1st notebook-pixels?

After reading this forum for the last week i've decided to go with the NP5790 from xotic for my 1st notebook. Is it worth it to go with the 0 dead pixel policy they offer for $200?

 

I've never seen a pixel not work on a laptop personally... only one ever on this PSP that I got for free... I think 200 bucks personally is spendy for a prevented dot on a screen... but then again, maybe you make bank at your job...

 

Typically, it's not very likely that you'll have any dead pixels. And in the rare case that you do have one, it probably won't be very noticeable unless you're looking for it. Unless you just have money to blow, I wouldn't bother with it.

 

Some people find it difficult to read text on a 17" WUXGA. You have to have pretty good eyesight to even spot a dead or partially lit pixel. That said, I have very good eyesight having used a 15.4" WUXGA for the past 3 years and I didn't notice a single bad pixel on my new 5790.

 

I've owned 3 Dell laptops over 9 years. None of those laptop had dead pixel problems initially. 2 of them developed noticeable dead pixel problems after about 2 years of constant use. The problems were noticeable but not dramatic.

The problems were more of the kind of "Darn, why did I put that period right in the middle of the sentence?" [Go back to try to delete the period.] "D'oh! It's the dead pixel!"

They were not of the kind: "Gah! Headcrab!!!" [Swing the crowbar around like an idiot] "Oh! Those were just the dead pixels!"

Also keep in mind that:

- Many resellers have return policies. If I recall correctly, PowerNotebooks for instance will allow you to return a computer within the first 15 days, no question asked, no restocking fee. Try to get a reseller that has a good return policy and check into the details of that policy. (Even the PowerNotebook one. I would ask if I'm responsible for paying for shipping back and what date counts as the start of the 15 days period to make sure I don't overshoot if I need it.) If you have a good return policy, then there's no need for a dead pixel policy. Note that the PNB policy is "no question asked". So even if PNB deems the computer fully functional, if you find that it is not to your liking, you can return it.

- 2nd thing: I don't know of a reseller that won't allow return on a faulty computer or at least repair it. The difference with the return policy I talked about above is that in this case the computer has to be faulty. But here's the deal: there are industry standards by which LCD screens are considered to be faulty. I don't remember the exact percentage but if you have more than X% dead pixels on an LCD, it is considered defective and then you can return the machine to the reseller or ask for service. If you are worried about dead pixels you can ask your reseller how many dead pixels are needed to consider the LCD faulty.

What I'm trying to point out is that:

- Dead pixels not unheard of but are rare on brand new computers.
- Protection against dead pixels is not an all-or-nothing proposition. If you don't get an extra policy, you still have options to get satisfaction, especially if you make sure to get a good return policy.

I certainly think that $200 for the little extra protection that a dead pixel policy provides is money thrown out the window.