Issues with HP dv2000 screen.....

First of all....hi everyone. I'm new to the forums.


Now that I got that out of the way...let's get to my problem. Last week, I bought an HP dv2037us from Staples. I needed a laptop for school.....and the only reason I ended up buying a laptop from Staples was because I had a $100 reward check to use.....plus, they had some great deals for back to school. The HP was on sale from $1150 for $999 + $50 mail in rebate. I checked out some other laptops to compare, and I really liked the HP. So I bought it. They didn't have it in stock, so they shipped me one 2 days later.

Then when I got home, I found this website and I read the review for the dv2000t and noticed the little disclaimer about the different screens HP uses for their laptops......how most in-store models have screens manufactured by SEC and most CTO models have screens manufactured by QDS.

Well, after I got the laptop and used it for a few days, I then went into CompUSA to compare the screen to other HP laptops. I saw 2 with screens from QDS and I was simply shocked at the difference in quality between the screens. The QDS screen was so bright, had such vivid colors, and incredibly great viewing angles.....while my screen seems so dull and lifeless. Not to mention it has terrible viewing angles. In fact, the viewing angles are so bad that there is no 'sweet spot' with it. The bottom of the screen has very noticeable light leakage so it's always brighter than the top....and even if my head is directly faced towards the center of the screen, the top corners are quite darker. If you move your head even just 1 inch in any direction, the brightness changes noticeably. The brightness is very uneven throughout the screen. And not to mention there are also 2 stuck pixels. I should also mention that some text also seems blurry.

So now at this point I don't know what to do. Should I exchange it at Staples in hopes of a better screen? Should I return it for a refund (which they are probably gonna charge a hefty re-stocking fee for)? Will I get my $100 reward check back? I'm just soooooooooo confused.

Sorry...I know this is a long post, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm just really bummed out that some HP screens are great while others are shoddy. I don't think it's fair to pay $1000 for something and get a lower quality product because it was purchased in-store.



EDIT: Btw, I just wanted to add that besides the problem with the screen, everything else about the laptop is absolutely wonderful. It's super fast, the keyboard is great, wireless works very well, and it feels very solid. Good build quality.

 

So why didn't you get a QDS screen if they had to ship it to you? Was it from a warehouse or something?

I would just return it and custom order one online. They have the $150 off. A 50 dollar mail in rebate and a built in 100.

Some of the specs:

Operating System Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo processor T2400 (1.83 GHz)
Display 14.1" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
Graphics Card Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Personalization HP IMPRINT Finish + Microphone
Memory 1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x512MB)
Hard Drive 80 GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support
Networking Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Primary Battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money

For $1025

 

Because the dv2037 is a retail only model. It's not a customized order.

 

So just customize your own online.

 

Yea, I know it sounds so simple.

But I'm probably gonna get screwed with a big restocking fee at Staples, and who knows if I'll get my $100 reward check back. Then on top of it I'm gonna still end up paying more if I buy one from online.

I guess I'll just go to Staples tonite and see what they have to say.

 

I think one could argue with Staples about the restocking fees if the screens are markedly different. Good Luck.

 

Ya, I would say argue with them about the restocking fee and use that 100 dollar thing in place of that. Then spend the extra 50 bucks to get the computer you really want.

 

Alright, thanks for the suggestions guys.

I'm gonna stop at Staples on the way home from work and explain the situation to them and see what they have to say.

 

Just for clarification, I purchased my dv2050us from Fry's, and it has the QDS screen, so it isn't ALL store purchased DV2k's that come with a bad screen.

My screen is excellent, very bright, even easy to view outdoors.

Just wanted to clarify, for the benefit of other readers.

Don't automatically rule out purchasing from a store, just verify which screen they include.

To the OP, I'd suggest you return it, or see if they have any with the QDS monitors. I think this is a legitimate reason to return a computer... that's why stores have a return period.

 

That's why I said 'most' in my original post.

Btw, I went to Staples, I'm gonna exchange it for another one and see how it is.

If it's the same, I'm gonna return it.

