I recently posted that I had picked up a new Dell Inspiron laptop and hinted at a problem with a reflective screen.
I was really disappointed in this. The TrueLife display (which I paid extra for) is supposed to increase colour brightness and contrast, which it does. Unfortunately the trade-off for this is a screen that is reflective enough to shave in.
Reading around the web other sites seem to suggest that this is not really a problem, something that I feel that I have to put right.
In a dimly lit room the screen really is very good for a low budget laptop. It’s bright, sharp and the colours are actually not too bad for a laptop at all. However, put the laptop within 50 or 60 feet of any sort of light-source and the level of reflection is really quite incredible. Try to show another person the contents of the screen when you are in anything approaching daylight and you might as well draw it on a napkin for them.
I am sure that there are plenty of people who use their laptops alone in dimly lit rooms. More power to them and the lucrative pornography industry that they help support. I however had rather hoped that I wouldn’t need to huddle under a blanket with customers if I wanted to show them a web-page, so contacted Dell about a replacement screen.
Initially Dell tried to palm me off with some money off and then a free all in one printer. The printer was quite tempting. I could have probably printed whatever I wanted to look at on the screen and then been able to look at it in whatever lighting I wanted. I did however have a few concerns over the portability of a mains powered printer and a ream of paper, so declined.
Dell then offered to replace the inspiron for another laptop with a “more shiny screen”. At this point I was not sure whether we were encountering a language problem with the Dell call centre in India, or whether Dell had recently broken into the combined laptop and shaving mirror market. Again, I considered this for a moment. There are certainly some merits to the idea of being able to check your RSS feeds in the morning whilst scraping off the night’s stubble, but I realised that with a mouse in my right hand I would be forced to shave left handed which didn’t sounds such a bright move.
In the end Dell offered to send me a new screen. Perfect. I was told this would arrive in a couple of days and that I would just have to call support and they would talk me through fitting it.
The new screen arrived promptly as promised and I enthusiastically called the support line so that I could fit the screen. Unfortunately their response was not quite as enthusiastic. In fact when I explained that customer services had sent me a new screen I think that the reply was something along the lines of “They sent you a bloody what?” (That works better if you consider that support are based in Dublin and you say it with the appropriate accent). Apparently screens are not user fitable parts and they would have to transfer me to customer services to arrange for an engineer.
At this point I put the phone down.
It turns out that the screen is not very hard to replace at all. In fact I did it in about 20 minutes using some miniature screwdrivers that came from a Xmas cracker (I kid you not). The result is a massive improvement - which hopefully can be seen from the pictures attached.
199 Comments
I’m currently strongly leaning towards buying a Macbook Pro since that is the only notebook out there with a good graphics card and a matte screen option.
Too bad Dell and other manufactures doesn’t realize thier ignorance will cost them in lost customers!
I must say, this must be one of the biggest jokes I’ve seen on screen issues. Even if we all agree that there are opinions and everyone is entitled to one, at some point we need to stop. The ONLY reason this article would ever have a chance to being true is ,if ALL manufacturers of those glossy screens decided to just plain SCREW the buyer and supply the most crappy screen there is. The truth however is, that these screens (be it TrueLife or what have you), are one the biggest improvements in display technology with no increase in cost. Frankly, I don’t know what one might be looking at, to come up with this kind of conclusion. I have used Dell, HP, Sony with these screens and in general the difference is night and day … in favor of the glossy one, of course. It seems there should be some tutorial on how to use a glossy screen, though most happy users I know, never actually needed such a thing.
Well, if you happen to want to have your notebook outside and in daylight the reflections on the glossy screens really gets annoying!
Just give us an option to choose and we will be happy. :)
@Juno
I have to say that out of all the replies on this page your has to be the most arrogant. Firstly, which part of my post is not true? I wrote it in light hearted way, but the facts are there and I stand by them.
I do though love that you seem to agree that people have an issue with this type of screen, but blame it on the users - suggesting that people need training to use them.
