VPC Z1 Screen failure rate - poll

I'm honestly a little sick (I get worried every time) of reading about the Z's FHD screen issues with dead pixels etc. Given that it's a machine with a price point > USD 2000, I completely understand how annoyed people get when they have to send it in, deal with sony warranty problems and receive the laptop in a more damaged state than sent in. It would be nice though to have some numbers (is this information already available somewhere?).

My question is this: How many people have *not* had any problems with their screens? As an owner of a new Z for about 1 month, I'm really trying to not be so worried. If it is really as bad as it seems from reading the many threads here, then I'll do a better job of babying it (if I'm not already doing it).

Thanks for all your responses!

(I was mostly intending this for the FHD screen, since I figure the failure rate is higher, however the regular screen is fine).

 

I'd recommend a hard case. If anything, it just gives me peace of mind when I'm transporting the laptop in my backpack.

 

You do realize that most people here don't have dead screens/bad pixels and that the only reason you hear of it is because those that do have dead pixels post more often than those that don't. Also look at how many people create accounts just to post a problem on these forums. For most people, the only reason to be on these forums is when they encounter a problem or fear a problem (unlike yourself).

 

Owned the Z for roughly 5 months (bought it in Dec 6, 2010), and no problems so far. I treat it very well and it did not run into any big trouble yet (no dropping, spillage, etc.). I was given a microfibre cloth along my purchase, and it never left my Z when its closed. Provided that you take care of it well, you shouldn't run into big problems.

 

Bought the VPCZ day it came out so i've owned it over a year now, 0 screen problems at all.(knock on wood). Warranty has run out too so hopefully i'll continue w/o any..

 

Just under 6 months.

Sony VPC-Z128GG.

Vertical line of dead (or bright) pixels, running all the way from top to bottom of LCD panel, one pixel wide.

Assessed by authorised service centre. Entire screen panel replaced. Took 2 days to order the part in (I kept using the notebook) and half a day to replace.

Am I happy? Not really. But I do have a new screen. 1080p panel. Hopefully this won't happen again but my Z128 isn't quite as precious as it used to be.

 

Yes you make a great point, the sample space here is clearly not representative of the majority of Z owners.

However, I do think a lot of people created accounts here because
1) They are trying to learn more about various laptop models before a purchase, a claim supported by the number of threads surrounding "what laptop should I buy" (this is the category I fall into).
2) They just got the new laptop and want to figure out how to trick it out properly. If it was a $300 TV, then maybe not, but a >$2000 laptop is gonna attract a certain enthusiast crowd.
3) They have a minor problem, such as a software problem.
4) They are having a hardware issue, but not pertaining to the screen.

But I do agree with you, and I'd venture to say the results of the poll will be skewed anywhere from 2-3 times as many people reporting broken screens compared to everyone else (just a guess of course). But, at least we might get some interesting statistics rather than 15 page threads scaring the ___ out of people!

On a side note, I'm also curious if this problem is a product of
1) Sony's manufacturing.
2) The density of pixels on such a small screen.
3) The relative technological "immaturity" of FHD 13 inch displays in mass production.

Maybe this happens on lots of FHD displays? I really have no idea. What is clear though is that Sony appears (I have no experience) to be a really pain in the *** to deal with when it comes to warranty claims. However, some other posters have reported in the end they got back a properly functioning display.

 

1) LCDs in the Z are all Toshiba.
2) Every smartphone nowadays has a more than 3x higher pixel density
3) There is
very good contrast/brightness, great color gamut, good brightness uniformity
VS
horizontal 'ghost line' issues in some rare cases, TN-dependent limited viewing angle, thin+flexible construction prone to damage when high lid pressure applied.

Very, very hard to tell wether the Z's screen is worse than the average laptop screen (quality- and reliability-wise).

 

You gotta consider the fact that the Full HD panel has ~100% more pixels (double the amount of pixels) than that of a 720p screen* and the 1600x900 has about 35% more pixels than a 720p screen*.

Taking that into account, let's assume that all the panels and all the pixels have the same chance of failure. Therefore, anyone with a 1080p screen has about double the chance of a dead pixel and anyone with a 900p screen has a 35% higher chance of a dead pixel as compared to a 720p screen.

Now the 1080p screens and the 900p screens of the Vaio Z are much more complicated than let's say a 1080p screen of a 17" desktop replacement because you're packing the same amount of pixels into a significantly smaller LCD (and have you seen how thin the Z is?), that being said, there's bound to be a higher chance of failure, etc.

so,
1) What pyr0 said, they're Toshiba screens
2) I think it's more a matter of the amount of pixels as compared to a 720p screen. (Pyr0 is correct in that cell phones have a higher PPI, but they've a lot less pixels to deal with ie. a 1080p screen has 5.4 times more pixels than my 480x800 N900)
3) Probably true, but probably also just the intricacies of just having that much more pixels on the same surface area as some other low density screens will add more to the failure rate than just an increased amount of pixels (and their individual failure rates)

*I mean, 720p = 1366x768

 

I have the exact same problem with my vpc-z1290x.

