How likely are dead pixels?

How good are the laptop screens from sony? Whats the likely hood of dead pixels when bought?

 

That is what worries me most when I buy a new notebook.

 

I own 3 Sony notebooks and another one that I had to return for an issue unrelated to the display. Not one of them have dead pixels.

Having said that, you should purchase from a store that allows a return with no restocking fees. SonyStyle US offers such an option which is why I always buy from them even though it costs me more.

 

I had received my FZ with uneven LCD backlighting.

 

My Z had a dead pixel in a week. Maybe it was my bad luck. I returned it.

 

I thought Sony wouldn't let you return a notebook due to just one dead pixel?

 

What the norm says

What the norm says

The ISO 13406-2 norm defines 4 classes of screens. The strictest and best one, “class 1”, allows no defects. The worst, “class 4” authorizes up to 549 malfunctions for a 15” screen, and 1344 pixels and faulty sub-pixels on a 20” screen. Fortunately no manufacturers use this class. Almost all manufacturers use class 2 to establish their warranties:


Practical case : Sony

Sony strictly applies the ISO Class II norm. Their 17” monitors are equipped with 1280 x 1024 panels and have: 1280 x 1024 = 1 310 720 pixels.

Type 1 : 2 x 1 310 720 / 1 000 000 = 2,62144 dead pixels allowed
Type 2 : 2 x 1 310 720 / 1 000 000 = 2,62144 dead pixels allowed
Type 3 : 5 x 1 310 720 / 1 000 000 = 6,5536 dead pixels allowed

So for type 1 errors, 2,62144 white pixels would be tolerated.
2 white pixels, Sony will not exchange the screen.
3 white pixels, the maximum number of faulty pixels is exceeded, Sony exchanges your screen.

So according to this rule Sony would exchange your screen if you have:

# 3 white pixels, or
# 3 black pixels, or
# 7 faulty sub pixels

However, if your screen has two white pixels, two black pixels and six faulty sub pixels, Sony could say that they are still within the norm and refuse to exchange your screen.

 

I think it's criminal to allow someone to spend all that money (Vaios are considerably more expensive than other brands) and say, "Sorry, your one dead pixel is within our standards".

It's like buying a brand new showroom car with one chip on the bonnet. Not right. This goes for all computer brands.

 

That's life in the big city

 

I thought SonyStyle would accept a return just because you don't like it.

 

U have 30 days to return it

 

So, the answer is if your laptop has a dead pixel, instead of saying dead pixel over the phone, just say you don't like it and you can return it and get a full refund, right?

 

Yes don't mention the problem

 

Wish that was the case in New Zealand. I don't think Sony NZ or other countries has that return policy apart from the US (?)

 

However u have to pay for return shipping

 

No worries with return shipping as long as you can get your money back. I have just e-mailed Sony NZ to find out what their returns policy is.

 

Go to SONY site and read TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE (NZ)

 

It says nothing about change of mind situations really. I will wait and see what they come back with.

 

That's for repairs from all stores and all Vaios, not the 30-day guarantee return from Sonystyle.com.