I’ve always maintained that the glossy screens are good for some. However, I feel that people should be aware that they are not good for all. The product simply fails in the circumstances that many people use them. Not all, but many. That is not a user problem, that is a design issue (or at very least a presentation one as it should be made apparent at point of purchase).
I’d love to know what instructions you would include in your tutorial. Would it include “Keep you laptop in a fixed location is a carefully lit room - like you might a desktop PC”?
hi,
i’ve just recently received my dell vostro 1700, and im having doubts about the true life screen i’ve ordered with it, it is obviously glossy. I’ve been told by dell that i cannot return the machine for a refund because of it being bought through a small business. It wasn’t bought through a small business, but i just put my own name as my company name as this was the only way to get a vostro. Is this the norm? im not sure what to do.
Any advice will be helpful, im a UK customer BTW.
Thanks
Yogi
@Yogi
If that is what they said about returns then ask then to provide confirmation of that in writing so that you can check it with Trading Standards. My suspicion is that they will change their minds very quickly as what you have said above is not legal.
You may though find that the screen is fine for you. Many people seem to like them. Most though agree that more information should be given about the pros cons so that people can make an informed choice as to whether to opt for truelife.
Dell sale staff are really rubbish. I ordered a laptop with anti-glare screen on the phone but they sent me a shiny one. They even said that that Inspiron screen is anti-glare one. When I called their technical support, they say that is not an anti-glare one and only sales dept can help me. The sale person later said they can not replace with an anti-glare one. I called 7 times, talked with 8 people but nothing happened.
Hey whats the difference between:
15.4″ Widescreen™ WXGA (1280×800) TFT Display (220nits) with TrueLife™
15.4″ Widescreen WXGA (1440×900) TFT Display with TrueLife™
????? Please somebody help n tell me which ones better! I want a DEll XPS M1530 for my bday!
And Also on the dell website, it says that the DELL XPS M1530 laptop is £599 for a business laptop and £650 for a home laptop….with exactly the same specifications…..does anyone know why this is?
@Pat
I’d imagine that the difference between those two screen is just the resolution. Lot of people opt for the highest resolution they can get, although my experience is that not everyone wants higher resultions. Try out some screens and get an idea of what you want.
With regards to the price difference, a difference of £50 sounds like Dell shipping to me. Does one include “free” shipping?
Nope they are both the same….its odd isnt it…..o well im not complaining :D Time to order myself an XPS M1530! I really just want it to play Crysis on….will it live up to my expectations? 2.0 ghz dual core…..3 gig ram..8600 nvidia 256 memory in it….is that alright? and the screen will it look gd?
No idea for gaming I am afraid. Sorry about that - just not something I do any more. Would imagine that duel core with 3gb should run most things though.
Thanks for your help… and on a personal level if you buy a truelife screen its almost impossible to go out into the sunlight with it…..its awesome inside the house though ensuring that theres not much light which my house doest have….so its perfect for me!
THANKS for posting this - I’m buying a computer today!! I HATE shiny screens (got stuck w/ one on a Toshiba laptop) and Dell makes “TrueLife” sound like something you can’t live without.
Love your sense of humor, btw!!
Batoat, instead of calling sales reps, write an official complaint to customer service, describing what you discussed with sales and wanted to get.
I did it and now I am enjoying Dell Vostro with a matte screen. It took 7 working days from the complaint to getting back my Vostro with the proper screen. All shipments were paid by Dell.
But… I am from Central Europe :-))
I’ve just taken delivery of my new Vostro 1500. I ordered it with a free upgrade to the TrueLife, but its arrived with the WXGA standard screen. I rang Cust Services and gave them an ear-full and they have arranged to replace the whole laptop. Now I’m thinking that maybe that was a mistake! I was excited by the idea of a nice shiny screen, but the girlfriend is likely to be using this a lot at Uni and possibly outdoors in the summer - in which case the TrueLife sounds like it will suck! Thanks for this great review. Now I better call them back and cancel everything - it feels gratifying to mess them about for once!!!!
well, due to, erm, financial embarassment last year, i couldnt get my 1720, but have been getting ready to get a laptop now, and hello, the screen options have changed! you know how on the dell site you get 3 choices, with varying savings, and you customise to ure needs? well, i did that on the highest priced one, with the most savings, and there was no non truelife option. after much head scratching, i customised the lowest priced, with the least savings,to the same specs and there was a non truelife option. cept, get this, it cost £100 more!!!yup, £100 more for a non shiny screen! not sure what would happen if i placed an order over the phone, but im going to look at other laptops now, as i called dell a couple of times last year, and it was one massive stress fest, and i cant face it at the mo!
