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XPS M140 - Really disappointed...

post #1 of 18
2/15/06 at 11:47pm
Thread Starter 
I got my M140 last night and I can't use it for more than about 10 minutes without getting a headache and eyestrain from the way the screen looks on a white background like MS Word or web browsing. I love the size and look of the thing and the performance seems really good too, but there is just no way I'm gonna be able to use this everyday at school with the screen the way it is.

The viewing angle is really bad too - if I pull up a full screen Notepad window on it, the contrast is so bad that I can barely see the bottom scroll-bar. If I move my head I can get it too show up a little, but that's ridiculous to expect people to do that every time.

Is the Inspiron 6000 I was considering against the M140 going to have this problem as well? I'm extremely wary of getting another Dell system now just because I know I can't look at it first before reordering, waiting another 2 weeks, possibly not liking that one too etc. Didn't hear of any complaints like this before I ordered in the thread I started about it here: http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=132815

The thing is the perfect size for me, this really pisses me off that I'm gonna have to go to something a lot bigger now if I stay with Dell.

Anyone willing to recommend something non-Dell in the 14.1" form factor?

Thanks,
Ryan
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post #2 of 18
2/16/06 at 12:07am
You must be really sensitive to your viewing angle. I have no problems with mine.
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post #3 of 18
2/16/06 at 12:11am
If you got the money, go Sony FJ. Ive seen one in person and its a joy to use. For $1300 its a bit pricey depending on your budget but it comes loaded [100gb, 512mb, dvd-rw, 1.7ghz PM]
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post #4 of 18
2/16/06 at 12:56am
Take some time and tweak the system to suit your needs. Personally, I prefer a darker background and larger font size. These old eyes don't see so good anymore... I like mine fine now. In fact, I don't believe I'd rather have any other notebook out there...
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post #5 of 18
2/16/06 at 1:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by daedalus34r
If you got the money, go Sony FJ. Ive seen one in person and its a joy to use. For $1300 its a bit pricey depending on your budget but it comes loaded [100gb, 512mb, dvd-rw, 1.7ghz PM]
How's the battery life on the FJ? That's the other thing I really don't want to have to give up with the 140 - the battery goes forever on this thing.
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post #6 of 18
2/16/06 at 9:23am
Can't complain about my monitor - didn't choose the true-life option however. Seems if you choose True-Life chances are high that you get a crappy Samsung SEC monitor with only around 113cd. My AUO in the 140/630m is supposed to have 200cd but I think it is rather around 140. In bright sunlight and snow around I have to sit parallel to lightly against the sun to still get a decent view, otherwise the display is nice. Why don't you just ask for a monitor exchange? THE QSD displays are supposed to be even better than AUO but I can't complain.
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post #7 of 18
2/16/06 at 1:12pm
Thread Starter 
What's involved in asking for a screen change and who exactly do I call/email? I read the other thread about display problems and it sounds as if you can't pick between the 3 makes of screen when you get a replacement and likely end up getting another SEC monitor...

Ryan
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post #8 of 18
2/16/06 at 1:29pm
I bet your problem is the glossy finish (i have the same problems). Trade it in for a 6000 WSXGA screen and I bet your problems are solved.

Suggestions
1. Check for light behind you.
2. Use a desk lamp behind the computer to provide more light.
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post #9 of 18
2/17/06 at 2:47am
Thread Starter 
I took the machine to class today and was sitting out on the mall with the WiFi - the glare is just unbelievable outside. I felt like I was looking at a mirror the whole time. Sorry for all the negativity on this, but I definitely wouldn't get this screen again. Gonna call Dell tomorrow and find out what my options are as far as either swapping for the non-TrueLife screen or returning it alltogether and getting something else...

Thanks,
Ryan
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post #10 of 18
2/17/06 at 6:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tabs
I got my M140 last night and I can't use it for more than about 10 minutes without getting a headache and eyestrain from the way the screen looks on a white background like MS Word or web browsing. I love the size and look of the thing and the performance seems really good too, but there is just no way I'm gonna be able to use this everyday at school with the screen the way it is.

