HP EliteBook 8560w Dreamcolor vs Non-Dreamcolor

HP EliteBook 8560w Dreamcolor vs Non-Dreamcolor short review

Build quality is fantastic, no flex whatsoever and very solidly built. However, the 8560w is very big and heavy, not something I want to move around too much, it's not a problem for me, as it mostly will be used in the same place.

But I am disappointed about the Dreamcolor panel, compared to the normal screen it has a very annoying "grain" on the screen, it can be seen quite clearly, especially on white backgrounds, but also in graphics, it does actually obsucure the finer details and it looks "dirty". The normal Full HD screen doesn't have this problem. Obviously the Dreamcolor panel has amazing viewing angles and very good colors, but the "grain" on the screen doesn't compensate for the positive.

Also the fan is quite noisy even when the machines are not doing anything (in idle), this can be remedied by installing a program that can control the fan (I use TPFanControl), but HP should update the BIOS with a version that makes the fan less noisy, my temperature measurements have shown that it doesn't affect the CPU temperature much by putting the fan speed down considerably in idle.

So all in all, cool machine, and I expect to order one, but I won't be getting the Dreamcolor panel as I had expected.

Today I will take the Dreamcolor version home and calibrate the screen using my Spyder 3 Elite, I did it on the normal screen and got very good colors, the default calibration is way too blue, the calibration fixes this, we'll see how it affects the Dreamcolor panel.

Any questions, just post it here.

Thanks

Video:

‪HP EliteBook 8560w Dreamcolor vs Non-Dreamcolor‬‏ - YouTube

Picture gallery:

 

Review is online, I will post updates as soon as I have any.

Any questions, just post it here.

Thanks

 

do you have UMTS in the DC model? and... does it work?

 

Nope, it doesn't have UMTS.

 

Some nice shots you've put up here! The IPS stands out noticeably. I like it! In your first shot the TN screen looks better, but in all the rest, the IPS looks better.

As for the "graininess" you mentioned: I've got an older IPS screen on my Thinkpad, and it has what I can imagine is the same kind of "graininess" that you're talking about. Looks like little tiny individual pearls shining translucently on the flat screen.. Yes, you can notice it if you look for it, but honestly speaking, after using the machine a short while you come to appreciate and even fall in love with the depth of color, the accuracy of the colors, and the overall intensity of the screen. It makes me feel spoiled when I look at most TN screens now. Yes, some of the glossy consumer screens -- including the Mac Books -- look nice and sharp ... if you don't mind the glare and reflections all over the place. But even your comparisons above show that the DreamColor is clearer, brighter, bolder, and more accurate than the MBP or the TN 8560w.

So, I know which one I'd be getting if I was ordering one today.


OOTM

 

Now I got them both home, I really want to love the IPS, but the grain is really annoying, I'm looking and comparing the websites I've done, and some clearly looks like I've added grain in Photoshop to the background, in the non-Dreamcolor panel it looks as it should, completely clean.

My conclusion is that I want a screen that looks like the non-Dreamcolor panel, but with the viewing angles of the Dreamcolor panel, damn.....

 

I think the grain is due to matte finish and not the IPS panel itself. Both my 8510p and zr22w show some grain, and the 8510p doesn't have IPS.

Btw people choose business notebooks to have matte displays and not those glossy consumer LCDs and you don't like that?

 

Oh no no, I've had many laptops in my life, and I've looked at countless screens, it's not the matte screen, it's the IPS Dreamcolor panel. The normal screen is not grainy at all. I don't like glossy screens, I have always prefered matte.

By the way, many people in my office saw my comparison, and they agree with the grain and that the normal screen looks better (when not looking from an angle).

It can't be the IPS technology itself, my external screen is IPS and not grainy, and my iPad 2 is IPS too and not grainy.

 

hm... you are not making me happy
I just invested 2000 euro / 2800 us$ in the new laptop extra with IPS - I just hope that I´ll like the display

 

Ohh, not to worry, what matters is what you think, if you like the screen no one can tell you otherwise.

I may try the 8760w instead, I must admit that full HD on a 15.6" is a little small for my eyes.

 

Anti-glare coating perhaps? I think I can see similar on these desktop displays I'm using right now (old HP 2035 IPS 20").

 

My Dell U2410 which is also IPS, doesn't have any grain at all.

Maybe it was just bad luck with the Dreamcolor panel, but I do prefer the non-Dreamcolor.

 

Is there any way you could take a photo of that? I don't know how, but maybe you will know how to show the grain on the photo.

Are all hp 8560w IPS panel grainy like that? Just Asking if the RMA isn't an option.

 

MuF, I have tried, but I really can't with my camera...I may get access to a 8760w with Dreamcolor, so I can see if that panel has the same problem, a little grain or white glow is expected from an IPS, but the 8560w was so much that I didn't like at all.

