New p6831fx, crummy LCD?

Howdy,

Just bought a P-6831FX on Sunday, and while this little machine has been a pleasure for sure I've noticed its LCD is...sub-par. Even compared to my low end 19 inch desktop LCD, the viewing angle is terrible and there is significant backlight bleed.

Viewing the laptop head on, with it tilted to perfectly align with my viewing - it looks fine. Blacks suffer a bit, but I'm mostly using this for gaming anyway and that looks fine. But when I browse dark websites or watch DVDs I can definitely notice significant bleed.

My question, since I know people have reported these issues with their FX's already, is if mine is anything out of the ordinary (ie, should I return it to BB and get a replacement)?

Unfortunately, I'm at work at the present so I don't have a screenshot to show - but the backlight pattern (which has to be viewed on a black screen) has this area in the middle of the screen (kind of like a big, blurry vertical column) of bleed and bleed at the sides. Is this typical for this monitor, or is it excessive?

I can learn to live with it if it's typical, and I'm leaning toward it being the case (my girlfriend's inexpensive Compaq has similar bleed patterns) buuuut, on the off chance that it's not I'd love some input into whether this is worth worrying about further.

Otherwise, love the laptop! Thanks!

 

Do us a favor and run Everest on your machine to see which manufacturer/model LCD you have. The complaints similar to yours that I have heard seem to be more with the LG model LCD screen, and not the Samsung Panel. I have the Samsung model, and while not perfect, seems a lot better than what you are describing. If you have the LG LCD, your complaint sounds similar to others with that LCD panel.

http://www.lavalys.com/

 

Alrighty, I'll certainly give that a whirl once I get back home

 

I have the Epson/Sanyo screen (according the SysID). It is pretty bad and I made a note of it in my review. It's only suitable for personal viewing square to the screen.

Sharing the screen with someone next to you is hopeless.

I'll try Lavasys and see if it aligns with the screens other folks have. Maybe the Epson/Sanyo reading is wrong.

 

I'm giving it a "whirl" right now LOL
I'll post up what i find.

never mind. It's not free.

 

If it was the case that I just got the "cruddy brand" LCD installed in mine, is there any hope in exchanging the model and getting the Sammy? Probably not eh, since they're incredibly hard to find anyway...(all the area BB's are now sold out).

Hmm. Oh well, still a great deal on a capable little machine...and once the warranty is up maybe I'll pop a new LCD and processor in this

I'll get back with a Lavasys reading in a few hours.

 

There is a free trial version.

 

Download Everest Home Edition, that one is free. I have the Samsung screen on mine, I can't complain about it at all. I have more complaints over my desktop than this laptop, this is one beautiful laptop.

 

If it is really that bad, you "might" (I stress might) be able to place a warranty claim and have Gateway replace it under warranty and get lucky and get what I presume is a "newer" part (the Samsung). Might be worth a shot.

 

Ugh, it's hard to stomach warranty replacement in the first week. Hmm...decisions. Since Best Buy is out of stock on replacements, they'd refund me without a restocking fee...hmmm...

 

Well, fortunately (or unfortunately??) I have the Samsung LTN170X2-L02

Hmm

Although, now that I'm back home using the computer and have cranked the backlight back some, it seems better (can still notice some bleed).

I dunno, I like this laptop too darn much to return it...heh...

 

*sigh

i have a Samsung. I kept on wondering why people were complaining about the washed out screen.

 

Why don't you guys adjust your desktop color settings in Nvidia Control panel makes a huge difference, stock settings are very bland.

 

i have. it was more a sigh of relief.

 

I have the LTN170X2-L02 too.

Washed out colors are not my issue. But I have to adjust the angle to get a square line of sight to the screen.

 

Once i adjusted the digital vibrance and contrast ive been more then happy with my screen but these are things i always do when getting a new monitor/lappy.

