Warning : Low quality screen on HP8710W

Hello,

I received a new HP8710w today.

WARNING !!!
HP changed the LCD and do not sell it with screen used in reviews (LG&AUO)
but with a low SEC3448 LCD .. big light leakage a the bottom and little bit grainy
Furthermore it is not mate but semi-glossy

On high quality laptop 3000$+ ... its not normal ...

Here is a quick picture of the light leakage http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19800&d=1213811269

[UPDATE]
I run Everest ( http://www.lavalys.com/) to know a little bit more about the screen
used on that HP8710W ...

I am a bit surprised about the date ...

If Everest data is correct ... :
- the laptop was bought on 06/2008 and ...
- the screen was build in 2005 !?!?!?

Did HP get an old LCDs stock to put in that new business laptops ?
I hope this is not true ... maybe the value returned by Everest is wrong
default value

Field Value
Monitor Properties
Monitor Name Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB]
Monitor ID SEC3448
Manufacturer 170CT02-001
Manufacture Date 2005
Serial Number None
Max. Visible Display Size 37 cm x 23 cm (17.2" )
Picture Aspect Ratio 16:10
Gamma 2.20
DPMS Mode Support None

 

What??? You have to be kidding me...I've owned a ton of HP business machines, and they all had great screens. Even all my screen replacements I eventually got on most of them. All LGs!!!

If that is true, the value of the 8710w has been severely degraded.

 

Unfortunately for me as it is ... I am in Europe and have no refund possible.

According to the device manager the monitor reference is SEC34488
SEC LCD have not been very famous (mosty on old DELL inspiron...)

This reference is a new one .. I looked in the forum and reviews before
buying and as you said, it is mostly LG that was used .. but I feel I have
been cheated

 

Where do I start?

That's nothing new, HP like any other company normally uses a few different screen suppliers for this and any other of their notebooks.

You just had the bad luck to get the worst possible screen, and no, you aren't the first one complaining about a crappy Samsung screen and you won't be last either.

However, HP usually replaces screens with no issues, I'm not sure how it works in your country, but you usually just need to call them and ask for a screen replacement.

Sorry but that's how it is.

 

Hi,

Not new ... I know ...
Bad luck indeed ..
but on high level business laptop .. it is unacceptable !!

I already called HP once, here in europe they replace the screen only
if it has a default. If someone from HP Belgium could help ..

To give you an idea, I post here in attachement a quick picture of the
light leakage !

 

Can you put high res pitcures on the web as well as a youtube video has limited resolution?

It's difficult to capture the grainyness of the LCD on a picture though. It's really bad that the LCD is grainy which makes it really disturbing when using black text on white background. For office use the light leakage is less of a problem and more disturbing when watching movies because of much black background.

This is really bad I think, haven't they solved the grainyness yet? Something that was a problem 4 years ago.

 

That is a lot of leakage!!!!

I also have leakage on my screen (1680x1050, LPLD900) but not that much.

I would not accept this and try to get the LCD changed, that much of light leakage should be treated as a fault.

 

I cannot get the grain on picture because I have no macro mode on my camera.
It is not very grainy (not as unfamous DELL some time ago) but still I am very
uncomfortable with grain and I find it very tiring to work on it.

 

I have just check and I am very disapointed .. ALL 8710W reviews were done with LG or AUO
screens ...

Now that HP get those reviews they put low quality Samsung LCD in the same Laptop ..

They cheat the consumer ... no other words ....

 

Wow, usually HPs have beautiful screens. This is the first I've ever heard of this from HP.

Well I just ordered one a couple of days ago with a 1680x1050 glossy screen. I'm here in the states so I may (or may not) wind up with the same thing you did. I'll send it back if it turns out to be as bad as yours.

 

The screens are randomly selected, but on average most HP LCDs are fine compared to Dells. If you're not happy, you can either return it and reorder on the next production batch or get them to replace the screen. You can request as many replacements as you want until you get a good screen.

You will get the same problem with Lenovo or Dell, so no vendor can guarantee this. Trust me on that.

 

Glossy are usually great screen. They are not grainy and I never seen
any leakages on glossy but ... it is glossy so you have to swith of the
lights behind you ... I prefer mate screens for that reason

 

This is a real problem now ... you cannot get a great laptop with a great lcd
even if you are ready to pay more for it !?

I think HP, DELL and Lenovo should guarantee a good LCD on business line and
not on public line ... This would be a minimum honest ... for a 3000 eur
laptop ...

