1080p Vaio Display or Dell Truelife WLED? (or Mac?)

iGiDK

iGiDK

Suspended / Banned
Messages
253
Edit My Images
No
I'm currently torn between purchasing a Sony F12 laptop or going for a Dell Studio XPS 16. Projected usage will likely be mostly surfing and image editing with an occasional gaming session thrown in for good measure..

I'm just looking for a good screen, the Sony one I'm interested in has a 1080p 16" 'Vaio Display' (spec here)

Or, the other option at the moment is a Studio XPS 16 with the 1080p Truelife WLED screen.

Adobe-RGB doesn't feature in my workflow therefore I don't think I need/want a wide-gamut display (e.g. Dell RGB-LED).

I'll likely end up calibrating this new display but that will likely be a few months down the line (will prob pick up a spyder elite 3?)

In terms of the rest of the hardware and bloatware I can deal with that (would probably end replacing the 5,400rpm HD with a SSD / CPU & GPU not really too fussed in the differences between these two laptops)

Can anyone offer any feedback on these two displays? Or, an alternative high res laptop screen worth adding to the shortlist?

Or, seeing as my contract has been extended today should I just bite the bullet and get a macbook pro? :lol:

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
Last edited:
The new macbook pro high res sceen is untouchable, the standard res 1440x900 is the same as used in some of the Dell E6500's (LG Phillips models)

Trouble with the Dell models is that they use 3 or 4 different screen manufacturers so while someone gets a real beauty, someone else gets a less than perfect one

I would say if you can afford it and are happy to change then go for the Macbook Pro but consider the Matte option if using outdoors
 
The VAIO Z series screen is considered the best screen on a laptop at the moment (including macbooks) however that is only 13". They may however be using the same screen on some of the other VAIOs so may be worth looking into.:)
 
Amp34 said:
The VAIO Z series screen is considered the best screen on a laptop at the moment (including macbooks) however that is only 13". They may however be using the same screen on some of the other VAIOs so may be worth looking into.:)
Click to expand...

Youre kidding right, ive seen and used both and the viewing angles let the Sony down big time. Geougous screen head on and in the shade though
 
Guys thanks for the replies, food for thought. The MacBook pro is really tempting but i'm just slightly hesitant due to the jump in price (the debate of which I'm sure has already been done to death in other threads) - just specced a 15" i5 high res glossy for £1769 (although I guess the refurb route or education store could save a few bob)

The vaio I linked to can be had for less than £899 with various vouchers/trade in deals etc. and I can get a new i7 XPS for a similar price, do you think the Mac would still be worth the extra if i'm planning to calibrate the screen anyway?
 
i would suggest you pop into a PC World/Currys mega store and ask at the Apple section if you can pop in a flash card with some images on and then do the same with a Sony/Windows laptop, the Apple guys will even bring a Windows laptop of your choice from anywhere in the store and plug it in alongside an Apple to see the difference in screen quality, colours, viewing angles etc, etc, my next months wage is on you walking out the store with a Mackbook Pro under your arm.
 
I currently have a Sony 1080p 17" and the screen is stunning, however the battery life is absolutely appauling...
 
My Dell Studio 16 XPS RGBLED screen is fantastic :D

Why pay at least 50% extra for the marginal (I don't really notice any improvement on my sister in laws macbook pro, although that's the last model) improvement in quality, especially when you have to put up with that **** OSX!! :D
 
Gary Coyle said:
Youre kidding right, ive seen and used both and the viewing angles let the Sony down big time. Geougous screen head on and in the shade though
Click to expand...

Nope, all the reviews I've read have mentioned it having a better screen...

TBH at that price difference I would go for the XPS or VAIO though, unless you REALLY want OSX, the screen difference really isn't going to make much difference when editing (all will be good once calibrated).
 
Last edited:
Amp34 said:
Nope, all the reviews I've read have mentioned it having a better screen...

TBH at that price difference I would go for the XPS or VAIO though, unless you REALLY want OSX, the screen difference really isn't going to make much difference when editing (all will be good once calibrated).
Click to expand...
Ive just been into PC world this afternoon and checked both units out, the Sony falls behind with poor horizontal vieving angles and out of the box needs calibration, the Macbook Pro with the high res screen is superb and cant be beaten IMHO
 
Is that the current one? I only ask as just looking online PC World only seem to do the old one with a 1366 x 768 resolution screen rather than the 1600x900 or 1080p screens.:)
 
Took my Dell Studio 16 XPS RGBLED screen into pcworld today and compared to latest macbook pro, lets just say i will be sticking with my Dell, not seen anything comparable to the rgb, worth it even if you don't use adobe rgb in your workflow the gamut and brightness far outstrip anything else on the market i know of, although the Sony z screen is excellent.
No idea where the guy saying there are different manufacturers for Dell got his info but they only have one rgb supplier and one part number for it, assume he is confusing suppliers in general rather than suppliers of one particular screen variant, which is what this choice boils down to.
HTH
 
MacBook pro screens are untouchable in both aspects of colour and contrast.
Really nothing even comes close.
 
