Compaq vs Toshiba screen question!

Hi all, I'm new to Notebooks, but I've manage to pick up a Toshiba M55-s139 and a Compaq v2410us.

Both of these are 14" (well, 14.1" Toshiba), WXGA laptops with the gloss screens, but the Toshiba looks a whole lot clearer on everything.

Do Toshiba's normally look that much better, or is it possible the Compaq is messed up? The screen on the Compaq just looks like theirs dust on it all the time. Really kind of grainy looking almost.

They're both set to 1280x768 32bit with Clear type.

I'm going to sell one of the two, and would like to keep the Compaq due to the 64 bit Turion Ml-30 vs the Toshiba's Celeron M380 (Super_pi was 2m08s on the Compaq and 2m34s for the Toshiba, plus the Compaq has the media reader and firewire, but man it's a hard choice with the screen looking the way it does.

They both have 80g drives, though the Toshiba was 5400rpm (which I swapped into the Compaq), DL burners, 3 USB ports, S-Video, etc.


So. . . whata ya all think. Should I send the Compaq back to the factory to see if theirs a problem or is this common between the two of them.

I tried to search the forums for like posts but didn't find anything, so forgive me if this is a common question.

Thanks, Shawn

 

The Toshiba's screen is just better - Toshiba's TruBrite technology (glossy screen coating) is about on par with Sony's and Fujitsu's, so its pretty good. HP/Compaq's screen's are O.K., but they aren't great.

 

Toshiba screens are great, but HPs are not far behind. Does not sound as though you have the brightview option working.

 

Without getting into "which company has on average the better screens", I say that you shouldn't stay with a screen that bothers you. Everything else (speed, expansion ports) is secondary, because faster and newer stuff are coming out every day. But ergonomics (screen, keyboard, mouse) are mandatory if you are going to be using the laptop for sufficient amount of time.

As such, ditch the Compaq. However, if you have the opportunity to let the tech support look at it, do so. Maybe the screen is defective and they'll replace it.

 

Well, trying to figure out which screen is normally better was the whole point of this thread. I just posted the specs as I figured if someone would've commented about the Turion not being that much better than the Celeron-D then I'd think about keeping the Toshiba. Future proof isn't a concern for me as I only buy laptops on clearance so I know I'll be replacing which ever I keep within a year anyway. Probably within 6 months, actually. I've only got $900 tied up for both of these. Both were new.

So, with that said, most of the choices I have access to are Sony, Toshiba, Compaq, Gateway, HP, and IBM. I doubt I'll ever spend the money on an IBM or Sony, as these laptops are more of a "toy". Just something to take on trips and down to the lake. So, are the HP or Gateway screen any better than the Compaq's or?

Thanks, Shawn

 

HP and Compaq make the same laptops, if you look at them, you can see they look different (colors, lights, etc.), but the case, layout, etc, are identical. you can't really compare 1 company's screens against another because most companies offer numerous choices in resolutions, viewing angle, and glossy/matte options. you have to specifically compare LCDs, not companies.

in any case, i agree with dr_st, it's kinda moot in that you already made a decision on which screen you like. it doesn't sound like you would be happy with the other one so why keep it, regardless of specs.