WXGA anti-glare ok?

So far I've picked up that only the Truelife glossy screens have an "issue". From reading the dell service:

So am I correct to assume the anti-glare is ok?

 

I have anti-glare and I love mine, but some people say that the anti-glare screens are so-called, "grainy". Maybe it's because I've never owned a laptop before, but I do not find the anti-glare screen "grainy" or anything, I love it!

 

i have no grainy issues with my anti-glare, matte screen. very crisp and clear.

 

I have not noticed any graininess to my screen either.

 

should I change my screen to the matte? (dell customer service says I can because the wuxga got back ordered)

 

I would say yes. I love being able to actually see my screen when outdoors/in a room with light.

 

I think there will be a riot if everyone finds out that glossy = grainy. I'll be going with anti-glare.

 

I prefer the better contrast and sharper colours on a glossy screen. I've owned both kinds, and it really comes down to preference.. ie there is no 'better' screen.

 

I've had plenty of glossy and matte screens, and I've never experienced "graininess", so I don't buy the "explanation" that ALL glossy screens have a "grainy" character with light backgrounds. I wish I could find a matte screen above WXGA though, because I hate having to move my notebook whenever sunlight hits from the window -- it's like looking into your rear view mirror with a truck's brights behind you.

 

Lol glossy screens don't have anti-glare coating. One of my friends has a higher end latitude wuxga anti-glare screen and the display is awful/grainy/blurry at the highest resolution.

Truelife screens don't have problems.

 

Didn't someone here say all the grain was coming for a coating for the truelife screens?

 

have you been reading the threads in this forum or what? the majority of people with TruLife (aka Glossy) screens have complained of grainiess, esp on the 1520. the 1420 and 1720 dont seem to be as heavily affected.

 

I haven't seen one report of a person with a matte screen with the graininess problem. I've seen dozens of complaints from people with the truelife (glossy) screens complaining of graininess as well as reports of "dirty", "smudged" and "twinkly" screens.

My guess, and this is complete speculation, is that the process to apply the glossy coating has some serious quality control issues. I assume this process is similar to screenprinting- someone (or a machine) swipes a coat to the panel with a squeegy. Cheap panels are likely to get an uneven coat. How that changes the optical properties is an open question.

The best example of this I've seen so far was when someone on this forum pointed out Inspirons being sold on QVC. I watched for a few minutes and saw one of the screens being opened and closed. I could see a definite rippled appearance and the first thing I thought of was a bad screenprint (I took 4 years of graphics arts in highschool).

I'd love to see someone with a grainy truelife take a short video of the screen (moving relative to the camera) and post it on youtube.

 

yes I would like to see a video as well. I'm seriously considering downgrading to the matte anti glare screen.

 

That's it I've decided I'll go with a matte screen,

Reading about gloss screens causing headaches just reaffirmed my decision for the matte.


Also after reading this from digg.com...

Since a matte coating is applied to a gloss screen, that means the screen itself is like that, and matte just lowers the graininess.

So there you go, the screens aren't going to be improved unless Dell changes them completely.

 

So as a conclusion, which one is/are grainy?:

a) 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display
b)15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display with TrueLife
c)15.4" Wide Screen WXGA+ (1440 x 900) Display with TrueLife
d)15.4" UltraSharp™ Widescreen WSXGA+ (1680x1050) TFT Display with TrueLife
?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

Anyway I oredered my vostro with truelife. Hoping for no problems with the screen.

 

Truelife ones are.

 

As a follow up, does anyone know what Dell's return policy is on returning a laptop for a screen swap? (I'm still under 28 days) I love my laptop but the inconsistencies in the glossy 1440 x 900 screen have given me a lot of eye strain that i've never had with a high res screen before. I was thinking of asking for a replacement glossy high res but now I'm wondering what the chances are for switching to a matte screen. Definitely willing to lose real estate and color sharpness for my vision Anyone have any ideas?

 

Ohhhhhhhhhh, and, is it grainy only on highest resolution or any?

 

you can return it no problems.

Do you have a 1420 ?

 

any resolution

Also like gmd said, gloss is harder on your eyes, I've researched a bit and lots of people are reporting it.

That's a third touchdown for me to go for matte.

Screw the color vibrancy if I have to pay for it with headaches, eyestrains and annoying reflections.

 

Here's a couple of interesting pages about LCD manufacturing..

http://auo.com/auoDEV/technology.php?sec=tftProcess&ls=en

http://www.lgphilips-lcd.com/homeContain/jsp/eng/tech/tech210_j_e.jsp

 

I agree on that. (we pay for demolishing our eyes, THAT'S SOMETHING )

 

Good to know, Cyberghost. I do have a 1420 -the screen is an AUO screen as the device mgr tells me (not sure what that means - manufacturer?). Yeah, i'm going to go for the swap.

Also just to reiterate, aside from the screen, I'm very happy with the laptop for all those still considering.

 

Can you (we) change it by yourself(ourselves), if we want with some better screen?

(how much???)

 

btw - the gateway i have has a glossy screen (not my choice). and while i don't notice any grainy-ness, there were wicked reflections trying to work at the airport (sitting by the windows) and on the airplane itself. i was trying to watch a movie and it was very distracting because when i looked at the screen for the most part i just saw a big dumb reflection of me - was very hard to watch the movie.

that is what made me want to get the anti-glare on my 1420 even though i would much prefer the higher resolution.

 

So is the 1280×800 too big for normal usage? I need my 1520 for college and everyone recommended the higher resolution, but now this whole silk screen fiasco is making me reconsider.

 

I find the glossy screens useless for uni or any environment that has flourescent lighting, because it really does reflect a lot!

 

I've been thinking about the whole Glossy vs. Anti-Glare arguement the past few days. I originally ordered with the WSXGA+ for my 1520, and it was due to ship yesterday, now it's pushed back another seven days. I took that as a sign to cancel before it ships and re-order with the anti-glare instead (Dell reps were not able to change my order without canceling).

I stopped by Best Buy this weekend and took a look at some of the lappys they had for sale. The majority had the glossy screen, and the reflections were bad, it was like looking at a mirror, but I guess you have to give a little for shaper colors and better contrast. This was a tough debate for me.

This laptop will mainly be used at the office and school for graduate thesis work. I'll gladly give up real estate to be able to use my notebook under flourescent lights and differing lighting conditions without reflections and headaches.

 

I think 1280x800 is the most optical resolution for 14" screen, would be better if it was 1400x800.

1440x900 is waay too small, it's great for vista aero theme, but a classic theme is so small on that screen.

1440x900 is just right for the 15"

 

I went with my mum a few days ago to a shop selling notebooks. She saw the glossy screen and said i'd better get a matte screen. (My parents use tablet PCs, not sure if that is glossy or matte) I've always wondered to order a Dell with glossy or matte, but i thought i should get matte (even though 90% of the time will be indoors) because i don't want my lights off/curtains pulled while i'm in my room. I guess if it's not grainy then it's a plus.