Got my 9300, help comparing notes

I like a lot of things about this laptop. As a non gamer, this replaced a 5year old P3 laptop. It's not heavy at all, I think lighter than the 15" I replaced. Speakers are great, just for the occasional video clips, soft volume/background music. Love the keyboard feel, although they could have laid the keys better to utilize the extra space. The fan noise is ok, I can hear it but it's not high pitch at all; I've lived with no fan/ no fan noise on my old laptop. The colors are ok, no complaints as I did a hardware calibration and got to to 6500K 2.3 gama (couldn't get it to 2.2 target). Brightness is good, but I have to set it at the max to get white whites of my liking. I'm not anal enough to try out every single feature but have some negative comments about some of the features that I have used thus far. They pertain to the screen (Samsung) and side USB ports.

The only thing about the screen I don't really like, but can live with for the huge price difference between this and a Sony, is the sparkle on whites/grays, and also, it appears the right side of the screen is brighter than the left side. I have a one inch light leakage on the bottom, but that doesn't bother me much.

The USB ports on the back of the laptop wiggle a little when you try to wiggle it (vertically) with a USB plug attached. This seems normal. But the ones on the side, they move up and down alot. I can get the metal part of my plug to move all the way down to touch the middle plastic frame that seperated the two ports. Like I said, I'm not anally trying to test everything, and have not. I just happened to have some things pluged in and when I went to pull it out, I though I broke it since it was way loose. I wonder if you guys experience the same looseness.

Now I've read all about the screen sparkles. Like I said, I can live with it since I don't want to spend $800 more to get a lower end spec Sony with the best screen. Is my assumptions correct that the concenses regarding sparkle, the Samsungs in general have less sparkle than the LG? What about the uneven backlighting? I'm not bothered with the once inch light leakage on the bottom because I don't notice it much (it's at least even from left to right lol).

I'd like to hear from people that have had screen replaced. If what I have is the best I can get, then I'd just settle for it. But if there are panels that have even lighting, then I'd prefer that. And I also rather not have any MORE sparkle than what I can see now. Less would of course be better.

Lastly, how should I go about getting a new panel( if I deem it necessary)? I got this about 9 days ago, but only played with it 2 days ago. Do I just go ask for a replacement? Or should I return it and re-order to get another 21 days? I'm thinking I should ask for a replacement and if that sucks too, return both units are re order. This make sense? I have a good HD, it's the 80GB 5400 16mb Toshiba (as long as it's 5400, I'm happy). I also got the Sony DVDRW, some write it's louder and not as media friendly as the NEC, but I don't use even my desktop recorder much, so that doesn't bother me. It's just down to if I can get a better screen and a fix for the USB (if it is out of spec). Thanks for your inputs.

Hmm, thanks guys. My USB port on the side is definately loose. I can plug one item in there, and the entire 2 port will move up and down in unison. I guess it's a two plug one unit module. I am guessing that the only way to fix this by myself is to open the unit up and stick something under the module. This doesn't look workable though. And I'm using these two ports more than the rear one since it's more accessible.

I guess they would need to replace the entire unit just for the USB? Which would mean... I may get a crappier screen. Oh great.

anettis, thanks for the link to the disassembly instructions. I found out that the USB is indeed one module, and thankfully it's not connected directly to the motherboard, so the up/down movement isn't likely to break it. It seems to either be a screw loose, or the screw is missing. However, for me to fix this, holy cow, I have to remove practically everything, which includes the screen, and palmrest. Just to tighten the screw (if it's there, which one is suppose to be).

Today I found out that the right side of the white plastic on my palm rest to have some flex. I can live with it, but now I'm wondering maybe I need to check everything out and be anal.

Anettis, can you describe what the two Samsung replacement screens you had were like? Why you picked one over the other, and how's the one you finally kept? As I mentioned, I do have a Samsung. I can see the sparkles clearly on whites/grays. But what isn't great is that I see the left side, nearer to the left bottom quadrant as being darker than the right side. Also, just today, I'm noticing my whites are a little pink on the left side and white on the right. I calibrated my monitor with a hardware calibratior. Whatever it is, I just fear returning this (i'm still within 21 days) and getting a crappier unit. Just out of curiosity, how many times can you return the units? Can I keep returning and buying a new unit to keep the 21 day alive? lol, I don't think I have time to play the Dell shuffle though.

Hazridi, I guess you kept the #2 Samsung? Did the lighting even out? I guess you settle on the #2? Your description of the Samsung screen is exactly what I see, a faint pattern overlay. And yes, looking at the schematics, swapping assembled screens looks a whole lot easier (in particular, I don't know how one would take off the rubber bumpers to get at the screw, and still be able to reuse them). Why did you not keep your Sony with the better screen?

anettis, the final Samsung you kept, was it sparkle free?

sonicwind, I read your review, and concur with your description about the screen. So what did you end up doing? Selling the Sony for the 9300(if so, what were the reasons)? You gave the screen a 5/10 rating. Any update? I assume that you are living with the sparkles with screen you settled on?

I guess I'm going to be asking for a replacement. If the screen is worse, I will still do a screen swap myself, because the loose USB looks pretty hard to get to (taking the laptop apart essentially).

Last question. I like the brightness but am worried that I'm using it at the highest setting. I would think the screen will get darker as time goes by? BTW, I am getting a reading of 160 cd/m2 at max brightness setting from my hardware calibrator.

bubba, looks like you've got an almost perfect screen. I've got light leakage, but that doesn't bother me. It's more the uneven lighting, and sparkles. I'd suggest you keep yours. In more words than your comment, I tried to basically ask the same thing to the posters. What did they end up with and are they satisfied.