The viewing angle is really bad too - if I pull up a full screen Notepad window on it, the contrast is so bad that I can barely see the bottom scroll-bar. If I move my head I can get it too show up a little, but that's ridiculous to expect people to do that every time.

Is the Inspiron 6000 I was considering against the M140 going to have this problem as well? I'm extremely wary of getting another Dell system now just because I know I can't look at it first before reordering, waiting another 2 weeks, possibly not liking that one too etc. Didn't hear of any complaints like this before I ordered in the thread I started about it here: http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=132815

The thing is the perfect size for me, this really pisses me off that I'm gonna have to go to something a lot bigger now if I stay with Dell.

Anyone willing to recommend something non-Dell in the 14.1" form factor?

Thanks,
Ryan
actualy if you look at the size specs at dell, you wont find alot of difference in size between the m140 and the 6000, you'll def like the bigger screen, what resolution did you get? wuxga or something??? the higher the resolution, the smaller the text, on a 15.4 inch screen anything beyond wsxga resolution (1680x1050) is not very comforatble on the eyes at all,
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post #11 of 18
2/17/06 at 3:26pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cutters
actualy if you look at the size specs at dell, you wont find alot of difference in size between the m140 and the 6000, you'll def like the bigger screen, what resolution did you get? wuxga or something??? the higher the resolution, the smaller the text, on a 15.4 inch screen anything beyond wsxga resolution (1680x1050) is not very comforatble on the eyes at all,
The screen on the M140 is standard WXGA 1280X800... I'm super hesitant to exchange this for an i6000 without having seen one though. There is no Dell Store or even a mall kiosk in the entire state of Arizona, which is insane considering how big Phoenix is now.
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post #12 of 18
2/18/06 at 12:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tabs
There is no Dell Store or even a mall kiosk in the entire state of Arizona, which is insane considering how big Phoenix is now.
Yah! What the hell?
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post #13 of 18
2/19/06 at 3:30am
Thread Starter 
Ok I think what I'm gonna do is return the M140 on Monday and just wait until the follow-on to the i6000 comes in a month or two... OR (lol) I could probably get a pretty well loaded i6000 now for super cheap.
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post #14 of 18
2/19/06 at 4:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cutters
on a 15.4 inch screen anything beyond wsxga resolution (1680x1050) is not very comforatble on the eyes at all,
Cutters, you are always saying that! The principal of setup for HD screens is a matter of degree; there is no cut-off point when one becomes impossible. If you prefer WSXGA over WXGA, then the likelyhood is that you will like WUXGA even more. Whatever the number of hardware pixels you have, the software has to be in sinc, otherwise things are going to be unpleasant. If the software is correctly setup, the more pixels the clearer the text. If you leave everything at the Microsoft factory settings for the "universal" screen, then sure, the fonts will be too small.
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post #15 of 18
2/20/06 at 6:35pm
Thread Starter 
Just got the return set up, took some hassling getting the restock fee waived, but I eventually got a nice woman from India to waive it.

Gonna go for the E1505/i6400 next month I think, should only be another 10 or 15 days before they're out if the predictions in that thread are accurate...
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post #16 of 18
2/21/06 at 11:14pm
the XPS M140 sucks. Return it. The Screen is TERRIBLE!


Definitely go with a I6000, a 710m or a E1505

The screens on the 710 and 6000 are a million times better. I recommend the SXGA+ screen on the I6000, a dream to look at.
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post #17 of 18
2/21/06 at 11:25pm
I have the same problem on my 6000d. My screen is always "too bright" and it always gives me a headache.
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post #18 of 18
2/22/06 at 1:50am
Thread Starter 
I'm just upset that apparently you won't be able to get a WSXGA+ on the 1505/6400 without TrueLife... I really wasn't pleased with the glare on the 140...
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