 

Just a note that I have a Dell Precision M4600 that I purchased about 10 days ago. It's loaded, and has a very wide angle, high quality TN display that does not have the characteristics that you speak of. I also have a T40-series that has the 'pearly' look of IPS I'm not exactly sure what causes it truthfully. If you are interested in a trade for my laptop, let me know. I'm a photographer and probably should have purchased an IPS. I have the system with pictures posted up in the marketplace.

 

Yeah, TN panels of high quality are not grainy, that's why I decided on the non-Dreamcolor screen.

 

I'd really like to see this for myself. I'd like to see what you are seeing.



OOTM

 

I have an 8760w with DreamColor and the screen isn't grainy at all...but as for what wii means by "grainy" can't be sure. Like people said, it could just be a matte vs lustre vs gloss type of thing.

 

No, I don't like glossy screens at all, never had one.

I wrote about the grain to my account manager at HP, and they do know about the problem, others have reported it too. Could be the 8760w doesn't have it, I don't know.

 

I've heard the IPS DreamColor screens are very high contrast, something like 800:1. That's very high, higher than any other laptop screen I've ever come across.

High contrast is a double-edged sword: though it does produce the most striking sharpness and color definition, it also will show imperfections more than lesser contrast screens. For example, each pixel is illuminated by one or more LEDs. With ultra-high contrast you will then be able to see -- under certain conditions -- the very pixels themselves differentiated more visibly than with lower contrast screens. So it is entirely understandable that a very wide-viewing angle, high-contrast, brightly lit LED screen will show its pixel individuality more starkly than will lesser contrast and less wide viewing angled screens. This then looks like tiny individual pearls or pebbles making up the screen, because each pixel is so individualized by the high-contrast ratio.

I'd still like to see the DreamColor screen that you have, just to see if it is something more pronounced than what I have seen on my machine, for instance. Sounds like it is. My contrast is lower than what you have, about half, I estimate.


OOTM

 

I returned them both, since they were only for testing. I ordered a 8760w with a non-Dreamcolor screen, if it's as good as the 8560w non-Dreamcolor screen I would be satisfied.

About the Dreamcolor screen, HP in Denmark had similar reports as I posted to them in my testing. It was not something that you would just see in special situations, everyone in the office could see it, when you knew were and what to look for, it was impossible to ignore. Sure, "normal" users who doesn't work with graphic designs every day, won't notice, but then why buy the Dreamcolor screen then?

 

I've been checking some random review on Vaio on notebook check and it had 1000:1 measured contrast (just a heads up).

No no no, it isn't

I don't think this is true. Differentiate pixels on FHD@15"?

Btw high contrast is always better. That 800:1 is measured with ideal conditions, when you really need contrast is on a bright day - contrast will drop to like 80:1 and I'm pretty sure you will be more than happy that your screen didn't start with 300:1 contrast.

 

That's interesting. IPS or TN screen?

Ouch. Please enlighten me, then.

What I'm trying to mumble is that with very high contrast the IPS technology is going to accentuate the different pixels more visibly than a TN screen would. But I'm just guessing, so if you know more than me, please feel free to say what you think is going on.

I agree with you on that. Contrast of 800:1 makes for blacker blacks, and whiter whites, and what I call "differentiation" between the pixels. But I'm just making it up as I go along though. I have no formal education on the subject, just using what little I know about in plane switching vs twisted nematic, and it ain't much.

 

If every pixel on fullHD screen were independently lighted, it would require (1920x1080x3) 6.2 million led lights, bit over two million of red, green and blue leds each.

Current generation LED screens have a bunch of white leds where the CCFL used to be. Nothing more. The panel itself can be exactly same on CCFL and LED screens but usually "LED" looks better simply because the panel is newer and more advanced technology, the backlight itself doesn't magically make the difference

 

That's interesting. IPS or TN screen?
it's IPS, but even for IPS that's really high score. Dunno if there is a catch with that panel, didn't read whole review, just the measured contrast is over 1000:1 Review Sony Vaio VPC-F22S1E/B (FHD) Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

Ouch. Please enlighten me, then.
Current generation LED screens have a bunch of white leds where the CCFL used to be. Nothing more. The panel itself can be exactly same on CCFL and LED screens but usually "LED" looks better simply because the panel is newer and more advanced technology, the backlight itself doesn't magically make the difference
Great answer. Actually CCFL is superior in terms of color spectrum to LED (at least white LEDs for sure). I don't know much about RGB backlight but it could be better.
Btw OOTM: AFAIK all cheap/notebook screens are backlit just from one edge and the light is dispersed over the whole area. If every (sub)pixel would have it's own backlight - well it's called AMOLED

But I'm just guessing, so if you know more than me, please feel free to say what you think is going on.
I'm just mumbling and guessing too on this issue with "pixels" Maybe you could see pixels when watching low DPI panels, but as I've said - does this happen in the 8560w DC2? wii could tell us

 

Thanks, MuF and KLF. I'm going to go back and re-read the stuff I was checking a few months ago, the breakdown on how IPS works, how TN works, etc. What I know right now is that my IPS screen is not as bright as my son's T410 TN screen, but my color depth and overall image quality blows his screen out of the water ... in my humble opinion. He's happy with his, and I'm happy with mine, and that's what counts.

