Matte w/ 95% NTSC Color Gamut worth the extra $200+ for extreme gaming?

If your laptop is going to be used mainly as a gaming rig, is it worth it in your opinion to get the Matte w/ 95% NTSC Color Gamut over regular glossy or regular matte? The price is about $200+ extra, and I'd just be going on blind faith that it looks great since I can't see it in person.

 

Well if you are using this laptop for extreme gaming at a desk, then just buy a nice 24 inch IPS monitor that will look better. But if you are going to be gaming away from your desk, then the screen upgrade may be worth it if you want the very best visuals while playing.

 

1. It is not worth the $200 because B156HW01 v.4 were sold for around $150 when they are fully in stock. not to mention reseller get to keep the stock panel, which cost about $150. So you paid $350 for something only worth $150

2. It is not worth $200 if the stock panel didn't perform so bad. Say if the stock panel has average viewing angle and 72% gamut instead of 60%, you probably won't notice the upgrade if just gaming.

3. It is definately worth the $200 if you do image work or think it this way. 95% gamut is as close as you can get to an IPS panel but only a fraction of its cost. It is a steal!

 

In my opinion, go with the stock screen. There's a lot of screen snobs around here (no offense!) and it's easy to get the impression the stock one is horrible. Now, if you're going to do a side-by-side comparison, I'm sure you'll see the difference... but DUDE, you can upgrade the screen later if you really want to. And even better screens will undoubtedly be released in time. I just powered up my NP8170 with stock screen and I was honestly worried after reading these forums... but really, I have nothing super nice to compare it to, and I'm impressed. I'll load up some games before too long and update if I begin disliking the screen. So far I think I saved a good chunk of money and the extra time of having it installed!

 

Nice AnakiMana, keep us posted. Any issues with glare?

 

I'm in my living room at night with the chandelier directly above my head. It's lighting up the beige curtains behind me, which I can see reflected on the stock screen when my background goes black... but it's not bad at all - not distracting to me. I must say, though, this stock screen is bright! I think that helps. I'm sure daytime will make the glare worse, but I bought a matte Viewguard in case I get annoyed. I have an HP zd8000 laptop that I typically keep plugged in to an external monitor... every time I use the built-in screen, I'm struck by how insanely shiny it is and the glare is distracting. But this new laptop seems "normal" instead of annoying. I'll update this when I've had a chance to try it during the daytime.

 

I got the Matte 95% CG one and I love it. I don't have a normal one to compare it to though. I'm sure the normal one is fine and will suit all your needs. But the upgrade is realllly nice too.

 

Yeah, the stock screen is fine, only vertical viewing angles are horrible. I just wasn't ready to part with ~$200 for a different screen. I'm actually considering buying a nice 20" 1080p monitor anyhow and using that hooked to my laptop. Spend the money on a regular monitor that I can use for more than just my laptop since my laptop stays in the same place 80% of the time, the other times the screen isn't that bad.

 

If you are just going with blind faith, and have not had any experience with higher gamut monitors, then no, you should not get it, especially for $200+cost of stock screen.

With that money, you are better off buying a decent external monitor that you can use with other devices.

Looking at the Screen Comparison thread, if you put a higher gamut screen next to one with lower gamut, the former is, of course, ALWAYS going to look better - no question about that. However, it does not necessarily mean the latter is suddenly horrendously bad. The fact that the side by side comparisons were done higher gamut (apples) vs lower gamut (oranges), the latter is going to make the former look better than it actually is, and vice versa. That is what skews consumer decisions.

 

For extreme gaming no price is too high.

 

Really, the only reason why I got it was that I work outside alot and that was the only 1080p matte option for Xotic at least.

 

Of course it's worth the money. The 95% Matte screen is awesome.

I went with a screen upgrade on the 17", because it really does make a significant difference. My games look more beautiful than they would, on a lesser screen. Even games, which are lesser graphically, benefit from the wider palette of colors.

When you have a GPU that can max everything, it deserves a screen that takes full advantage.

Ignorance is truly bliss.

 

Hehe... I'm trying to stay ignorant on this one... but the truth is, I do like to have nice things and my original order included the 90% gamut glossy from Xoticpc. When I learned I had to wait longer, and might not have it by my vacation date, and then the dead pixel problems with low stock... I cancelled that order. I told myself I'd live with the stock screen until maybe the end of the year. After receiving it and expecting much worse quality, I started wondering how much I cared to replace this one. My real gotcha will be trying to play dark games... I'm gonna have to eat my words, huh?

 

Wait, where's the 95% matte screen?

 

Sorry for the confusion. The first and second sentences are unrelated.

Seeing the 95% on the 15" inspired me to buy the 90% 17in screen. Both look so good.

I can't say. The low contrast ratio might be an issue.

 

Did anyone use this source?
No contact info, no address?

AU Optronics B156HW01 V.4 Screen | AU Optronics B156HW01 V.4 LCD Screen

Does anyone know where else can I get this LCD panel (B156HW01 V4)?

 

You can buy them on Ebay

 

^ Oh, crap. I wasn't using search right. Thanks a bunch!

What's the difference between V.5 and V.4?
V.5 is glossy?

 

Yup. V5 is glossy.

 

I have the screen upgrade.

No joke, this is, without a doubt, one of the prettiest displays I have ever seen.

Colors are rich and vibrant, plus I don't have to look at my mug in the screen reflection!

 

NOP. V5 is matte, V4 is glossy

 

That is true for the B173HW01 line, but they are talking about the B156HW01.

 

wait so v5 in the 8150 is glossy?
im confused...

 

reference?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...-between-different-screen-options-photos.html

 

I don't see the point of people spending thousands on upgrading to high-powered graphics cards etc when, ultimately, an upgrade to the screen would give you a much better improvement to the graphics you see. It's certainly worth it in my opinion.

 

I spent $245 extra to get the Radeon HD 6970M instead of the default GeForce GTX 460M. I can settle for a GOOD screen with less than average viewing angles instead of EXCELLENT screen with excellent viewing angles. What I care more about is SPEED... performance!! I'm a gamer and I have a large collection of high-end games that require more expensive video cards.

 

I just hook my np8170 up to my 32 inch sony bravia and i got the best black levels ever for my games.

 

A better screen does not take you from Medium to Ultra-High settings.

 

This is one of the dumbest posts I've ever seen.