Is the NP8170's stock screen BAD?

Just looking for a few more opinions. I used to own a G73 from Best Buy. Gimped screen. Would the 8170's stock screen be an improvement over the G73's?

I don't wanna spend 200 extra if not necessary. For anyone who is curious, I'm deciding on a laptop by tomorrow night at the latest. I'm choosing between NP8150/NP8170/MSI GT780R

Still deciding but yeah, tomorrow is the day I decide and then I guess I'll see which reseller has the best deal.

 

Not bad by any means. I am pretty sure the 8170 uses the same screen as the G73, however.

 

Well, the 8170's screen is the full HD version, correct? Because the G73 from BB had only an HD+ screen. It was still very beautiful, so if the screen is the same, I won't be disappointed with it at all.

It'd save me quite a bit of cash, haha.

 

Is the 72% Gamut Matte screen better than the stock screen?

 

Sorry, one more question - someone recommended I get the $150 for 3 years Parts/Labor Warranty. Is it advisable to do that instead of an upgrade to the 6970M or to get a second hard drive / SSD drive?

 

Definitely not, unless you're going to be throwing your laptop around.

The screen is better, but the stock screen is still nice.

 

No, I won't be throwing it around. I take care of it.

So should I just get the stock model until I feel the need to upgrade to the 6990M? Because the stock 560M will be more than enough for all my games, and probably most of the games I want soon, like Skyrim.

 

Don't plan on upgrading; buying a new video card by itself is outrageously expensive. I'd get the 6990 now.

 

I agree with that but it is cheaper than buying a new sager with the video card you wanted.

 

Stock screen on NP8170 is a Hannstar HSD173PUW1.

Here is the spec sheet for it: http://www.yslcd.com.tw/docs/product/HSD173PUW1-A.pdf

The G73's had a variety of screens. Two of which were a gimped LG (1600x1900) and a gimped AUO screen. Best Buy tends to get the crappier screens on laptops to keep costs attractive to unknowing consumers.

Anandtech did a review on an Asus G73Jh with a Hannstar HSD173PUW1 LCD and they said it's one of the better LCD's they've come across. This obviously could have changed since they did the review (April 2010), meaning they've come across better LCD's, but the review is still encouraging. The $200 I would have sunk into a screen upgrade I decided to use towards a 120GB Intel 510 SataIII SSD.

Consensus: Very high contrast, could have better brightness, around 60% gamut.

Based off the review I decided to stick with the stock screen and give it a test drive. If I don't like it, I already have a local source on an AUO B173HW01 v5 and V4 that has confirmed they have screens in stock. I may just purchase one to hold until I decide which to go with. I'm also waiting for reviews of the V4 and V5 screens. Lastly, with the AUO B173HW01 line now discontinued, I'm sure there will be even better screens coming out that will fit the NP8170/P170HM.

I agree with others. Stick with the stock Hannstar which is a good proven screen and use that cash to go with the 6990M.

 

The default Hannstar is respectable, but the AUO V.4 is simply INCREDIBLE.

Of all my upgrades, I value the screen the most. It blows me away on a daily basis. The jump from a 60% screen to a 90% is immediately easy to spot. Don't cheat yourself.

That said, the 560M is not the card to choose. It's barely a 1080p worthy part today, let alone within the coming months. If it's the screen or the 6990M, choose the GPU upgrade.

If you can afford both, them get both.