Should I pay $220 for v4 upgrade without guarantee?

Ok... I am sourcing AUO B173HW01 V4 90% Gamut for my upcoming NP8170 right now. It seem most suppliers don't have A+ grade (no defective pixel) in stock. I was left to three options

1. $220 AUO B173HW01 V4 through Xotic upgrade but they can't guarantee on defective pixel since their stock is low. Also, I will not be receiving the stock LG panel.

2. $170 for AUO B173HW01 V5 Matte 72% Gamut A+ grade (no defective pixel) shipped from Taiwan. I get to keep the LG panel as a spare or put it on eBay.

3. Just settle on the stock LG panel for now. Eventually V4 will be back in stock or even better alternative.

I personally like matte finish but it appears v4 glossy is a better panel on spec, higher brightness, contrast and gamut. Since I will never use this laptop outdoor, I would like to get the best spec possible.

 

I would go with option 2 because you get a spare and can make a profit if sold on ebay.

 

Ya that sounds like a good plan. Go with # 2 and if the screen just doesn't cut it for you down the road, you can sell both screens and make enough money to buy the 90% Gamut screen and have some $ left over.

 

You actually made a very good point. I guess this is the best route financially.

I have seen the B173HW01 V4 in person and is pleased with the performance. But since I haven't see V5 review posted by anyone... I really don't know what to expect.

Another thing that bugs is that V5 has almost the same spec as the stock LG LP173WF1 on paper (500 contrast , 72% Gamut) but bit brighter. I don't care too much about viewing angle.

Can v5 owners here post their thought on v5 vs stock LG? Do you see a huge improvement on color representation?

 

Also, does anyone know if a new panel is coming out as a replacement to AUO B173HW01?

 

I heard there was one, but haven't seen any information/timeline regarding it.

 

where can I find more about these monitors? including 15"...and also see different versions...? do they have a website with all these info?

 

I love my V5 but then again I prefer a matte display over glossy/glare. The color representation is better than the default LG but I never could really get the LG to the point that I felt comfortable with the colors. You may say you don't care about viewing angles but you -absolutely- will care when your only angle is directly in-front of the screen --- and I mean DIRECTLY in front =). I absolutely hated the abysmal viewing angles of the LG. I spent most of the first week of ownership adjusting the screen (manually and through the nVidia settings) and then getting frustrated. My only real complaint with my 8170 was the LG screen.

 

http://www.yslcd.com.tw/docs/product/B173HW01 V.4.pdf

v.4 glossy
V.5 matte

I will post spec for v.5 once I am in my office. In short, v.5 has the same spec as v.5 except 500:1 contrast instead of 600:1 and 72% gamut instead of 90%. same brightness and viewing angle.

I personally prefer matte over glossy. But v.4 do have better spec on paper. Some said you can install a matte film onto the glossy screen. But this will always degrade your contrast, brightness and degrade color accuracy by a small percentage.

I placed my order with this Taiwan seller last night and was promised a v.5 with no defective pixel ($170 shipped via fedex). Let's see how this turn out. If he sent me anything less than a perfect panel, it goes back to him and full refund on both way shipping.

Assuming I can sell the stock lg for $100, the upgrade only cost me $70 with no extra waiting time and free dead pixel guarantee

 

I bought my V5 from screenintaipei on ebay. Perfect transaction, well packaged and no dead pixels.

 

same here I think he still have 2 A+ left