Official "swapping the XPS 14 L401x screen" thread

[s0lace]

Currently there are about 10 different threads on this board about this very topic. We all understand; the L401x screen is terrible. We should try and put all the information we have about it swapping it out in this thread.
If you have done the swap, please feel free to leave your experiences and suggestions!

What screen should I buy?
Most people are using this screen:
14.0-inch LG LP140WD1-TLA1 Laptop LCD Screen - US$87.00 | HooToo.com

$5 dollar off coupon if you add the code: HOOTOO

I got my screen at papatek.com. I'm really satisfied their service. I ordered the screen Jan 6th, 2010 Thursday for $73 (+$9.90 for S&H, still cheaper than HooToo.com that sells it for $87) It arrived today Jan 8th, 2010 Saturday (really strange, didn't think mail was delivered on weekends). I'm currently living in NYC and papatek is based in California.
LG LP140WD1-TLA1

Will this void my warranty?

Actually it doesnt void your warranty, I checked with Dell. They just wont help you if you have any screen problems, but the LG has a warranty of its own so it shouldnt be a problem. The rest of the notebook will still be under warranty

How do I get the bezel off?

start at the top, on either side of the camera. Put your finger up under and gently lift up, just on the bottom of the bezzel. You'll hear an unsnapping. Once you do the top on both sides of the camera, work your way down the sides starting at the top corners til you get to the bottom by the hinge. When you get to the outer part of the hinge, start on the inside by doing the same thing you did with the top side. Now you should have the entire bezel, except for over the hinges loose.. Take your hands and grab both sides off the bezel at the top and push down until you hear the bezel unsnap from above the hinges.

Just apply even steady pressure when unsnapping the bezel. Remember, don't be quick, but just very slowly apply more force until you hear it snap, the snaps are usually spaced apart around the bezel, if you unsnap it around the actual lcd you'll be safer. I don't know if it's easier to remove it the second time because I already unsnapped it once before.

I was totally scared of messing up my bezel as well.. which I slightly did because I did not read beforehand that you should start popping it at the top by the integrated camera. I started on the right side which came off easily, however i did break a couple of the clippings which I just superglued back together and it is holding pretty well. I would recommend starting at the middle directly to the right or left of the camera since there are two clippings along the top instead of 3-4 on the sides. Be gentle though the clippings break pretty easily. Hope this helps

It's a matter of taking your time and pulling at the bezel slowly. I would recommend a pair of latex gloves so you do not mar the screen when trying to pry at the bezel, and it help prevents your hand from slipping.

[s0lace]

Please feel free to add whatever information is pertinent to the discussion.

[s0lace]

Bill's "shortcut way" to swap the screen out:

Thought I'd take some photos for the ones who might be considering this screen change out.

I popped the bezel back off from around my screen to see if it would be easier to just take off the bezel and then remove the screen. It looks like that's the way to do it. Here's photos of what you are looking at once the bezel comes off. It's really simple. Just remove screws (fingers pointing at them in photo) i did top then bottom. This basically releases the screen from the inside of the lid and the screen will lean forward now. The metal frame around the outside of the screen has two small black screws holding it on. Put a towel or cloth of some sort across your keyboard. When you remove the screws you should now very gently be able to lay the screen face down on the towel or cloth that is covering the keyboard. You now only have to disconnect the two connectors on the back of the original screen. Remove original screen and place new screen face down on towel and keyboard and reconnect the cables. Once that is done just set it back in the lid bracket and put the screws back in and finish up. I'm assuming thats all there is to it, I followed the manual a little too closely and removed alot of other things that now appear to have been unnecessary....

[s0lace]

Bill's initial pictures after swapping the screen:

Ok, so I took several pictures, these are the two best comparisons. I picked the worst photo... Sorry... Old screen is the left hand photo, new screen is the right hand photo.

Ok, so left photo original screen... middle photo new screen (crappy photo, iphone's fault not anything to do with new screen) right hand photo new screen with better photo...

[waleed786]

Anyone find anything better or is this the best? Does this compare with the HP radiance display? Are there any 14" 1080p screens?

[s0lace]

Anyone find anything better or is this the best? Does this compare with the HP radiance display? Are there any 14" 1080p screens?

So far, no one has found a 1080p screen that replaces the Dell screen.

[brad1981]

I hope Dell is aware of this issue and halts building computers with these screens. I am willing to spend almost $2000 on the XPS 14 with all the trimmings but reading these screen reviews, I am not going to purchase it anymore. I will wait a couple months and see what happens, as I have been a loyal Dell customer for my last 2 laptops over the past 7 years.
This is really disappointing to hear.

[photognj]

Thanks for cancelling your order. That is the only way Dell will change things.

Dell escalations manager insisted the L401x screen is "technologically equivalent or better to the original systems"(M1330). These two articles shed a light on the Dell method of doing business:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/19/te...gy/19docs.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/29/te...gy/29dell.html

I hope Dell is aware of this issue and halts building computers with these screens. I am willing to spend almost $2000 on the XPS 14 with all the trimmings but reading these screen reviews, I am not going to purchase it anymore. I will wait a couple months and see what happens, as I have been a loyal Dell customer for my last 2 laptops over the past 7 years.
This is really disappointing to hear.

[ClouDead]

Is there any technique for popping off the bezel around the screen? I see the pic where its off, but how did you get it off? I plan on swapping my screen this weekend, Ill post pics and results.

Any other tips would be great, thanks!

[s0lace]

The following was a PM from bill71, I'm sure he won't mind sharing the info.

Bezel Popping Info:

I don't know if you've already done the screen change out, but start at the top, on either side of the camera. Put your finger up under and gently lift up, just on the bottom of the bezzel. You'll hear an unsnapping. Once you do the top on both sides of the camera, work your way down the sides starting at the top corners til you get to the bottom by the hinge. When you get to the outer part of the hinge, start on the inside by doing the same thing you did with the top side. Now you should have the entire bezel, except for over the hinges loose.. Take your hands and grab both sides off the bezel at the top and push down until you hear the bezel unsnap from above the hinges.

Just apply even steady pressure when unsnapping the bezel. Remember, don't be quick, but just very slowly apply more force until you hear it snap, the snaps are usually spaced apart around the bezel, if you unsnap it around the actual lcd you'll be safer. I don't know if it's easier to remove it the second time because I already unsnapped it once before.