The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Light area on LCD when viewed at an angle

    Discussion in 'HP' started by MattB85, Dec 19, 2009.

  1. MattB85

    MattB85 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    28
    Messages:
    677
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    When I look at my notebook's screen at an angle, an area at the bottom of the screen looks to be visibly lighter than the rest of the screen. There is also a small spot at the bottom of the screen that always looks lighter than the rest. Is this kind of thing considered relatively normal for an LCD?
     
  2. hypdotspec

    hypdotspec Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    513
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Unfortunately, that's extremely common on lower end (and even some higher end) laptops.

    Old CCFL laptop screens have the backlight on the bottom of the screen, which is why the bottom will always be brighter and the top left and right corners of the screen will be darker.

    LED Screens are better at this, but you'll run into viewing angle issues with LED screens (from my experience).

    It's just something you'll learn to live with...
     
  3. Ramzii

    Ramzii Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    263
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yeah, ive got a premium HP notebook with LED backlighting.. my first laptop ever.
    Man, how disappointed I was at first in the screen.. owwell, guess theyre still living off old technology.
     
  4. MattB85

    MattB85 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    28
    Messages:
    677
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I suppose this qualifies as an older screen, since it's an SXGA+ 14.1" CTFT made in 2004. The notebook is a high-end (for its time) Compaq Evo. It actually doesn't experience the issue with dark spots, just the lighter area at the bottom and then only if viewed at an angle.
     
  5. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    All LCDs have a narrow(er) viewing angle, that's just an anomaly of the technology; and one of it's greatest "cons" when comparing it to other technologies like plasma. That's why it's best when they're viewed directly.
     
  6. KingRaptor

    KingRaptor Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    68
    Messages:
    525
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Too bad they can't shrink plasma displays to laptop sizes without crazy cost... I wish I could have a plasma display instead of an LCD with uniformity issues.

    P.S. Using plasma screens would also be incredibly heavy as those displays require two plates of glass with gas sealed in between.
     
  7. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    As you point out, plasma has their share of limitations as well. In addition to what you've already mentioned, they also produce quite a bit of heat, making them an unlikely candidate for laptops application anytime soon.

    But fear not, there are several other technologies being developed (like OLEDs and PLED) that show promise. Only time will tell, which one will reign supreme.