Any looked into replacing the 8204 screen with a brighter one? - Page 2

About one month ago I bought an Acer 8204. From the minute I opened it, I was disappointed with the display. I thought it was dim, unclear/crisp and too small (resolution). Like everybody else I played around with the color settings and managed to get it better, but still disappointed. I was very close to sending it back, but I kept on trying to like it.

My laptop is mostly used for person use. I don’t use it for work (I used to but my company provided an IBM laptop and I only use that now). The laptop sits on the glass table in the living room. I usually sit on the couch and use it from there. I also like to lie on couch and look over and play around.

My biggest problem with the Acer was the resolution. 1680 x 1050 makes things so small. This was my first laptop with a resolution different that 1024 x 768. Because everything was so small it really made it hard to relax on the sofa and see the screen. I kind of got use to the dimness, but I had to be sitting right in front of it to easily see everything and use it. Even then, it was still small.

I was trying to figure out what my options were. Return it, get a different display or get an external monitor. I also looked at the new Sony and they were really nice. But I really like the power of the Acer and I like the extra screen space, just not the small size.

So, what I ended up doing was getting a Dell 20’ widescreen display.
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/P...ctlisting.aspx

Before I bought I actually took my laptop to the local mall where there was a Dell Kiosk with the monitor on display. They let me hook it up to the display so I could see how it would look. It was amazing! I ordered one right there. Plus, it was on sale for 439 – probably could have gotten a little more off with coupon, but I was happen. I also order external speakers that hang from the monitor.
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/P...n&cs=19&pos=0&

I also got a wireless mouse and keyboard from MS. Now, I have my new widescreen sitting in the middle of the table, with only the wireless keyboard and mouse. I moved the laptop to the back of the table. I guess you could say that the laptop is not really being used as a laptop, but I now love the setup. I can see this baby very easy. Crystal clear picture, nice and big, and lots real-estate! From reading around this is the monitor that the Apple Cinemas use.

I took some pictures, but my old camera uses a media type that the Acer doesn’t except (jeeze, I thought it supported everything)

I don't think it's that easy. I think screen tek modifies the original screen by themselves. That might or might not fix the brightness/angle issue. I specifically asked them for a replacement screen to improve the brightness, the reply was no go. The CrystalBright option was not even mentioned. This is where they are talking about modifying screens - take a look at this link:
http://www.screentekinc.com/acer-cry...-screens.shtml

OK, I have confirmed it. 10 minutes 6 screws - Samsung LTN154P1-L02. Grey lines, crappy angles, decent brightness (after all tweaks). I'll see if I can find a better replacement. I'll keep everyone posted.

eh? you removed the screen and can actually see the grey lines?

good one. Ahh..... No, I'm refering to deficiencies of the screen found by almost every TM8204 owner. I have been talking to some replacement LCD suppliers, and they needed to confirm the actual model number from the back of the LCD screen, as it seems that the Everet utility does not necessarily have to give you the right information. That might account the post by one owner of the TM8204 for whom the utility reported a different LCD model number than for the rest of us. My goal is to see if I can get my hands on the either better matte screen or XBrite one.

Thanks roughcut.. hope you find something

I'll attempt to upgrage my screen to a different manufacturer tomorrow. I'll take lots of pictures. I'll keep you posted.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Sweet goodluck!

so I gather that Acer doesn't replace the screen under warranty huh?

I think that if you contact Acer they might replace the screen if you rant long enough, but expect the same quality screen from them, since they most likely will put in the same type of a panel (same manufacturer - most likely Samsung, and same model number). And don't expect high gloss one.

It's ALIVE !!!! BUHAHAHAHA...........

Well, I've done it! Acer 8200 with a HighGloss screen!!!! ...... (very very ... very small print: it only costed approx $500.00)

I need to go over my pictures and see how they came out. I tried not to use the flash, well low light and macro mode don't mix very well. So, I need to check them. I'll let you know how they came out.

Man, this is what this laptop needed all along.

I'm going nuts... I need pics! Now! Details! Details! Details!

Where'd you get the screen?

Who did the replacement?

Exactly what screen did you get?

oh, and did I mention that I want pics? haha.

ScreenTekInc - http://www.screentekinc.com/

Well, I played the role of the mad scientist


HITACHI TX39D97VC1FAA with HighGloss treatment (not sure if it comes that way or if ScreenTekInc does the mod)



Well, if someone can tell me where I can upload them, I might send a few.

Can you put them on flickr.com.

Also is the screen any brighter?

imageshack.us

You did the install yourself? How'd that go?

And one more question, is this just the screen or the entire top portion of the laptop? (i.e. does the 8200 now say Hitachi on the back or is it still the Acer CF backing?)

Just to clarify for everyone. After playing with this screen for a few hours, hee's what I think:

- it's brighter, but not as much as I thought. The change is subtle.
- MUCH, MUCH sharper, that's the most important part
- better colors reproduction, although requires new adjustments in ATI console
- WOW, the angles - I can move my head now, and be able to read !!!
- not so good - the glare, hard to keep clean

The brightness issue seems to be most likely the one of an inferior inverter. It would be a much, MUCH cheaper solution to replace the inverter with a better one and see if this will increase the brightness. Unfortunately that would not fix the bluriness of the original screen. I probably would have learned to lived with the original screen, but man, I'm so happy I did this swap. The grey lines are gone. In fact they are replaced by very tiny squares (that's the way it should be - individual pixels), but I have to stick my nose in the screen in order to see it.

Keep in mind, this is just the first few hours after a swap. I'll keep you posted.

Swap is not so bad, if you are handy with a chain saw, blow torch, backhoe or cement mixer ... oh wait, that's the get rid of your boss project.
All you need is a screw driver, and a little patience. I took the pictures along the way, so I can assemble an instruction page if I'll find time and if enough people are interested. It's only 14 screws, 3 cable connections, that's it.

well I'm most defiently interested, but if you decide not to assemble an instruction page, i'd really appreciate it if you could just email me the pics (pvolcheff@gmail.com) thanks.

Here's some pics, again low light no flash. I'll take better pics tomorrow.

ok...I'm impressed