Hi
Nice review. I found this site googling for truelife and this is quite an eyeopener. Its great to have a tech review that gives you the details and at the same time makes you smile…Great stuff…
Just took delivery of the new 1525, it has very very very bad speakers, the 6400 having lovely big speakers that can fill a room.
I found the 1525 has a classier desig, but your 1640 is the one I’m after. Luckily I bought it from a supermarket, so have 30 days to return it, which I’ll do.
And yes, I’ll go for a matt screen…
I’m a bit confused though.. is a tru-life screen still too shiny, even if its matt?
I have been using the screen for a few weeks now, and find my eyes getting very tired, I assume this is because the glossy screen is reflecting overhead lights.
Its true, truelife is for those with no life!
Hey Akitis,
really??? So dell is going to replace trueLife with matte screens.
For which models? When and where (country)?
I’m looking for M1530 and i really want a matte screen on it.
Please post reply if anyone knows
Cheers
#
Akitis on March 4th, 2008
As I wrote before - I often work outdoors so a glossy screen (even True Life) would be a nightmare.
5 days ago I wrote the complaint to Dell describing the whole story, asking for the replacement of the screen and stressing that one of core Dell values is a customer satisfaction.
Today I got the positive response - Dell will replace a True life screen with a matte one.
YESSSSSS !!!! :-)))))))
Hi Mat,
I just need to say that although I gather it wasn’t quite all that joyful an experience, it was fantastic to read it ! You should be a writer !
And now I know to take the TFT screen - so thanks !
K
I bought a new laptop so that I could work away from my house.
After a few weeks I started to get terrible eye-strain, really painful. It was only after finding this site that I understood what was going on…. and yes.. the screen is as shinny and glossy as can be.
The ammoung of glare coming of that thing was amazing.. I may as well have had a mirror to shine the glare of overhead lights into my eyes.
Calls to various retail outlets have not been useful, but luckily I bought my laptop from a supermarket and can return it within 30 days.
I’m going to buy a matt-screen laptop from Dell’s outlet store..as all the retailers in the UK I’ve spoken to don’t seem to have them.
Hi Mat,
Nice post. I’ve ordered a Dell XPS M 1530 with a 15.4″ Widescreen WXGA (1280×800) TFT Display with TrueLife, and I will get back to you with my review as soon as I use it for a few days. I hope that two years down the road since you posted this, may have resulted into a TrueLight screen that can be used outdoors (airports/lounges etc) as well. I won’t be using it at the beach, so I suppose I won’t face the “sun reflected off the screen” syndrome that people may face while using this outside.
cheers!
if you want true life, just get a nice quality piece of plexi glass and cut it to fit. simple as that. its about what the true life is isnt it?
we have imac 20″ desktops at college with the glossy screens they are nice, but with a portable system and most people having anti glare screens can ruin the look of your work via uploading to the web… by you having a glossy screen and 100 million others having the anti-glare..
i went the anti glare route. really nice not seeing yourself and working around that… found this site before purchasing a dell 1500 vostro and debating the anti glare vs. tru life….
thanks a bunch and Jah Bless.
olesita on April 22nd, 2008
Hey Akitis,
really??? So dell is going to replace trueLife with matte screens.
For which models? When and where (country)?
I’m looking for M1530 and i really want a matte screen on it.
Please post reply if anyone knows
Cheers
Hi Olesita.
Poland, Vostro 1500, March 2008.
Dell ordered (somewhere in Western Europe) a matte screen to be sent to me, then I had to send Vostro (with True Life) plus the matte screen to Dell’s office for replacement and then I got Vostro back with the proper screen.
