Truelife, how reflective it is?

Hello you all! I've been browsing this thread for quite some time now, and it's only now that I've finally decided that I need to post.

First of all, I ordered my first Dell laptop 2 days ago, here are the specs:

Inspiron 6400
Core 2 Duo T5500 (1.66 Ghz, 2mb)
15.4 WSXGA+ Ultrasharp with Truelife
80 GB 7200 rpm
2 Gb RAM 533 Mhz
9 cell battery
ATI x1400

I will be running mostly Ubuntu linux on it, I'll not game a lot, and the 1680x1050 resolution is the bare minimum I could go for--I'm a computer programmer, and usually I need to reference 3-4 sources besides the window where I'm typing the source code, so I need to have everything visible at the same time.

Anyway--I strayed a bit from the topic, and the topic is the Truelife. I've read some controversial materials on the web about how reflective these screens are.

So, my question to you guys is: how is this screen behahaving when used in a well-lit environment, can you see what's on the screen, or all you can use it is for mirror?

Thanks!

 

You will want to control your lighting depending where you set up. Some people have no problems with the reflections but others climb the wall.

Opinions are like, well opinions. Check it out when you get it, you have the 21 day return if needed.

Enjoy!

 

Yeah, I don't understand why these screens are so reflective. Does more reflective = better display quality???

 

It makes the color look deeper and the blacks blacker. It's supposed to be good for watching movies.

I sit with my back to a bank of open windows and the glare would drive me nuts. I stuck with matte for my new screen.

 

I had an e1505 with the truelife coating and now I have a T60 with a matte screen. I prefer that matte coating, the biggest difference for me is using the machine on battery. With the e1505 the display would turn into a mirror as I turned down the brightness. I don't have that problem on my T60. The e1505 is not bad as long as you run it at full brightness and are not working in direct light. As stated earlier, it's largely personal preference. Truelife will give 'nicer' picture for movies. A glossy screen will help with color saturation.

 

I have the glossy screen and have lights on behind me all the time. The glare (I really don't have a glare at all) is not a problem.

 

I like the glossy screens but the ones Dell using on the TrueLife screen has way to much glare. The glare was a problem for me. My vote is to stay away from TrueLife until they get a low glare screen.

 

using it indoors is not an issue. outdoors.... go matte.

 

I agree. I have no problems with it indoors. but as soon as sunlight hits it you cant see anything.

 

I would consider the Latitude D820 as well. I believe that is a 15.4 screen with 1920x1200 resolution. Also it is matte.

 

This is a matter of opinion and everyone has there say about it. The one thing I have to say is the True Life Ultra Bright is absolutely colors are brighter and movies look really good. Glare is manageable. At my desk I have a desktop which is my primary computer. And of to my right off a side table is a my laptop. And when i face my laptop, behind me there is a bank of windows. During the day glare is not an issue but when it gets sunny, I tend to close the blinds because you can see the outside reflecting off the screen. There are advantages and disadvantages you just need to weigh them.