 

Ya, I had to crank the gamma down to 22% from 50%...any lower crushes blacks, and the default setting is ugly

I dunno, I've kinda gotten used to it. I took a look at an 8 year old 19 inch LCD we had around (originally cost upwards of a few grand...we had been using it for our traders) and it was atrociously bad and dull. So that made my display look better in comparison! heh

 

Stupid question alert...you've been warned!

I downloaded Everest and installed it, but I can't for the life of me figure out the screen brand. Where is it located? I noticed an "SECxxxxx" model number...so I assumed Samsung. Help?

 

Well, in Everest Ultimate edition, go to Display. Then, go to Monitor, and you will have your monitor. SEC should be the Samsung, as mine is Samsung and shows up SECxxxx as the Model ID.

 

Just look under EVEREST v4.20.1170-->Display-->Monitor

On my machine it says...
Monitor Properties
Monitor Name Samsung LTN170X2-L02
Monitor ID SEC3847
Manufacturer LTN170X2-L02
Monitor Type 17" LCD (WXGA+)
Manufacture Date 2006
Serial Number None
Max. Visible Display Size 37 cm x 23 cm (17.2")
Picture Aspect Ratio 16:10
Maximum Resolution 1440 x 900
Gamma 2.20
DPMS Mode Support None

 

Thanks guys. Got it. Not sure if a poll is about to break out, but I've got the Samsung.

b

 

hehe manufacturer date of 2006 they must have really sc****d the bottom of the barrel for our screens even though i actually dig my screen other then the occasion viewing angle issues.

 

I'm glad you mentioned "2006." I did a double-take when I saw it on my machine through Everest. But, I agree, the screen is fine by me.

b

 

I also have the Samsung. It seems most of the P6831 screens are Samsung!

 

is the refresh model supposed to have an updated lcd as well? seems the bulk to complaints are geared towards this. i wonder if gateway listened.

 

im wondering if anyone who bought one from gateway direct could list there model number for 1440x900 screen.

 

I, aswell have the samsung.

If you have the P6831 you have a great chance of getting the samsung panel it seems.

 

Also have Samsung. I don't like the viewing angle nor 1" light bleed at the botton, but they don't bother me that much.

 

Peter, on your light bleed.. How high do you have the brightness cranked?

I'm running 3 steps down from max with a black background, no big bleed FWIW.

thanks

 

I got brightness on Nvidia Control Panel to 50% and 100% on Laptop's manual hardware control.

 

Samsung here too.

 

So has everyone who's got this screen share the same findings with regards to backlight bleed, i.e. 1" from the bottom?

What about the people who ordered directly from Gateway? Are they getting the same screens on their 171S?

 

S Model has this as well. I'm looking to upgrade.

 

How bad is it? Taking a look at lewdvig's review of the 6831FX, the screenshots posted show a LOT of bleed in the middle portion of the screen in the desktop screenshot. Is it equal to that?

 

They are the same screen, so I would believe they both have the same effect.

On another note...are there any good 1440x900 screens out there? I would really prefer one of those since I am perfectly fine with this res.

 

Not that bad, maybe inch or two at the bottom, I've seen worse! Screen shots are tough to do right depending on exposure.

If you look at the AnandTec review it's sort of middle of the road: http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3273&p=9

IMHO, I bought this for gaming, not best of screen. You could swap out to the ASUS screen, or just plug in an external screen.

 

Eh hee... a budget gamer doesn't really have money to buy an external monitor you know... And yeah, I love 1440x900 too. I've had a WUXGA on my I9300 for the past three years. While I've been fine with it and have had no trouble at all, I kinda realized it wasn't actually too useful for how I use my laptop.

EDIT: By the Asus screen, do you mean the one with the 72% gamut?
Is it compatible with the GW?

 

Not sure,a couple of posters were getting specs to do just that by changing out just the panel.

Like people who upgrade the CPU, we are nuts...

 

apparently not.. Its only suppose to be an increase in ram and hd space.. Im waiting for the refreshed version but two weeks are gonna feel more like two years!