All UPS/TNT services were paid by Dell.
Cheers.
I bought a XPS with truelife after reading many of ther forums which still left me undecided and it does have sharper, crispier and a better colour display than my previous matt model but i feel this is more than offset by the annoying reflection which i cannot get used to, now I am thinking about sending it back - my advice is check down your local shop before purchase as this is individual preference
Thank you for this website. It helped me make the decision not to get TrueLife; I too would have been disappointed. You must truly be amazed that after 2 years people are still grateful for your post. With as much time as we spend in front of computers, our monitors are a big part of daily life!
Hello and thanks for the post. I purchased a 1520 in Marcy of ‘09 and Dell accepted a return of the gloss for replacement with the non-glare. Using primarily business applications, I’m much happier with the non-glare. As others suggested, see it in the store before you decide which one you want. Today, the non-glare option doesn’t seem to be an available “click” on Dell’s site. Contacted Dell “chat” and the rep. said it was on 1420 but, despite that, it isn’t on the set of radio buttons where you customize the order. One has to wonder why Dell making this so hard to resolve. The notebook is a great computer, why annoy people over something this easy to resolve by offering the choice?
Mat!
I recently bought the Inspiron 1530 with a 15″ (must be TrueLife/super mirrored) screen. I liked the look… until I went to our local mall and sat down in the food court with bright sun glare coming through the overhead windows. I couldn’t even see my mouse on the screen!! I could definitely tell you what I was looking like that day as all I could see was my reflection!! It was so annoying… There is no fix to get the backlighting brighter or better on these screens?? Is there really no other option than to buy a new screen or call and complain and get a free one?? I really like to use mine at outdoor restaurants, in that mall, on the train in mid day where light streams through!! HELP! I need to know…
THANKS FOR WRITING THE BLOG BTW…
I received my dell inspiron 1720 today and was stunned to discover how bad the reflection is so phoned dell and it is now being returned.
In my opinion it is irrelevant how good the screen is in perfect lighting conditions if most of the time al youcan see is your own reflection!
This article made me laugh, thanks Matt.
As to matte vs glossy, for people who use their laptop for a couple of hours a day looking at photos and reading emails, glossy screens do offer better performance. On the other hand, if you are using your computer all day, probably not such a good idea.
Dell offer both types of screens… just look under the ‘business’ categories for matte screens.
Thanks for the useful info, Matt.
2 years on and STILL an issue for Dell customers.
I’m about to buy a new Dell laptop and now I’ve read this, I will not be upgrading to TrueLife.
Thanks again :)
Thanks Mat!
I was just put in my order for a Dell Vostro and decided to read up on the screen. I actually told the agent to “put it in”, luckily haven’t paid yet so gonna amend the order. Thanks man!
This review last amazingly long. :)
Dells offerings I think follow this pattern
Consumer laptops:
Lots of people like the gaming and crystal clear dvd watching of a true life screen.
Business laptops:
Lots of people work in offices that may have harsh flourescent lighting and also perhaps privacy requires that screen be less clear when viewed from afar/side.
Now this thinking does not suit everyone. In fact I have truelife and I would really rather have had anti-glare as I do use my ‘consumer’ inspiron laptop outdoors. Would make my dvd watching a bit less crisp, I think, but that is a tradeoff I would take on.
A simple way to get what you want is to figure out whether you want outdoor use or use in harsh lighting.
If you do then the ‘business’ lines (vostro/latitude) are more likely to have the screens you want (anti-glare) by default. If you want the consumer models (inspiron/xps/etc) or similar then what you are asking for is less of a fit for what Dell pushes and so you will have to resist TrueLife options and say in plain terms ‘anti-glare’ if you are speaking with customer services.
Here is another tip is you live in the UK (adapt appropriately for elsewhere) just walk into PC world or other Dell retailer and have a look at the Dells on display. Lots of them will have TrueLife which is impressive for some uses. Where a white t-shirt and ask yourself honestly can I live with that reflection.
If you are in luck they may also have a regular non-truelife and you can compare them there and then.
