My Best Buy HWInfo Spree - LCD Model Numbers and Quick "Reviews"

So I went to Best Buy today and brought with me a Flash Drive loaded with HWInfo.


Dell Inspiron N5110
BB SKU: 2562035
LCD Model Number: LG LP156WH4
LCD Size & Resolution: 15.6" 1366x768

- Colors were okay
- Image was griddy
- Poor contrast
- "Refresh-rate latticing effect" (pixels make a grainy alternating lattice formation, especially visible when slowly dragging windows - My M4400's display suffers from this)


Dell Inspiron 15R
BB SKU: 1697111
LCD Model Number: LG LP156WH2
LCD Size & Resolution: 15.6" 1366x768

- Colors were okay
- Image was griddy
- Poor contrast


HP DV6-3225DX (last year's model)
BB SKU: 1678129
LCD Model Number: Samsung LTN156AT09-H02
LCD Size & Resolution: 15.6" 1366x768

- Colors were okay
- Image was slightly griddy
- Again, poor contrast
- Can't remember if it had the latticing effect or not


HP DV7-6135DX
BB SKU: 2678499
LCD Model Number: Was reported as LTN141AT03-001, but this appears to refer to a 14.1" LCD
LCD Size & Resolution: 17.3" 1600x900

- Colors were decent
- Image was griddy but not as much as other displays
- Poor contrast, but not as poor as other displays


Lenovo IdeaPad V570
BB SKU: 2731265
LCD Model Number: LG LP156WH4-TLA1
LCD Size & Resolution: 15.6" 1366x768

- Same display as used in the Inspiron N5110
- Colors were okay
- Image was griddy
- Poor contrast
- Refresh-rate latticing effect


Sony Vaio VPCF226FM (F-Series)
BB SKU: 2794192
LCD Model Number: Chi-Mei N164HGE-L12
LCD Size & Resolution: 16.4" 1920x1080

- Colors were VERY good
- Contrast was very good as well
- Nice matte finish
- Image was sharp
- The only 1920x1080 display in the store
- Had the DPI settings turned up by default
- One of the best quality displays I've seen, especially in a retail store


Sony Vaio VPCEB47GB (Vaio EB-Series)
BB SKU: 1891036
LCD Model Number: Sony, Unknown (does Sony really make their own laptop screens?)
LCD Size & Resolution: 15.5" 1366x768

- Colors weren't great
- Rather poor contrast
- Griddy
- Refresh-rate latticing effect


Samsung RV520
BB SKU: 2775225
LCD Model Number: Chi-Mei N156BGE-L21
LCD Size & Resolution: 15.6" 1366x768

- Colors were a bit better than the others
- Contrast appeared low when looking up close, but looked slightly better than some of the other screens. I don't know if the background used on the screen had anything to do with this judgement.
- Slightly griddy but notably less than some of the other screens
- Arguably one of the better 768p screens out there, but still can't compare to the Vaio F-Series 1080p


ASUS G73SW-BST6
BB SKU: 1774899
LCD Model Number: AUO B173RW01 V3
LCD Size & Resolution: 17.3" 1600x900

- Colors were acceptable
- Very griddy
- Low contrast


What I did not find, but was looking for: The AUO B156XW01 display, also known as the horrible stock screen used in the XPS 15.
What I wish I had with me as well: Spyder 3 Elite
What I forgot to do: take note of viewing angles
What I did find out:
- Inspirons and the XPS 15 don't use the same 720p screen (at least in the case with these laptops)
- Chi-Mei is one of the better manufacturers of 720p screens out there, unlike LG as I had previously thought (edit: not by too much though)

 

That is very interesting information. It's too bad that the OEMs vary the display models without telling anyone so it's hard to make use of it. Did you have to talk to the Best Buy staff to do this or were they just not paying attention?

 

That's interesting that Chi Mei has some of the best screens out there, when I always get a screen replacement and it is Chi Mei I always cringe. LG are always top notch IMO. Samsungs aren't usually any better than AUO/Chi Mei in terms of contrast/color reproduction, but aren't grainy and have better brightness levels. AUO is typically the worst screens, grainy, horrid viewing angles.

 

They were all talking to customers

 

If they distracted you from doing this, I would suggest all you'd have to ask them is to explain the difference between Centrino and Centrino 2, then nod and say 'mhm' while they ramble on and you continue.

 

Very interesting information It's a shame that mainstream laptop screens suck horribly, would've been nice if there were more pleasant surprises like the Vaio F.

As for differences between LCD manufacturers, all the manufacturers have excellent panels as well as horrible ones - it's just that the horrible panels are unfortunately much more popular with their customers, the OEMs.