Vostro 1700 screen is awful! need advice

Just received a Vostro 1700 I ordered on behalf of my step-dad.

Specs:

210-19026 V1700 CORE 2 DUO T7250 2.00GHz
230-10113 V1700 17" WXGA+ (1440 x 900)
230-10115 V1700 Matte Jet Black with 2.0 MP camera
370-13124 3072 MB 667 MHz Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM (1x1024 MB + 1x2048)
400-13602 Hard Drive 160GB Serial ATA (5400RPM
429-12684 DVD+/-RW Drive 8x
450-11466 90W AC Adapter - 2 wire
451-10463 Primary 9-cell 85WHr Li-Ion Battery
490-10664 128 MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
530-11703 UK Modem Cable and Adapter Internal V.92 Data, Fax, Voice Functions
555-11082 Dell™ Wireless 1390 802.11b/g Mini-PCI Card EUR


Everything about the laptop is great and perfectly suited to what my step-dad will be using it for.....apart from the screen.

It is a AUO3587 and is one of the worst laptop screens I have seen in recent years. Loads of light bleeding, extremely bad viewing angles and the colours are really dull and bland.

This is very dissapointing especially since I got the laptop and supplied it to him.

He has made minor comments about the screen, I can tell he is not happy even tho he hasn't specifically said so.

I will be phoning Dell about this as I only got it about 4 days ago so well within the return policy.

Just really wondering how to approach them, I have been reading that the Samsung screens seem to perform a lot better on this laptop - so could request this.

When ordering I didn't see an option for TrueLife screen so just went with the basic..... wish I had the option as TrueLife's clearly make a difference.

Does anyone think it is possible if I moaned enough for this screen to be replaced with a TrueLife - even by paying the extra £20 or so I would of paid if I ordered it on the website?

Either way - I get a good screen for the Vostro or it goes back - just want this process to be as painless as possible.

Any help on this would be great.

Dave

 

When you call Dell ask them nicely for an LCD replacement =), and I would not request a Samsung they are generally lackluster... I had 1 in my 1520.. got that replaced with an LG which is 100 times better Good Luck!.

 

Yeah, that was my original thought but then again I might just get another AUO which I want to avoid but I understand your point.

This laptop was bought through the company I work for so I will be phoning business support and would have thought I would have more leverage to make them change it for a better screen.

However I can forsee a long telephone conversation with someone in Asia and I very frustrating language barrier.... especially when they start asking me to do tests.

I have a LG in my M1530 - beautiful screen, side by side with the Vostro - the difference is staggering..... makes me feel guilty.

 

Your conversation may not be as length as you think =) since you are still within your customer satisfaction period you can just ask them to replace the LCD.. they should not give you any trouble.

 

Nevermind a replacement LCD - send the whole system back and ask them for money for your troubles for a new system. If they don't budge then tell them to come pick it up. The last 2 out of 3 systems I got from Dell came with a terrible screen. I still love the Dell laptops and I'm going to buy another one, but they need to get the message that they can't keep shipping these horrid LCD's.

 

Dave, you're in the UK right? Be careful, over here we only have a 7-day window to return the items, unlike the US which has 21 days.

My advice is to call them as soon as possible. If you're still in the 7-day grace period, you will have absolute leverage and will be able to sort out your problems easily.

After the 7-day period, they will still replace the screen, but it's better to be safe rather than sorry, right? If you have any problems, just say you will send back the system and shop elsewhere. Some users in this forum have got huge discounts this way, but having a good system is more important than discounts.

Unfortunately Dell will not allow anyone to pick the components, so there is a chance that you may get an AUO screen again.


In conclusion, don't settle for the screen you have now. If the replacement screen turns out to be worse, just send that back instead. Either way, you can't lose.

 

Dont knock the matte 1440 x900 Samsungs - I got my AUO3587 replaced with a Samsung due to dead pixels and its wicked - blacks are black, whites are white, very little blacklight bleed, text and lines are sharp and the viewing angles are better. I wasn't that disappointed in the quality of the AUO but the Samsung is much better. It's an SEC3258 - I was told at the time that they'd phased out the AUO in favour of the Samsung.

 

My Samsung was Glossy lol, and it was sooo grainy.. LG pwns lol.

 

Thanks for your response guys.

I have been considering that but I don't think my step-dad will want the trouble as he waited 3 weeks for this laptop and probably wont want to wait that length again, however I wont tell Dell that - hopefully threatening will do the trick!

Although I could probably convince him as he will be looking at this screen for years, so what is a few weeks.

Laptop arrived on Thursday 28th Feb so still got time.

Is the 7 days window - within 7 working days or just 7 days?

Also as long as I phone within an log a call within that period my claim will be valid and can send the laptop back within a reasonable time if I aint happy?

Tech support is only open mon - fri so need to wait till tomorrow, gonna plan my line of attack today.

Yeah I read your post, thats what got me thinking - ask for replacement and hopefully get a Samsung..... tbh anything is better than this screen.

Has anyone got or seen the TrueLife 1440x900 display on the Vostro - any good?

 

Distance Selling Regulations of 2000 (UK) - You have an automatic right to cancel the contract "seven working days beginning with the day after the day on which the consumer receives the goods."

So as long as you call them before the 10th of March, you will have absolute leverage, and will be able to return it without questions. Of course, Dell hates returns because they don't want to lose a sale, so they will do pretty much anything to keep you as a customer. And yes, you just need to call them for this to work.

But don't worry too much about this, they will still replace your screen even after the grace period is over. I just like to be sure.


As for the issue of Truelife screens, I have seen both and there is no noticable difference in image quality. Matte screens are actually better for older people. Having Truelife is more about showing off and having a "shiny" screen; the increase in brightness and contrast is too small to really notice.


P.S. I'm not sure about this, but the replacement screen/laptop may be refurbished (i.e. not brand new), make sure to ask them when you call. Also ask them to send a technician if it's a screen replacement.

Good luck man!

 

No long off the phone with Dell. The guy I got was actually ok, he understood the situation and I could get my point across. I made him well aware I was within my 7 days return period so there was no debate there.

After quite a bit of holding and transfering I was finally told that they will not replace the screen as there is no technical problem with it.

However they will give a full refund and arrange for collection of the laptop.

I would have rather the replacement screen to minimize fuss for my step-dad however after speaking with him he seemed happy that the issue is being resolved.

I will take an Acronis image of the laptop as it is all setup (with our own Vista and programs etc) and just re-image the new Vostro - back to where he was in 30 - 60 minutes I reakon which aint bad.

I now have to wait for the confirmation e-mail from Dell and then I can re-order. It will basically be the exact same laptop except a different screen....which leads me to the question - which one?

The Truelife on my XPS is stunning and far superior so feel I would be justified at going for that, don't think my step-dad was a fan of the matte display in any case.

Has anyone got experience of a Truelife 1440x900 display on the Vostro 1700?

And thanks for all your help guys, made me clearer on what to say to Dell which helped get this situation resolved.