, dripped on was more like it. Not too hardy, that one.

 

Yeah laptops are a different case when it comes to building one or upgrading one.

But you gotta learn sometimes dont ya?

 

I decided to return the notebook for a full refund (they just picked it up this morning), as from what I've read, it seems that 'almost' all the Inspiron 630ms are plagued with this problem.

Inspiron 630m (M140) TL Has Samsung Screen (Grainy/Sparkles). Which Does Yours Have?

Most probably a replacement will not be any better (I'm not willing to take the risk). Maybe I'll just get a Thinkpad or something.

In my case, turning up the brightness just makes the light leakage worse.

 

Sorry to hear that, great thing I didn't get a 630m, I was so close to getting one too!