PS don’t be too shocked by the pricing - just remember to order online from dell or call up for the best prices.
I was one of the lucky ones to get both Truelife and anti-glare back in the days when Truelife was introduced (my notebook is over 3 years old).
Recently, 2 of my friends purchased identical notebooks, except for the screen. One bought Truelife and one bought anti-glare. I had a really hard time seeing anything with the Truelife screen unless it was in a fairly dark or shaded room, wearing dark clothing. The anti-glare and the Truelife had very similar quality/looks other than the Truelife being so reflective it was difficult to focus on what was on the screen (maybe it’s just me and I’m easily distracted, but I like to see what I’m working on and not have to look through bright reflections). Movies looked good on both notebooks.
That said, the next notebook I buy will be anti-glare, not Truelife. I work too often outdoors or in brightly lit rooms to make the Truelife useable for me.
I liked the suggestion of going to the local store and wearing a white shirt to see if you could deal with the reflection of the glossy Truelife screen. That’s probably the best idea, so that each know what works best for himself.
I wanted to find out whether all Truelife screens are as unusable as mine, and found this site. My new Studio 1535 arrived today with a 1400×900 WXGA Truelife screen. I’m using it inside with my back to a wall, and all I can see is my face. Unbelievable! The only way to use this screen is to wear a black balaclava. On the settee next to me is an old Dell Latitude from around the year 2000, and I honestly reckon it has a superior screen (matt).
I’m going to purchase a screen filter to see whether this helps the Truelife, else the laptop is going to have to go. I’ve tried tinkering with the brightness settings in the BIOS, and the graphics card setup, but it doesn’t help much.
I’m sorry, but you’re all ridiculous. The TrueLife screen is so freakin’ sweet that I want to get one for my desktop as well. Yes, it’s shiney, yes there’s a lot of reflection, but it’s fairly simple to see past the shiney reflection and see what you’re doing so long as you have an attention span older than a 3-year-old. Get over the shiney flashy object and focus on the picture instead. I absolutely love it and if you’re into graphics and design and whatnot, I would highly recommend it. Then again, if you want your images to look good for the average user, you might want to use something not as good :-p. In the end, it’s VERY much an opinion thing and the best thing to do is see one in person.
Thank you Mat. You posted this some years ago, and it is still up to date ! I was really keen on having a matte sceen, and it is true that you cannot really understand their vocabulary on Dell’s Website. Now, I understand better what they mean when they say things like “ultrabright” or whatever.
Does anybody know about the new Toshiba TruBrite screen ? Is this marketing term similar to Dell’s ?
Thank’s again.
its really very informative.i bought vostro 1500 without true life. previously i was thinking i did wrong but now i am quiet happy..
Ah Mat, where were you when I needed you. :) I too found the glossy screen on my Vostro 1500 far too reflective. Forward 6 months and alas my laptop was dropped and the screen smashed. As tears welled up and while searching for a replacement, I happened to stumble upon your blog. My frown turned into an instant smile. A blessing in disguise? Maybe now I can go ahead and purchase an ultradim matt screen with nonchalance. Albeit digging deep into my already frayed pocket and lining those who would be willing to flog me one. Coincidentally, last month I caved in to the XPS M1530 on an impulse buy and am glad to say, I found no hideous reflections of myself. But wait. What’s this? There appears to be an unnerving vibration, a kind of intruding buzz from the keyboard area when plugged into the mains. Perhaps due to the metallic finish? I am intrigued to know if anyone else has encountered this? Or should I just start a blog of my own titled: ‘Vibrating XPS M1530 - a continuation of the porn industry saga?’ PS. Loved your above review and thanks for putting the smile back onto my face. PPS. I still use my Vostro with an external monitor because I prefer it to the XPS. Go Vostro. Night night!
Hi Matt
I had almost finaalized the buying of the Dell Studio 17. But was a trifle concerned at the description of the optional 3 screens.
Finally I came across your article. You had nailed it.
I spoke to Dell. They told me my only option was to look at the Vostro 1710. It is a plain black office machine with quite good specs, with the option of a plain screen. But lacks good sound and a Blue Ray Drive.
