Exchanging Inpiron 9200 with WUXGA screen problem

Question

After on the phone for at least one hour, the dell technicians arranged for delivery of a 'new' laptop (I hope it is not a refurb) and return of my just delivered 9200.   As been well described, the screen on the 9200 WUXGA is unacceptable with sparkle/dirt/grease antireflective coat on the screen.  The technician assured me that this was not a universal problem.  She and the supervisor had not heard about these problems.   I am not too hopeful about the new 9200.  All reports suggest that this is the 'norm' on the new 17 inch WUXGA screen.  If the new laptop has the same screen quality as the former, I will be returning for full refund.   I will be getting the new machine tomorrow and I will report my findings.    I am curious to hear about the Dell-Moderator 's opinion on this growing issue/problem.   It is a shame about the screen problem.  Otherwise, I love the computer.  The battery life, keyboard, noise level are all excellent.   Carl Park

inspiron9200 · Answer

Did the Dell technician and her supervisor really told you that they've never heard about this problem? Hmmm... Many of us who has recieved and returned the wuxga screen complained about the screen. I just wonder how much more are they gonna tell this to the others that has a 9200 with te wuxga screen???

chp5592 · Answer

Absolutely. They had never heard of it. It was a service center in India (I think by the accent). I think I'll be receiving the new computer tomorrow. I am hoping and hoping that the screen is different.

I am using the 9200 now and cannot get over how horrible this web site looks while I type this sentence. It was not a good choice by Dell to release this screen model.

Message Edited by chp5592 on 12-08-2004 06:47 PM

cmullins · Answer

It really is a shame - my new 9200 with the WUXGA screen has the same issue. The screen is just horrible - it's all sparkley and reflective, and it makes everything difficult to read.   I sure hope Dell has a solution soon, or I'm going to be forced to return my Inspiron. I just can't look at the screen 8 hours per day. I was really hoping for a larger version of my 8500 screen...   -- Chris Mullins

jherber · Answer

i'm just curious (since i am considering a 9200) what resolution is your screen set at when you notice this effect? thanks, jim

anettis · Answer

I think the reported problem is only with the WUXGA screen. From what I have heard the WXGA+ screen looks great. I am probably going to get a 9200 configured with a WXGA+ myself. I actually think that the WUXGA screen are a little too high resolution for most people.

To compensate most of these laptops are running at 120 or 144 DPI, which unknown to many people is not fully supported by Windows XP, and thus some websites and applications do not render screens properly. The alternative - running a WUXGA screen at 96 DPI, is somewhat hard on the eyes, unless you stay very close to the screen.

Message Edited by anettis on 12-09-2004 04:30 PM

frankel · Answer

Jim, it's the LCD. It has some kind of an anti-reflective coating on it that makes the whole screen sparkle.   The sparkle isn't in the 'image' it's on the surface of the LCD so it looks strange and your eyes end up focusing on it... The best way I can describe it is that it's like those image games where you focus your eyes just right and you can see some 3d picture. Well the LCD background kinda looks like that. It gives me a headache and it makes solid colors like white look like they have dust all over them.   The problem has nothing to do with resolution, brightness, contrast, etc. It is an artifact of the physical LCD hardware.

AYeager · Answer

I have the same issue, i thought at first for some reason that maybe it was a driver issue?.. but I guess not I just recieved a my 9200 this week and I will be making a call to customer care for sure...    I had high hopes on my dell, and the system is great.. but the screen is an even greater let down.   ugh   Ayeager

chp5592 · Answer

just received my new Inspiron. I am actually using the computer side to side (new and "old)

The sparkle still exists in the new model but it is slightly less (definitely slightly less).

I guess this is a system wide problem but occurs to a different degree. I'll have to see if this is acceptable before returning both computers within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Nirolf · Answer

So chp5592, Are you going to keep the second one?

I just received mine 2 days ago and I'm pretty happy with it. It had 120 dpi when I first turned it on, and had some blurry icons and fonts, but once I changed it to 96 dpi it was perfect.

jherber · Answer

finally had a chance to view a 9200 screen. i saw the "sparkle", "smearing", and "grit" everyone is talking about. and, i agree that it is slightly distracting.

i believe either either coating or manufacturing process of the glass panel has a purposely "roughed" or "jagged" surface. the random jags and shapes allowing the panel to refract light in all directions, thus increasing the viewing angle.

dell would be wise to offer this as an option, because not everyone is interested in trading clarity for group viewing capability.

jim

chp5592 · Answer

I have decided to return this big big disappointments. The screens of both computers are horrible and I get a major headache working with them.

Too bad, because, I love my I300m and I was hoping for a nice outcome here.

They however apologized and did not charge for return shipping. They still denied any system wide problems

pasq_uale · Answer

i also just recevied my 9200 wuxga. The screen glitter effect is aweful. It looks like a plastic 3d hologram effect.

After 1 day of using it I realized something.......The stupid glitter effect on the screen matches the glitter effect on the case. Maybe this was all a marketing idea to make the screen match the case for a fashion statement.

I tried covering the glittering case to see if it was a reflection but it did not help.

This is otherwise a good machine. I really lilke the 1920x1200 reolsution on a 17" screen with 96dpi fonts.

I'm returning it though since the screen glitter is too distracting.

AYeager · Answer

I called dell like I said last night, after 2 hours on the phone, they gave me a DPS number to return the laptop for 'repair'...  the return was to a third party though, a company called selectron in Newmarket, ON (Canada)...  when I dropped off the laptop, and the receptionist was taking my information, I opened the laptop and turned it on to show the lady behind the counter what I was talking about....  first thing she said.. 'oh my god... that can't be right'  so here's hoping that this is going to be communicated..... will report back on monday when I do a follow call to check the status...   Anth.

anettis · Answer

Some of your might want to consider trying out the lower resolution screen.  Based on what I have read in the message boards people are very happy with them and I have not heard any mention of the sparkling effect.  Granted they are not as high of resolution, but to be honest I think that 1920 pixels across is too high for a viewing area that size anyway (at least until Longhorn comes out that fully supports setting a DPI highter than 96). Message Edited by anettis on 12-11-2004 09:16 AM

pasq_uale · Answer

I also explored the 'repair' route and dell tech support told me that the best they could do is exchange it or replace the screen. Its clear (unlike the screen) that they have never seen the screen and have not read any of these posts. Its all new news to them. Please let me know what the 'repaired' screen looks like. I fear waiting too long to return this machine.

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