Thanks Jeff:

I did use a screen cleaner, designed exclusively for removing dirt, oil smudges and fingerprints.  Says to be used on monitors, notebooks, and PDA screens. Doesn't say laptops, but I'm not sure if a notebook is the same type of screen as the laptop. Says it has Isopropyl Alcohol as the main component. Screen has a few streaks on it, but not bad. Glad I asked, as I thought for sure, I might have missed taking a protective cover off the screen.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your imput.

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@glassparman wrote:

Hi:

 

I just purchased a Inspiron 600m and the screen sharpness isn't the greatest. Is there by any chance a protective transparent  sheet placed over the screen for shipping purposes? I tried to clean the screen with a screen cleaner and it looks streaked, which  makes me think it is a piece of plastic/vinyl. When I put my finger on it, it feels like a soft vinyl film, rather than a hard glass service. I put my fingernail up in the corners to see if it would peel off and it doesn't come off, as it looks like it goes under the frame.  Is this how screens are on laptops? Soft rather than a hard glass finish? This is my first laptop. Appreciate any thoughts.

 

Thanks

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It is not glass it is a plastic and you can not use windex or any other household cleaner on it.It will ruin your display unless it is a LCD cleaner which i have never used before the only thing i ever use is a very soft dry cloth with a drop or two of water never any type of cleaner or paper towels or napkins.

Good Luck i hope you diddnt ruin your display.

Inspiron XPS Gen 2
770 (2.13 GHz/2MB Cache/533 MHz Fsb
6800 ultra
2 GIG's Ram
17 "(1920 x1200) WUXGA Display ( Samsung )
OS Windows XP Pro sp2
Logitech MX 1000 Cordless Mouse
Nostromo n52 Game pad 

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@glassparman wrote:

Thanks Jeff:

I did use a screen cleaner, designed exclusively for removing dirt, oil smudges and fingerprints.  Says to be used on monitors, notebooks, and PDA screens. Doesn't say laptops, but I'm not sure if a notebook is the same type of screen as the laptop. Says it has Isopropyl Alcohol as the main component. Screen has a few streaks on it, but not bad. Glad I asked, as I thought for sure, I might have missed taking a protective cover off the screen.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your imput.

---

It said it can be used on notebooks which a notebook and laptop are the same some people call them notebooks and some refer to them as laptops.So i think you will be ok but as i mentioned i never use anything but a very soft cloth for dust and for smuges and when it is a little more dirtier with finger prints i just use the soft cloth with a couple drops of water and it has always worked just fine. I am just skeptical about using any kind of cleaner because i don't think it is nesisarry and the soft cloth and a drop of water work just fine.

Inspiron XPS Gen 2
770 (2.13 GHz/2MB Cache/533 MHz Fsb
6800 ultra
2 GIG's Ram
17 "(1920 x1200) WUXGA Display ( Samsung )
OS Windows XP Pro sp2
Logitech MX 1000 Cordless Mouse
Nostromo n52 Game pad

Jeff:

Thanks again for your thoughts regarding the cleaning of my laptop (notebook) screen. I could have been in big trouble, if I had tried to remove the plastic film. I never knew,  the screen was a different material than the glass desk top monitors. I looked in the "Owner's Manual" and it really didn't say anything about the screen, unless, I just didn't look hard enough or missed it. So glad I asked.

Great message board.

Thanks again,

Bob (Glassparman)

glassparman,

First of all if your portable is new and under warranty you should first direct this question to Dell's tech support via telephone, not a fun deal.

If there is a shipping film protector on the screen it should be noticeable, possibly with writing on it. Mine came with such a protectant.

As far as cleaning any display don't use any home type window cleaner. Amonia is a killer of display screens.

The key ingredient in display cleaners is Isopropyl Alcohol which can be purchased in most drug stores. Just mix a small amount with some water and clean using something soft.

You can purchase display handy wipes that come in individual foil packets that are made specifically for this purpose. They can be purchased from the Zee Medical Group. This is what I use. They look like condom packets and are easy to carry with your lappy. Check their website, the packets are there.

Some LCD screens have an anti glare coating on them that have a non smooth feel to them, some don't.

The hard thing with a lappy is keeping the screen clean as your always touching it when open the cover or lid. The handy wipes mentioned above work great and are easy to carry in the lappy bag or case.

Hi: I thought about calling them direct and then I saw somewhere, where they said to go to the message boards. I got a fast response from Jeff and he was very helpful. I think it is just the screen, as they was no plastice protector saying "removing this before using."  I think it has the anti-glarescreen on it. I think I'm OK with it now.

Thanks, 

Hi:

I checked out my screen resolution and it is set at 96 DPI. I think I'm OK with this now.

Thanks,