 

I believe OEMs take a calculated risk. 2/3 of buyers will receive a good screen and the other 1/3 may whinge endlessly.
Have you actually tried to get the screen replaced with a better one?

 

I phoned HP, they do not replace screens if they are not faulty.
.. and if they replace they cannot guanrantee an LG or AUO or ...any other

I asked them to give me the extact reference numbers of compatible LCD
for HP8710W. I am ready to buy an new LCD if needed and replace it.

HP reference is 450582-001 but behind that number there are many LCDs ...
good and bad

Do you know the exact LG and AUO references ?

Is is AUO B170UW02 or B170UW02 V0 ?

 

The screen IS faulty. You have to tell them that. If you just mention "bad screen", it doesn't translate through. Tell them firmly you want it replaced with a good screen as evident in other production batches or threaten to return it. HP has a standard return policy, but it varies depending on the country.

All I could obtain without opening up my computer is:
Manufacturer : AUO
Product ID : AUO1188

HP cannot guarantee what kind of replacement screen you will get, but if you are unsatisfied, you are entitled to a satisfactory replacement. You need a Case Manager.

 

Thank you for the AUO number, I will try to find out what is the
matching reference.

HP accept to replace .. the proble is I already returned one and
my reseller has not stock any more. Anyway I beleive a stock serie
contains same screens .. you have to wait for another production
serie to get another screen ...

I am happy about the machine, solid, performant ... so I would like
to keep it this time but with that crappy screen .. no way !

 

What resolution screen did you order?

1920x1200 matte?

 

Yes, it is the mate version (though it is not very mate it is not glossy mirror neither)

 

I've got a BRAND NEW wsxga non-gloss screen off my 8710w if you are interested, PM me.

 

Yeah but is it 1920x1200?

 

Yes it is WUXGA 1920x1200
I do not think you can get glossy screen on that model

On glossy you have no grain problem because I read the
grain was due to a antglare cover on the lcd but you
have lot of reflections

 

Which brand ? Is it compatible with the WUXGA inverter board ?

 

Yes it is compatible, as it came from my 8710w. It's a LG-Philips screen and it's gorgeous. I have replaced it only because I needed 1920x1200 for work. It's in brand new condition.

 

I run Everest ( http://www.lavalys.com/) to know a little bit more about the screen
used on that HP8710W ...

I am a bit surprised first because the screen is not even in Everest DB
and the date ...

If Everest data is correct ... :
- the laptop is from 06/2008 and ...
- the screen from 2005 ?
Did HP get an old LCD stock to put in that new business laptops ?
I hope this is not true ...

Field Value
Monitor Properties
Monitor Name Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB]
Monitor ID SEC3448
Manufacturer 170CT02-001
Manufacture Date 2005
Serial Number None
Max. Visible Display Size 37 cm x 23 cm (17.2" )
Picture Aspect Ratio 16:10
Gamma 2.20
DPMS Mode Support None

 

It's like that (mine's 2007). The screens are sourced from a large batch, which could be from an old production batch. The date could also be the controller firmware date, not the actual production date. Everest could misinterpret them and just put a default value in there.

Either way, it is most likely a new screen.

 

Here in the U.S., you can get it in glossy with 1680x1050. Sounds like I don't have the same screen as you do but that doesn't necessarily mean there is no problem. I will have to wait and see when it comes.

Like I said, I'm really surprised about the screen issue with HP. I hope this isn't a trend and they start acting like Dell.

I currently have a 17" Sony VGN-A600 with a glossy and have no problems. As long as the light is shining off to the side or the back, then there's no glare reflection on the screen. The room it's in will be dark from behind me.

 

I have just check, you are right. In the US you have that "brightview" option not
available in Europe. You should not have any issue with it. Give us a feedback though.

I never saw a "bad" sony screen but they are all glossy I believe. Indeed with no lights behind its ok. Depends where you work. I have a Acer Aspire for the kids, wonderful glossy screen also ... and I did not pay it half the price of the HP !?!

For mate screen .. I am stuck. I am a bit disappointed about HP, Dell also have problems. Lenovo also have some bad feeback about its T6x serie ...
I believe I will go back from where I come .. Apple MacBook Pro. The mate screen I had on my MacBook Pro (broken unfortunately) was very good.
The only issue there was I had some unsupported hardware running on Linux. That's why I gave a try with HP

 

I hope so .. we will never know .. except if I open it !
PCWizard also gave me the same date value 2005

 

Well HP may not be the most ethical of firms, but I doubt they'd stoop this low to start using recycled parts in new notebooks. Refurbished parts are mainly used for warranty repairs on out of production models.

