to all Dell Notebook users re: light leakage

The phrase "depending on your tolerance" pretty much sums it up. Something you do have to think about is just how much draw Dell gets from it's great screens anyway. Dell has more volume (i.e. more ppl to bitch about something/anything) than others, so it happens. Usually Dell has no problems helping those who are "light leakage sensitive". I've bought 4 different Dell laptops and have experienced this:

When I first get a laptop, I get scared everytime by the light leakage, but it DOES in fact go away through time of normal use. Whether it is by "getting used to it" or some theory contrived by a member on the boards here, i just know it works (leakage goes away).

My overall opinion: People are picky because of the money they spend on a really good laptop, and light leakage is a common complaint that many don't want to wait for time to clear up. Face it - LCD's suck but are the only thing which laptops use at the moment, so 'sparkle', 'light leakage', and other things are going to be common. I just hope OLCD's (or whatever they are called) will make all the difference on the next generations of laptops. Til then, XPS Gen 2 has the best display IMO.

Your situation -
Entirely choice. How do you feel about it? Send it in and wait for another one? Deal with what you have and watch the leakage go away? Let the time of your warranty take its course to see if your problems go away before it's up?

Mine was what I term moderate when I first got it(in April.) It was still tolerable in my opinion and I am fairly picky(not send it back 10 times picky like some others here.) Now the light leakage is barely noticable, even in a completely dark room. It is not my imagination or getting used to it, it is MUCH better. It definitely does improve with time. The only other issue I have is one pixel that is stuck blue.

well im typing this up on my i9300, i have brightness/color issues at the moment. There is a light leakage present, it's not the awful double light leakage (top and bottom) it's just small on the bottom. I had to look for it, even in the dark, lol. It's all kool cuz I don't focus on it, I guess I have a high tolerance because mine looks a little like the guy whos got a topic up right now about his 4th-5th Dell screen replacement.

it seem like the dark corners and lightleakage is gone... or maybe I got used to it..

Mine's getting better

When i first got my laptop light leakage was the only thing even close to wrong with it. the screen was just absolutely amazing. I don't even think my light leakage was that bad to begin with, it was noticable when the whole room was dark but that was about it. I've had it for 3 months and now i think my light leakage is almost totally gone, i don't even notice it in the dark unless i'm specifically looking for it. I haven't just gotten used to it, its a lot better then it was when i got it. I'm so glad i didn't return my.

DUDE< the light leakage will dissipate but this takes a few weeks to a month or so depending on usage.
Here's a link for some color/brightness adjustments that will make your panel look great. Be sure to find out which panel you have, LG or Samsung by using your service tag number at dell/support enter the tag number and click on "original system configuration" there is listed all your hardware including manufacturer and model number of your LCD panel.
http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=79328