got my xps m170 in the mail...

opened it up, plugged it in...


and the screen looks like sh!t. man, the light leakage is horrible. i know a little leakage is unavoidable but d@mn...



im about to format it and give more info later today...

 

Got 21 days to return it.

 

i think they started a 15% restocking fee now.

i paid $1871...i think ill play with it some more and then sell it on ebay for more money.

 

I was tempted to be among the first to order a M170, but I was concerned about deteriorating Dell quality control.

And with their new 15% restocking fee for lemons, I held back ordering until product quality improves.

 

There you go, dells best thing and that failed. Im sick of dell...

 

That sucks. If it is really bad, you might be able to argue with them.

 

its a samsung display...

the whites look better then the lg screen on my wuxga 9300 (this one only has a tiny bit of leakage on the bottom). i think the colors on the xps m170's screen look better also, not as dark.

if it didnt have a two inch thick streak of light leakage running the very top, down the middle and bottom it would be perfect.



...going to load up some games now.

 

could we get some pics?

 

Odds are it could be a bad screen but see what dell says. Yes, some pics would be nice.

 

Would you prefer light leakage or sparkles? Sparkles manifest on most LCD displays including the 23" Apple display we have, but the ones I saw in the kiosks were really poor in this respect. I thought Dell had this sorted out because I haven't seen a sparkle or major light leakage thread here or on NBF for about a month.

 

yeah ill try to get some up later.

 

D*mn, that's awful... and inexcusable on Dell's behalf. I kept reading about the "new and improved" 17" screens on the M170. It'll be interesting to see what other M170 owners think about the screen.

The 17" WSXGA+ Sager screens are spectacular. I've seen them on the 8790 and 4791 models. My 5720 has the same screen, as well. I don't understand why Dell won't offer that screen.

Good luck with your situation!!

 

I just ordered the M170 a few days ago. The leakage cant be that bad...can it?

 

heres a pic of the leakage.

the m170 and the 9300 wuxga side by side (the 9300 is on the left in both pics).

 

I would defineitly get that screen changed out, thats awful for a top of the line laptop. I hope when I get mine it's not bad. Dell should replace it. If not simply return it and go with a sager 5720 if Dell won't fix it beacause that looks like something is major wrong, it looks like a $500 laptop instead of a $3000 one. I would call them first thing tomorrow if I was you, but I'm picky. If there is anything wrong with mine, they're fixing it haha or replacing it, and if they choose not to I will simply tell them to take it back and shove it up their butts haha!

 

wow, the new xps support sucks a$$ also. no music...just the same messages over and over...i now know how to do a system restore and change the leds colors.

about 20 minutes now...this morning an hour before hanging up.

 

son of a b....they just disconnected me!

 

Sorry to hear about that doobie but definatly get that lcd replaced.

 

got a hold of an xps rep today, i got connected almost immediately...

told them the deal with the screen and he said they would get me a new one. ill update you guys in a couple days...

 

so the key is to call on a weekend or during more quiet time it seems

 

Doobie, did the rep try to convince you at all that the light leakage is normal, or, did he easily accept your argument?

Hope the replacement unit works out fine for you. Keep us posted.

 

nope, not at all. all he asked me to do was restart the computer and if i could still see the problem.

 

Well, at least they are sending you a new screen, that will fix that problem, and you can enjoy your top of the line gaiming machine!

 

Are you fixing the screen yourself or a tech is coming out or what?

 

i want a dell m140! lol a 14" xps with a 6600 or better gpu is good enough for me!!!

 

The light leakage on your screen looks similar to my XPS Gen 2. I don't think you're going to get much better than that.

 

umm......ok?

 

really? like i said earlier im comparing it to my 9300 wuxga (the same screen) and you can see how bad it is, the difference is huge. i was expecting some leakage but not that much.

...also im sending it in for the replacement screen for those who wanted to know.

 

Doobie, apart from the light leakage, is the screen otherwise fine? How about "sparkles" and how is the brightness? how does it compare to other manufacturers? you say you have had a 9300 wuxga. Have you been perfectly happy with that?

 

Doobie, I am also wondering the same thing. Are you happier with the LG than with the samsung? How are the sparkles on your LG?.....Dell LCD's suck....I am so upset I have an xps M170 on the way and it may have the same problem.....please update us on the outcome of your LCD change.

 

s1mon and Leo93

the m170 wuxga screen i have is made by samsung. the 9300 wuxga screen is by lg. in my opinion the whites look much better on the samsung. some of the colors seem better as well but i think it because the lg's screen is darker. if it wasnt for the leakage it would be excellent. personally i prefer the lg, i like the fact that it is darker.

sparkles....they dont bother me at all. i dont even notice them. i still dont know what the big fuss is about. maybe its because i cant see them, or maybe i dont know exactly what they are and that i dont know what im looking for. the "shimmering, metalic dust, anti-glare coating"....what!?!


the 9300 is excellent. i only got the m170 because i paid under $1900 (aafes) at the time. with all the ram from newegg and extra stuff my 9300 (2 months old) cost almost the same. i was planning on keeping the 9300 for a couple years but i think the m170 with the same specs, "special" tech support and the go 7800gtx is a better deal with more options and will last me a little longer.

 

Doobie, sorry about all the questions being fired at you, but i hope to get an xps m170 soon and would like to know as much about it as possible before i order one.

what is your view of its build quality (except for the screen of course)? how does it compare to your 9300 and other brands like HP and Sony? Is it sturdy and solid. Do the palm rest or keyboard for instance yield to pressure at all? I am very fussy over these issues. I know you haven't had it for long but is there anything else about it that you dislike?

