New Notebook and Grainy Screen

Hi,
I have just received (today!) delivery of a new notebook, HP nc6400, but the screen is terrible. It is a 14.1 widescreen panel, WXGA+ with a resolution of 1440, I have checked the id, and its AUO1147. There is significant grainy/shimmering effect across the whole screen.

The thing is because its a discontinued model, there are no more to exchange it with, the retailer has said I can return it for a full refund. However I am more than happy with rest of the notebook, and within my budget I couldn't get a similar spec model

I would prefer to send it to HP under warranty if I know for certain that they would completely fix the notebook. I wouldn't want them to just 'tinker' at the edges, I have read one entry, where a guy had a similar problem and the replacement was even worse ! However, I have also seen that others have had screen replaced and its fine (mostly Dell Vostros it seems).

My question is if others have had any experience of sub-standard screens and what are HP like in terms of replacement ? Would they replace the entire panel for a new one (I dont want a refurbished one), can I specify a panel that is not AUO ?

Bottom line, is it worth forgoing the refund and trusting that HP would repair it ? I live in London and so would be dealing with HP UK, if thats of any significance

thanks for any advice

 

Well since you stated that the model is discontinued, wouldn't they not have any screens to replace it with even if you sent it in for repair?

 

Speaking from experience, return it. Sending the computer in for repairs probably will not fix it.

I had the same issue with my former laptop (Asus A8JP, which had the same screen type as yours). In my quest to get the grainy screen fixed, I found out that WXGA+ 14" screens are pretty much all grainy (though some manufacturers are grainier than others) so there was nothing I could do other than get rid of the computer.

Screens are in my opinion by far the most important part of a notebook and returning an otherwise good computer due to a so-so screen is perfectly justifiable.

 

HP usually replaces screens but you can't choose, they will just send you something, and usually even they don't know the LCD manufacturer, so it could be replaced with the same screen.

The good thing is, they usually replace your screen until you get satisfied, that's how they work in general but I haven't dealt with HP UK..

 

Its only in the last few weeks that I have seen it being discontinued with retailers, I would have thought manufacturers hold stock of previous models for a while afterwards.

In terms of a generic part such as a screen, I would hope they could slot in any new 14.1 high res screen

 

This notebook has a new version called the HP 6910p, which should use the same screen... anyway, call them and ask.

 

thats abit more reassuring to know, I have already booked a repair, the courier is due to collect tomorrow and I need to make up my mind before then, if I refund from retail or keep and leave it to HP to fix.

As anybody had any other experience with HP, maybe even HP UK/Europe. I was told the repair would go to a service centre in france. I think I read that for dells, the manufacturer sends out the screens, you are left to fix it yourself ?!
I hope its not the case with HP, or I just read it wrong

 

Now that Ive read the comment from Jollins, I'm not so sure. Is there anyone else out there with a WXGA+ 14" screen that is happy with it ?

 

Well, there are many people that are happy with 14.1" WXGA+ screens, I mean these are kinda popular screens... ThinkPads, Dell Latitudes, and other notebooks offer it. And yes it happens that some people get poor screens from time to time but they aren't all like that.

And Jollins's screen in the Asus A8jp was glossy, so not exactly related...

 

Graininess isn't limited to glossy screens. Granted, its possible that there are some good 1440x900 14" glossy/matte screens out there now, but I looked at multiple screens of this type (matte and glossy) in my attempt to find a good replacement last spring and didn't find any that were free of grain.

Regarding the issue of screen grain, some users notice it and others don't. When I had my A8JP, when other people looked at the screen, *most* though it the grain was no big deal, but myself and a few others noticed it and agreed it could get annoying. My point is that it looks as if Truckid is one of the minority of people bothered by screen grain, so in truckid's case I would recommend simply returning the computer and purchasing another model with a guaranteed-grain free screen rather than taking the chance that HP will send back another grainy screen.

 

I'm aware of that, but the screens used for the A8JP have nothing to do with this case.

OK, but that's just your expirience/opinion from....erm....last spring, which isn't a reason to say that all 14" WXGA+ are grainy as you did... sorry, it doesn't make sense.

There is (almost) no notebooks with "guaranteed-grain free screens", I have heard similar complaints about almost any notebook, and that's normal considering that most screens come from the same screen suppliers...

 

Im still tempted to give in and let HP fix the problem. Their reputation seems to be good, and the nc6400 is a solid notebook otherwise. I just wish there was a way to liase/contact their service centre. Ideally I would like it if they could diagnose and contact me with info. before they go ahead with the repair.
I hope they would have been able to source some decent WXGA 14" screen. Keen to hear from anyone with experience of their repair/service centre in UK or Europe

 

I would return the laptop and get a refund. Why hassle with HP and can't even guarantee a good screen at the end and then your return policy expires and you're stuck hassling with HP.

 

I would also definately get a refund and then order another one again. I just got my dv6700t with the 15.4" and the screen is bright with no grains or dead pixels. It's just perfect. I've tried all the different colors possible in fullscreen mode and there are no dead pixels period and no graininess that I have seen on some people's HP laptops @ school. My monitor is from AU Optronics B154EW02 V7. No Samsung or LG or whatever. Just plain old AU Optronics B154EW02 V7, which seems to be a good company I guess. Says it was manufactured in 2006 though but still good to me. Bright as heck!

 

I went to staples the other day and saw 4 HP's and two are grainy. It seems it depends on the model which is originally built with grainy screen. I would return the laptop and select a different HP model. This was a similar issue on the DELL XPS M1530. It was also designed with grainy screens. You cant blame dell and HP for making their units like this. But I managed to swap the samsung screen of my XPS with and LG.

The two screen if you look closely are both different. The grainy screens looks like it has sands on it more like looking on your drywall. The clear screen has small square pixles on it that are plain white and clear.

 

I would return it.
After reading several posts in this forum about horror stories when they had sent their PC's in for repair. Then received it back with scraches all over the case, missing keys, missing remote, something splilt on display, Hard drives erased without re-installing operatore system.
I hope to god, I never have to send mine in for repair.