1.  Enter your Service Tag Number in https://support.dell.com/register.aspx

2.  Click "Configuration" folder somewhere left of your screen

3.  Click "Yes I Agree" to Dell Software License Agreement

4.  In SYSTEM PROFILER , click the "System As Shipped New" tab

5.  Presto .. I've got a Samsung!

---

@CMIVXX wrote:
Ok, I've heard a bunch of people saying that they're screen is Sharp, or Samsung.  How do you tell?  I received my 8600 about 2 weeks ago and am still trying to find this out.  Where do I look?

---

Ok, so I've got a hitachi as well...   Which is better?

Message Edited by CMIVXX on 10-06-2003 08:58 AM

Errrr.. Are you happy with it?

 That's all that matters....

:)

But supposedly the Hitachi are inferior screens compared to the Sharp and Samsung.

My Samsung LCD is just fine for me.   Can't complain, not that I've seen the Hitachi nor the Sharp.   But comparing this with others in local stores (Sony, Compaq, HP, Toshiba, etc), this is just fine.

Since there is no official response about this, one can only assume that they are keen for people to forget...

Yesterday I send Dell support an email asking why someof us are recieving inferior LCD screens (Hitachi) that don't even meet their own specs for Ultrasharp screens (contract ratio and response time).  I asked if they were going to replace our Hitachi screens with a Samsung or Sharp screen or if they were going to refund the price of the LCD.

All I got back was one of their canned responses.
"I would recommend you update the video drivers for the issue you are facing:"

Yea .. Like that will actually fix a hardware problem ... Dell needs to get off their fat a** and provide support ... God know I paid Dell enough money to deserve better than this ...

---

@DreamU wrote:

Dell Tech Support had a hard time finding the info but after 4 phone calls I encountered a technician who was able to answer the Hitachi LCD question. His response was that the listing of 'Hitachi' on my 'As Shipped New' was a typo error. No 8600 were shipped with a brand of 'Hitachi'. He says they all came with Samsung. To back up his statement he says he reviewed the kit which is part of the BOM [BOM stands for Bill of Materials which is what the factory uses to build products]. He gave me the Samsung Part #LTN154P1. I went to Samsung and typed it in the Search field, the output is as expected (300:1 contrast). Of-course the users on these boards have all indicated the Samsung is superior so there are no surprises in the specs for the Samsung. [Unfortunately, I did not ask if the BOM had been changed recently but my machine was only built a week ago].

My own attitude is, 'I could have a samsung'. It is clearly not as sharp or clear as the 5150 I returned a few weeks ago. But the 5150 is a 400:1 contrast ratio - I think the only DELL notebook with such a high ratio. The degradation I see may just be 400:1 versus 300:1 on the 8600. I consider my screen acceptable and don't intend to persue this any further.

---