Many thanks.

 

i dont know about or have any experience with any other laptops except for the 9300. the m170 feels exactly like the 9300 except for the hinges on the lcd, they seem different, stronger maybe. i guess the laptop feels solid, although on an even surface it wobbles a little (not sure if its the little rubber things on the bottom or what, my 9300 does this also). the keyboard and palm rests will flex if you push on it but with normal use that wouldnt be a problem.

i hate the lights (i keep those things off), and the back of the lcd with the polished metal and "xps" everywhere. i prefer the simple look and plastic of the 9300.

 

Exactly, those lights would drive me crazy! But then if you disable them it is just a waste. I could only imagine how much those lights cost and how much battery power they consume.

 

The XPS line of laptops arent meant for battery life.. So what is your point

 

Dont get me started delvien. Maybe it applies to some people.

 

I dont think it applies to anyone If you use a Xps Gen2 playing games while on battery, you deserve to be kicked in the teeth for being so incredibly
stupid.

 

So why is it a laptop then. Laptop = portibility

 

Ummm, I enjoy the battery life of the XPS!! No, I don't play games on bettery, but I know I have a friend that likes to... ummm.... conduct his "business" and still play WOW!! And I get a good 3.25 hours out of my battery (lights off), so that isn't too shabby there Delvien. That's why I like the XPS and it's pentium m, best of both worlds

 

You're in the Dell forum talking about Dell laptops. In order for it to be considered a laptop computer it has to survive on battery for what I'm glad to report is 1hr 35min gaming or 2hr 25min doing other stuff on one battery. Remember, this isn't Alienware. You don't need to lug a car battery with your mobile desktop just to make it work for more than 15 minutes anymore. Welcome to Dell.

 

Darn..........


I wish I had known about this problem with Dell xps m170 screen. I had ordered one several weeks ago and still waiting for it to come in the mail.

When I get the laptop, if it is this bad then I will definitlely return and not mess with Dell computers again.

I paid over $3000 for this xps m170 and I am expecting top of the line quality. This is my first computer from Dell and it is extremely dissapointing that the quality is not as reliable as some people are describing. Hopefully, I will get a good XPS m170 but it seems like my hope is fast fading after hearing all these negative reviews about this particular Dell computer.

I am definitely considering getting the Toshiba Qosmio now.

What I am worry about now is the 15% restocking fee ...outch

 

jus get like a dell 9300 or an xps gen 2....wherever u can find it...and seriously...the 6800 and 6800 ultra are STILL GOING to play more latest games at high settings after a few months...and u can always install a 7800 gtx in a xps gen 2

 

the 9300, gen 2/m170 all have the same screens, so it isnt just the m170 with a jacked up screen. dont worry, just wait and see...

ill find out about my replacement screen soon...

:dell:

 

Yes i know , and i own a Dell, the only computers i buy are dells.

It is my firm belief that having a GAMING laptop is so you can carry it around to a friends house, or a Gaming cafe easily, since Desktops arent easy to packup and go.. The point of the XPS is not to play GAMES while on battery. Why do that? unless you only play a game for an hour or an hour and a half. In that case you shouldnt have bought that 3k+ laptop. If you bought an XPS for battery life, good job you wasted your money. But if you bought it for the portability and the style, and being able to say, My laptop runs that game at high settings. Then good for you. My point was, who cares what the lights do to the battery life. Thats not what you bought the XPS for.

 

MatthewNg,
The Toshiba Qosmio is way overpriced. I also almost bought one. Altough its LCD is probably one of the best ones I've seen...the other components are not that great. The disk's speed is 5400 rpm and the video card is the Nvidia 6600. Thus you will be paying $2600+tax or more just for the screen....you can get something else with better components for that amount of money

 

update...

well, called dell to track my service call and it seems my m170 was misplaced. dell confirmed it was recieved at their repair facility but cant find exactly where its at.

the confusion started when they ended up sending me two boxes to send the m170 back. its kind of weird because they sent the second box after they recieved the first one (the one with the xps in it). when i called and asked about the second box they said dont worry about it and just follow the tracking number on the first box. now, it seems the original box was cancelled out by the second box and all the service call numbers are screwed up because of it.

im waiting on a xps rep to call me back...to be continued

 

AMEN,
I23...out

 

Once again another member who gets carried away after reading all these negative posts regarding light leakage or sparkles...

That light leakage on your screen is NORMAL. All notebook screens have it. My XPS Gen 2 has that same amount. This topic has been rehashed so many times it's almost childish. I can guarantee the screen you replace your original one with will have the same light effect. And honestly, how much usage of your laptop will require you working in the dark? Is the lighter screen bottom going to prevent you from seeing what you are doing?

In all honesty, your laptop is fine. Stop being anal about minute details and enjoy it! And if the product doesn't meet your high standards, order from another company.

 

No! Wait! Do not return that m170...
I got mine after much hassel with the customer support.... and it is the-No compromises DTR.
My system is running perfectly and is Optimized thanks to the amazing article posted in the dummy section.
And the screen...Ahhh...the screen, one word- PERFECT.

 

once again another member that doesnt read posts, assumes he knows everything and then replys with a useless post.

light leakage was anticipated...i have a 9300 wuxga with some. if the light leakage on my m170 is NORMAL, the 9300 screen would look the same and this would not be an issue. you cant see the majority of leakage from the pictures. i told dell about the problem and they told me to send it in for replacement. high standards? this is my forth computer from dell. not once did you see anything from me talking about any standards.

and honestly...if you dont like treads on sparkles or leakage dont reply in them. leave your crap over at notebookforums where it belongs.