 

question guys,

if i buy the notebook from HP's customize website.... would i be assured 100% that i would be getting the QDS screen? This is the best manufacturer of the dv2000t's screen right? thanks

 

No your not guaranteed because I and several others have ordered CTO's from hp's website and still got the SEC4242 (the dimmer screen) and i have seen some retail with the SEC4242 and QDS so theres no guarantee.

 

I bought the dv2035US from Circuit city recently. Is there some way I can check if my screen is made by QDS or SEC?

 

Look under device Manager-->Monitor-->Plug n Play Monitor-->Details Tab--> You will see the Device Instance ID's listed in the white box like this...
DISPLAY\ QDS005C\4&.....

QDS is short for Quanta Display Systems
AUO -> AU Optronics
SEC -> Samsung.


This is only pic I have of the Quanta(V3000) and Samsung(dv2000) screens side by side. Its not the best shot but I dont think there is much difference between the 2..

 

I ordered a dv2000 CTO from HP on 8/4 and it had the SEC screen. I sent it back because it was having the touchpad "freakout" problem. Anyway...

I ordered a new one on 8/15 and received it today. I checked it to see what screen it has and it shows: DISPLAY/LPLA500/5&277...

Has anyone seen this one and who manufactures it?

 

LPL = LG Phillips

 

Can you guys rank which among the given are the best screen to the worst?

a) QDS
b) AUO
c) SEC
d) LPL

and can you return them to HP if the screen is not the one you want?

 

I dont think you can because its not a defect. They just use several screens for there notebooks and some are brighter than others, its not like the SEC hinders your ability to enjoy viewing your screen it just may not be as bright as others. I haven't been able to compare it to the other screens but im happy with it.

 

My Compaq V3019US from Circuit City has a QDS screen and I can't stop gushing about it. Its so bright and clear!

 

LPL is crap too. When you view a white background on it under a certain angle it looks like tire tracks went on the screen. This is the cheap screen used on the Toshibas. I checked this out in many stores.

 

IMHO: QDS, AUO, LPL, SEC. If it's CTO you can return it to HP within 21 days, I believe.

BTW, AUO owns Quanta now, so QDS and AUO could be the same screen soon.

That's not necessarily the display's fault. Toshiba has a problem with BIOS on 1XX series that causes artifacts on their screens.

 

SuperHuman, do you have the 12 cell battery or does anyone else have it? I was wondering if it caused the laptop to be unlevel? Like in this picture the battery is off to the side.

 

The battery is long enough not to create any such imbalance. The only problem would be on an uneven surface where it will tilt the laptop.

 

The LPL looks better than the SEC one I returned. I have an AUO on my dv1000 and it looks a lot nicer than either of these.

 

If i will have my DV2000t customized in HP.com, is there a way for me to request that they use the QDS screen on my unit? Is there a box in the website where i can put additional comments/suggestions upon ordering? or perhaps a tel# where i can call to follow up the order....

 

Nope, what you get depends on your luck basically. Its the same with any other manufacturer.

 

On the back of the receipt it should tell you that if you pack it back up in original boxes with all original parts and documentation that there will be no restocking fee with a receipt. I was in a similar situation where I needed to exchange because my needs changed within the past few weeks with a new job and what not, and I waited too long past my 14 day grace period and now am stuck trying to sell it off of eBay. If you aren't real specific about having to have the Intel version, I still have my HP dv2020us AMD Turion64 x2 for sale on eBay... its listed here. Its real fast and looks exactly the same. Both were built with the future of Vista in mind.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=73869

I even put a brand new picture up on eBay. The screen is real bright since I bought it from Office Depot, even when I unplug it. I'm selling it for $1,000 USD. Just an option though, because I know how you probably are like everyone else and like it brand new out of box, but trust me I have a receipt that dates July 29, 2006. It's a shame I waited so long... so my suggestion to you is to try to return your comp at the store, if you find one you like that meets your standards go for it... but if you think that my deal is better I will ship it right away via eBay, payment on Paypal.

*oh and one more thing... NO LEAKS!!!

 

Ok, well I just got back from Staples. They're gonna send someone to pick the laptop up on Monday and deliver a new one on Tuesday.

Hopefully I will get one with a better screen.