 

I will. It's still gonna be at least another 10 days, though.

Hate to burst your bubble but Macs have recently had screen problems, too.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/04/28/some-macbook-pros-show-vertical-striping-display-issues

http://www.trick77.com/2008/01/13/uneven-imac-displays/

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102538

http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mg2729smallnx2.jpg

 

Yes I know mostly on 15" .. even Apple is not "bad screen safe" but still
I think they are safer than the others and they have a 14days return
policy also with companies (that is not the case for other make here in
europe)

The other solution is, I buy a Dell, HP or wathever .. play lotery and if
I lose, I replace the screen myself by a good one. The problem is that
laptop vendors usualy refuse or cannot give the exact reference numbers
of the LCD used ... For example I did not find anywhere the exact AUO
or LG reference for HP8710W ... all what we get from forums is usually
the hardware ID.

 

So what screen you want? WUXGA or WSXGA?

 

I read somewhere that Samsung had taken over the production lead in matte WUXGA screens, which is terrible because they suck My brother has one (15.4" model though) and the light leakage is just like your first picture, terrible. It's not grainy but I don't know how he lives with the leakage problem.

Anyway hopefully you can get this resolved, good luck!

 

Alors Phico comment tu t'en sors?

 

Hello, sorry I did not respond yet. I would prefer WUXGA on a 17".
If I do not find a solution I may come back to you. Thanks.

 

phico, i recommend u call hp/chat online with them until they agree to replace your screen. they will try to resist, but will replace it as this is a business machine. i got lucky, all i had was dust stuck in my screen (between the panel and plastic) and they agreed to replace it. all you need to be is persistant. and if the replacement screen is still 'not up to par' call it in again, and again, until you satisfied.

 

Tanks nfsuw,
I asked them to replace the screen but they answered they cannot know
in advance if it is a LG, AUO or whatever ... so they proposed a return of
the laptop. I went back yesterday .. Now I do not know what to buy ..
screens lotery on all make is a real problem !

 

I had to return two 8510p notebooks due to the grainy washed out Samsung screens. My Asus is much better in that regard.

 

that's strange, i have 2 8710w's and the SEC screen is much better than the LG one. The SEC does have a litle bit more leakage at the bottom but you only notice it when it displays all black. The SEC screen is a lot more saturated a bit rghter and better contrast. I'd definitely pick the SEC one. Then again, maybe I have a newer SEC screen.

 

Might be possible. They may have different production units.
At the end I asked for a return of the HP"and bought a MacBook Pro 17"
The screen of that one is an LG and it is the best screen I ever had ...
really perfect !

 

I got a SamSung screen, it was beautiful but I didn't like it much. I contacted HP and they agreed to replace the screen.
Will get it back next week, I'll tell you guys if I get another SamSung or some other screen.
Mine is WUXGA.

 

Update, got my laptop back today, and HP has replaced the Samsung screen with an AU Optronics screen, as I specifically asked.

So far the best thing about HP is their customer support.
Needless to say, the new screen is absolute stunning.

 

So they allow replacing with specific screen models ?

I have an LG screen. It has very non-uniform lighting and backlight bleeding when looked at from an angle (even a slight angle). Viewed straight on, its fine.

Its annoying as it doesnt take much angle for the defects to creep in (esp in close range).

 

The way I did it was through online chat with their customer support (Way better than on the phone, no waiting whatsoever). I told them some random crap about the screen and demanded a replacement, to which they agreed.
I then told them that I want an LG or AUO screen, not another Samsung because I know Samsung has bad quality.
When I sent the unit to them, I specifically placed a note on the laptop, stated that I want something rather than a Samsung.
When I got it back one week later. I got an AUO.

You can try the same method I did.

 

I will try that. Did you have onsite support ? My warranty info says "Wty: HP HW Maintenance Onsite Support", so I hope the technician will come to my place so I can check that its an AUO screen.

Movies/pictures etc look beatuful on this screen, unfortunately the non-uniform lighting is apparent on plain lighted backgrounds

 

No, they will replace it with a random display as many times as you want. It usually goes as described in this thread.

Now there are people who believe that if you do certain Voodoo magic, you will get exactly the display you want, which I'm not convinced about, but then again I don't practice spiritual rituals and I'm no expert in this "specific" field.