 

At least one type of IPS uses one (or more?) transistors for each subpixel so it blocks more light, maybe this could be the issue. Read wikipedia for more info about IPS My friend's LG IPS screen has 12 (TWELVE) CCFLs installed to overcome this issue( but my HP doesn't, so maybe it depends on subtype of IPS).

 

Your friend's LG is a stand-alone monitor, right? It's not in a laptop? Nah, couldn't be ...... could it! Hey, sounds like a great idea!!



OOTM

 

Yes sorry I didn't make my statement clear enough. Stand-alone. I think most of laptops use just one tube, amirite? I mean USED, since LED is everywhere.

 

No problem. So much to learn, so little time.

Btw, how do you like your 8560w so far? How would you compare it to your previous rig(s)??


ootm

 

@wii- have you checked, what panel is used in non dc 8560 elitebook...

Thanks

 

No, sorry, I should have done that for both of them, but I have returned them to HP.

 

Yeah sucks almost all IPS have aggressive anti glare these days. I notice same on my HP Z24w & NEC PA241W.

 

The normal screen is not made by LG. The Dream color is LG. LG is putting very aggressive anti glare on their panels by default unless someone like Apple requests glossy. It bothers some, some don't notice.

 

Doesn't look better. All the high end photo monitors from Eizo and NEC still use CCFL instead of edge lit LEDs for a reason.

The high end $2500 24" HP dreamcolor and a NEC does use Red-Green-Blue LEDs but are quite unaffordable so it's not widely implemented technology. That's the best tho.

 

I will review the normal full HD screen on the 8760w when I get it, I'm quite sure it's good enough for me...at least, I hope so

 

Hi .. does the 8560w FHD DC works with FirePro (as i know Dell M4600 does not)

 

It should, because I was able to configure the 8560w with FirePro at bsb portal.

 

I can confirm the 'grainy' look of the 8560W DC LGD0220 panel on my laptop as well. It bothered me at first but now I'm used to it and I only find myself noticing it when I'm looking for it. Is this actually considered a defect in the panel then?

 

Yeah, I would say so, when you work with graphics for web, you don't want grainy effects applied to something that is not supposed to be grainy.

I got the 8760w non-Dreamcolor screen and it's really perfect for me, sure I would love to have the Dreamcolor viewing angles...

 

I can certainly understand that for somebody working in graphics it can pose a problem in some situations, but do HP themselves consider it a defect. I think you mentioned earlier that HP were aware of it.

 

All I can say is that I reported this to my account manager at HP, and they had several similar reports from other users, whether they will do something about it, I don't know...

 

Hi, I've got the same grainy, sparkling nightmare of a dreamcolor panel and contacted HP support about the issue today. The support rep was really polite and took my complaint seriously, but claimed it was not a known defect for them, although he did open for a return/cancellation if I wanted.

I love the vibrance, contrast and black levels of the IPS, it's really sad that LG managed to screw it all up with the anti-glare coating.

I consider this a defect, as it undermines the point of an expensive IPS screen. Although one gets used to the grain after some usage, I get reminded everytime I switch from another device such as my Ipad and other notebooks..

Hopefully, if HP get enough complaints, they will fix the problem and offer a panel replacement to 8560w DC owners. I would gladly switch to a glossy IPS panel if possible.

So please, make your voices heard..

 

Really glad to see that others now report the same as I saw, the difference between the normal full HD screen and the Dreamcolor was quite obvious for me, the normal screen has a much more clean look, no grain at all, I wouldn't like a glossy screen though, the normal screen is very good, the 8760w screen is even better.

 

I have a 8560w with DC and an HP ZR24w IPS TFT directly next to each other.

At least for me there is no noticable grain on either - but I might just not notice it

 

hbootz, can you check the hardware ID on your monitor? There could be good and bad Dreamcolor panels.

 

My 8560w is LGD0220 = DC2
My ZW24w is HWP2869

I guess that I just don´t have any really good other display here to compare... just a lot of 2208w and 2245wg and compared to those both of my displays are heaven.

 

Hmm, that is the same ID as another user reporting the grain.

Look at a white background, shift you head a little back and forth, and you will see small sparkles of grain moving (hard to describe really), do the same with a non-IPS monitor, if you have one available, and you will see the difference clearly.

 

It's actually starting to annoy me again too.... I'll give HP a call tomorrow, probably would be a good idea to refer them to this thread.

 

my 27 inch dell ips screen does the same thing if you look for it.