 

My Dv200t CTO was ordered on 8/11 and i recieved it 13 days later. Anyways, i ran powerstrip and found out i got a LPL.

It looks pretty decent despite a bit of light leakage in the bottom middle of the screen...also colors look a bit dull. I wish i couldve gotten that QDS screen...

I saw a Dv2000 at Compusa and the screen looks so much better than mine!

 

I also ordered the DV2000 through CTO 2 weeks ago and got the awful SEC screen. I had it repackaged and RMA'ed within 30 minutes of delivery, LOL. Told customer service I was returning because of the poor screen quality and they were fine with it.

 

Ok, so I got the new laptop today.

A couple things were different. First, it has a new BIOS (yay!). Second, it has a Fujitsu hard drive instead of a Hitachi. Third, the screen is once again an SEC, but there are no dead pixels this time, and it does look a little better than the one I had before. At least the brightness seems more evenly spread out across the screen with this one.

I am neither dissatisfied nor satisfied.

Meh.

 

My laptop is kinda so-so. I have the dv2000t with the SEC screen and it definitely beats some of the screens I have seen in other notebooks. It does have one stuck (dead?) pixel, but all-in-all it's a pretty good notebook. It does what I want it to, and quite well I might add!

 

are our chances of getting the higher end or "better" screen greater if some of us chose 14.1" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800) instead of the regular option?

 

Hard to tell... There aren't too many people ordering the matte screen, so the sampling is very low. In either case, nobody can tell you for sure. For example, two months ago most people ordering CTO with glossy screens were getting QDS/AUOs, now everybody seems to get SEC or LPL. So YMMV.

 

I'm personally planning on ordering the matte screen because I want to use my laptop outdoors, have anyone seen a 2000 with a matte screen?

 

i juss got my laptop today suprisingly! haha too bad i got a sec??! what are your guys' thoughts on the sec monitors again??

 

i want to know why did i get a sec monitor if my laptop was CTO?

 

This seems like the SEC's that are CTO are starting to come more regularly. Any insight into why this might be happening?

 

Cost cutting from HP...Got a deal from Samsung...Apple rejected more displays, so HP picked up a few for cheap... Your guess is as good as mine...

 

so is there a request we can put in for a better monitor??? than having them to give us a sec monitor?

 

^I don't think you can. Its not a problem with the machine or anything...

 

This screen issue has me backing away from buyng one. Ugh!

 

Yes I jsut ordered DV6000t and mentioned to the lady that I want Quanta LCD and not SEC (Samsung) due to poor and dim quality of samsung. She note my order and she told me if when you recieve it, is not what you wanted send it back no question asked. I wrote her name and hopefully there won't be any need for sending back.

You guys should do the same

 

well i returned my duo core laptop for a core 2 duo.. and i got a CMO monitor.. what is that?

 

I have a CMO monitor too on my dv2000t. From the 'net I figured its probably manufactured by Chi Mei Optoelectronics a Tiwanese display company. DIsplay quality looks good...how do you find your display?

 

i just got my dv2000t today and it's a cmo. i can't remember the brightness and quality of my other dv2000us that i sold (sec) but this looks better. any others with a comparison? thanks

 

My dv2000t Arrived this morning. I got the SEC screen

It is very Dim. I would have never ordered from HP if the screens at the store looked as dim as this one . Its going back. Im on the phone to Costco now.

(edit) I ordered another dv2000t at costco. The same configuration as the first order. Estimated ship date 9/24. I then called Costco to request a Quanta LCD and tell them about the unacceptable quality of the SEC on my first order. They said they would email the HP rep and request the Quanta LCD and tell them not to use the SEC for this order. They said they would call me monday or Tuesday to follow up on HP's response. Keeping my fingers crossed! I Just pray I dont get SEC again.

 

thats what i did too.. but i upgraded some things. i got a sec monitor my first time with my duo core dv2000t then i reordered with core 2 duo and got a CMO monitor.. so im pretty happy comparing my previous laptop with the recent one. so what did you get and how much did you pay for??

 

For th few that have seen the Quanta and CMO, how does the CMO screens compared to the Quanta?

 

How do you tell what screen mfg. you have. Does the matte screen come from different manufacturers to?