 

Does my Z790 have the same screen as Z1?

 

Nope. It's different.

 

Can somebody explain the difference in screens on Sony Z720 and Z1? Thanks!

 

Z720 --> VGN-Z
Z1 --> VPC-Z

Main differences are:

1) VPC-Z screens are slightly glossier than the VGN-Z screens
2) VGN-Z screens are more saturated (less "natural") than the VPC-Z screens

 

I'd like to learn more about the using habits of those who actually do find problems with their screens. How much (out of a scale of 10, the more the better) care do you rate yourself for treating your laptop? What type of bag do you put it in (thin, thick, soft, etc.)? Do you exert any type of pressure on the screen? Do you put a microfibre cloth in between the screen and the keyboard?

 

I've not had problems with the screen, I'd give my self a 10 out of 10 for handling. I don't put a cloth between the screen and keyboard because they don't touch... but I do put my laptop in a padded bag inside of a hard briefcase. I never squeeze the laptop when closed, I grab it by the extended battery that protrudes and gives me a nice handle to grip. I had another thought also. Failure rate may have something to do with use of the screen. What I mean is that I use the laptop all the time, it is on almost 24 hours a day, BUT the screen is rarely on, most of the time it is docked with an external monitor or projector. Since I don't use the hybrid drivers the screen shuts completely off.

 

Thanks for the response. I'm bringing my attention back to the Z's screen problems because some random idiot put his laptop bag on top of my Z (which was also in a laptop bag, albeit not a very strong one). However, I see 10 school Macbook Pros stacked upon one another in the school library so I'm quite relieved that it's not my Z that's at the bottom , and thankfully, my Z's screen is still in good condition. I suppose a combined 18kg of force is scarier than a measly 2 kg laptop placed in a laptop bag.

Personally I'd give myself a 8.5/10 for handling my Z. I do not clean the keyboard and occasionally I fool around with the eject button and the expresscard slot when I'm too bored (like keep pushing it in and out, lol). I do put a microfibre cloth inbetween the screen and the keyboard though, as recommended by the Sonystyle staff on the day I purchased my Z. My laptop stays on for roughly 10 hours a day, and the screen is turned on for 6 or 7 hours per day.

 

10/10 for handling.

The notebook is handled very carefully at all times. Never dropped, opened carefully and a radtech cloth protecting between keyboard and screen. Protected in a M3C hard case or either the Sony leather or Waterfield SF bag in a briefcase (yes, I have a lot of different cases!)

I have had no loose screen hinge problems (although i did ask the service tech to add locktite last time he took it apart).

My 1080p screen had a vertical line of complete bright pixels, probably a connection problem on that pixel line within 6 months of purchase. Screen took half a week to arrive but tech managed to replace the whole screen within half a day.

Left lots of fingerprints to clean up!

Am I satisfied with the Sony service? Yes, as I didn't have to argue to get it replaced and had little downtime (the half day). Annoyed? Yes. Was it Sony's fault? On this occassion, probably not.

We don't have on-site or courier pickup and delivery for Sony where I live which is annoying.

 

Hmm, it's been quite a while since comments have been posted on this thread. My Z has endured quite a bit of damage lately (having a pile of books dropped on it, being stepped on with screen faced up, luckily in both cases it was in my rather weak laptop bag) but the screen still remained in one piece and there are still NO dead pixels!

Since some have reported issues even with a minor bump I guess this issue might surface from the manufacturing of the screens themselves. Really depends if you get lucky and your Z gets a good panel and is very reliable. Otherwise, for those who're less lucky might receive a slightly defective one and have a troublesome affair to deal with Sony's repair service.

Also, this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEfQHNQLxMU is quite reassuring since a considerable amount of pressure is applied to that lid (and you can clearly see it dent). I suppose the screen is still functional after that, so I probably shouldn't worry about the unfortunate incidents my Z has encountered before >_>

Oh, off topic. I agree with tanalasta, the fingerprints are really a bugger. I'm actually planning to wear out the whole keyboard so I don't notice it!

 

Survived perfectly about 2 years with this VPC-Z119X until screen problems started showing. 10/10 on care as it stayed in a special, padded pouch in my backpack during travels if not resting on a desktop.

Fixed loose right hinge a few months ago. Now there's a growing batch of dead pixels on the bottom-right side of the screen growing in a vertical line upwards.

Only thing I could possibly blame is the recent Nook Color that was resting LCD-side in the padded pouch these last few months. However, with the way it's now growing, looks like stress-fracturing from the really-stiff hinges.