Vostro Light Leakage / Dell Replacement Option?

Just received my Vostro 1400 yesterday, and while everything about the computer is solid, I can't shake the issue with light leakage on my screen. While it isn't as bad as some who have posted, it is noticeable on a black screen and when watching DVDs. I also notice just a bit of a wash-out of colors on the bottom of the screen versus the top. I'm on a Samsung screen. [Sorry can't provide pictures...I don't have a digital camera, I may try to post pictures from my 1.3MB webcam later]

I don't have the graininess, and the clarity is good, but it's that light leakage bugging me. Even in comparison with HP machines at the local electronics store seems to indicate that HP screen have less light leakage than my Vostro.

If there's anymore feedback on the light leakage issue, I'm welcome to hear it.

Anyways, for those that have tried the laptop replacement option from Dell, were you able to get them to send out a replacement laptop and still be able to keep your old one for a time to compare? Afterwards, I would send one back, but I want to be able to see if another laptop has the leakage issue, at least to the degree mine does. While I know most LCDs have leakage, I can infer that the degree of leakage does depend on each individual screen.

 

I had a lightbleed problem...I had dell replace my system. Just go on chat and ask for a system replacement.

 

Did you have to send your old one back first before they sent you a replacement? I would rather not send mine back then have Dell send me a laptop with a worse screen.

 

no they send you a new one first as long as you tell them thats all you will accept... is your screen a sec.. if so its not a samsung but its a seiko epson just fyi..

and from what i was told today by escalations and also the gentleman i spoke with from dell corporate they will be primarily supplying the auo branded screens from here out in the vostro series.. if you can deal with a small amount of light leakage imo i would def not chance a auo screen we had 2 of them they are prob the worst looking screens i have ever laid my eyes on as far as color goes... the whites are so yellow .. they were awful.. this does not mean they will only use auo he said but that is now their primary manufacture for the vostro's.. in fact he pulled up replacment part numbers for the 1500.. in the wxga screen the only part number listed was the auo1004. the lpl and sec were no longer on the list...

 

what if you go with the wsxga+ (1440x900) screen?

do you still get the leakage and other problems..

 

from what i have seen the wsxga is the best of the overall quality of the screens dell has, they usually have no or very very minimal light leakage or grain to them also the best viewing angle as well

 

What about the WUXGA on the 1700's? Any issues with these?

 

again not any i have heard of or seen yet

 

Ok, I will try to see if I can get them to send me a replacement laptop without sending the one I already have back. I guess I'll just have to be adament about it.

My screen is actually a SEC3157, and with a google search it seems to come up as a Samsung (Samsung Electronics Corporation) and while some have stated it's a Seiko-Epson, I have heard far more individuals referring to it as a Samsung screen.

I have heard some bad stories about the AUO screens, but I'm willing to chance it as long as I don't have to give up my SEC screen. Despite the annoying light leakage, the colors are crisp and it is very bright (to the point where I find it excessive).

In truth, I would not even bother with a "repair" or a "system exchange" as the tech support suggested. I would have considered a Macbook (which does not seem to have much light leakage issues) or an LED screen if the price was not so high. Considering the specs of the laptop and the price I'm not too inclined to taking too many risks for a "better" screen.

 

dell themselves told me the sec screens are seiko epson not samsung

 

Interesting, if it really is Seiko Epson I expect to hear it more often than Samsung, but I guess it might be a misconception. It doesn't matter too much regardless (unless you have an AUO), but from the posts around the forums, SEC feedback seems to be hit and miss. It's better than the AUO, but I actually have heard far less complaints from LG owners.

I just can't get over the fact that it seems LCDs on the other major manufacturers laptops don't seem to have such big LCD issues. Other than the LCD, I am completely satisfied with the Vostro, but the screen is probably the biggest component of a laptop.

 

Posted Elsewhere, delete this post.