It is interesting to see that when one gets to that part when choosing the screen. Dell actually say “Please note that TrueLife displays are more shiny and reflective than normal displays.”
I think they are getting the message.
But a shame they haven’t offered a plain screen with the Studio 17
Thank you again
David K
Hi,
I am so glad I found this blog. I just bought a Dell laptop with a True Life screen and noticed right away how reflective it was. I tried to get use to it but ended up getting lots of headaches. I can minimize the glare by making it really bright but it starts to burn my eyes after a while. This thing should be deemed a health hazard! Anyway, I want to exhange it for a laptop with a matte screen, but Dell will charge me a 15% restocking fee!! I can’t believe it. They are so misleading. They advertise the True Life screens as being anti-glare, and this is what I get for believing them - more grief and $100 poorer! I have tried talking to a manager (in India of course) but to no avail. I even emailed them a link to this blog. Does anyone have any advice? It sounds like some people were able to exhange their laptops without any problems. If I need to pay this restocking fee, I am never going to buy from Dell again, and Apple will find themselves with a new and eager customer.
” It sounds like some people were able to exhange their laptops without any problems. ”
I exchanged only the screen, not the laptop.
I received my Inspiron 1318 less than a week ago. I had ordered it on the phone, and at the time was still not sure what kind of screen to get, but the salesperson said that if I was using the computer primarily for word processing and other non-game, non-movie running applications, that a matte screen would be better.
Just a warning, calling the glossy screen “anti-glare” is confusing. The glossy screens are supposedly “anti glare.” According to my understanding, matte screens actually reflect more light, just in a diffused way that means you don’t discern any objects in that reflected light. If you ask for an “anti-glare” screen when making a phone order, you might get a glossy screen and you might get a matte screen. One person commented that this happened to him.
But back to my story, so I decided then that a matte screen would be better, and I ordered a matte screen for my laptop from the salesperson at Dell. What I received was a laptop with a glossy screen (also the exterior is glossy, which picks up finger prints and marks like you wouldn’t believe). Matt would be way better for the plastic exterior, but I don’t particularly care either way.
I’m trying to decide if I want to try to get the screen changed to a matte finish… As far as I know, a glossy screen is better for not reflecting ambient light, but causes discernible reflections like a mirror and causes more glare from direct light at certain angles. Now, after everything I’ve read, I still don’t know what to believe. Which is better for your eyes? Which is best for a laptop that will be used in many different lighting situations? Which is best considering I’m most interested in word processing and using Instant messaging? After reading many online articles and forums, I still don’t know… But I am quite annoyed that Dell didn’t send me the screen that I ordered and really don’t want to regret it.
Great website. Good start on the translation. Keep up the good work
I absolutely agree with the glare from the Truelife screen being unbearable even inside with minimal light. I purchased an Inspiron 1705 a year or so ago with the Truelife screen and knew I could not keep it after having the display on for 5 minutes. I swapped it out for a matt screen and love the machine. I want to buy one of Dell’s new mini’s but unfortunately the new ones all have the glossy screen with no option for matt. Some of the refurbished models on their outlet site claim to have an anti-glare screen, but until they can confirm for me this is not an advertising error, I won’t bite. With absolutely no exaggeration, the glossy screen is a big problem and a complete deal breaker for me. Too bad, because I really like the machines.
Thanks for the review of the screen, allowed me to dodge a bullet.
Hi folks,
Well in time as I am about to buy a new laptop. Thanks a lot….
I recently bought an LCD screen Acer AL1516W to replace my old CRT monitor. I too face reflection problems but have put a dark curtain on the window. However, I face another problem in that most of the jpeg images appear blurr/ patchy. Is this because of my old video card (s3 pro-savage DDR, 32MB) or some software issue as it was a plug-n-play types without specific drivers. Any comments are welcome. Overall, except for the size I was much happier with the old CRT monitor. 1024×768 32-bit 60Hz Windows XP Pro
Thanks,
Regards,
Prashant (Mumbai, India)
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