Why can't people just answer the question and leave Mac's out of it? The OP specifically asked regarding two excellent Windows based laptops.... it's like these annoying religious geezers who go around trying to convert everyone.... :shrug:

For what it's worth, I'd go with the XPS - mine is nothing short of superb in every respect....
 
Ok folks cheers for the feedback, I'd consider a MacBook pro if I like the screen (or any other high res alternatives as mentioned in the 1st post) so I welcome any input in this respect.

I think I'll burn a disc of images and have a look in-store, the mrs wants to go shopping tomorrow anyway so she can act as the eyes of reason!
 
B1ts said:
Took my Dell Studio 16 XPS RGBLED screen into pcworld today and compared to latest macbook pro, lets just say i will be sticking with my Dell, not seen anything comparable to the rgb, worth it even if you don't use adobe rgb in your workflow the gamut and brightness far outstrip anything else on the market i know of, although the Sony z screen is excellent.
No idea where the guy saying there are different manufacturers for Dell got his info but they only have one rgb supplier and one part number for it, assume he is confusing suppliers in general rather than suppliers of one particular screen variant, which is what this choice boils down to.
HTH
Click to expand...

Read fully before typing, i never said Dell used multiple suppliers for the RGB-LED screen as this screen wasnt even mentioned until after my reply, i mentioned the screen used in the Latitude E6500 1440x900

The new macbook pro high res sceen is untouchable, the standard res 1440x900 is the same as used in some of the Dell E6500's (LG Phillips models)
Click to expand...

like i said, read before typing
 
Last edited:
DekHog said:
Why can't people just answer the question and leave Mac's out of it? The OP specifically asked regarding two excellent Windows based laptops.... it's like these annoying religious geezers who go around trying to convert everyone.... :shrug:

For what it's worth, I'd go with the XPS - mine is nothing short of superb in every respect....
Click to expand...
Maybe because the OP mentioned he might go the Mackbook Pro route or did you miss that in his original post :shrug:

Can anyone offer any feedback on these two displays? Or, an alternative high res laptop screen worth adding to the shortlist?

Or, seeing as my contract has been extended today should I just bite the bullet and get a macbook pro?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Gary Coyle said:
Maybe because the OP mentioned he might go the Mackbook Pro route or did you miss that in his original post :shrug:
Click to expand...

As he used the laughing smiley after it, I assumed he was jesting.... but maybe he wasn't.... :)
 
Whoops sorry about that :)

Well, had a look in store today and took a disc of contrasty images shot at recent wedding plus a bunch of landscapes. The vaio display is actually not bad, image quality is quite nice, just very slightly flat in contrast and I noted a little backlight bleed. Colours are really natural and it's a sharp display.

Also had a look at the 1400x900 MacBook pro screen which was definitely punchier than the vaio, and there was no backlight bleed coming from the bottom of the screen. Think I'll have a look in the Glasgow apple store for the high res version this week, and nip into John Lewis as well.

Will see what happens this week
 
iGiDK said:
Whoops sorry about that :)

Well, had a look in store today and took a disc of contrasty images shot at recent wedding plus a bunch of landscapes. The vaio display is actually not bad, image quality is quite nice, just very slightly flat in contrast and I noted a little backlight bleed. Colours are really natural and it's a sharp display.

Also had a look at the 1400x900 MacBook pro screen which was definitely punchier than the vaio, and there was no backlight bleed coming from the bottom of the screen. Think I'll have a look in the Glasgow apple store for the high res version this week, and nip into John Lewis as well.

Will see what happens this week
Click to expand...
The new high res screen is even better than the standard 1440x900, it'll blow your socks off, there aren't that many stores with them on display as the screen is a special order item, my local Birstall/Leeds store has one but none else round my way unless i go to the Sheffield Apple store.
 
Gary Coyle said:
The new high res screen is even better than the standard 1440x900, it'll blow your socks off, there aren't that many stores with them on display as the screen is a special order item, my local Birstall/Leeds store has one but none else round my way unless i go to the Sheffield Apple store.
Click to expand...

Yeah had a look in the Glasgow store today and they didn't have the 15" Hi-Res Glossy display available in the store. However they did have the Hi-Res Antiglare which looked pretty decent, although not as vibrant as its 15 and 17" glossy counterparts

Couple more trips to the shops required I think :)
 
Gary Coyle said:
Read fully before typing, i never said Dell used multiple suppliers for the RGB-LED screen as this screen wasnt even mentioned until after my reply, i mentioned the screen used in the Latitude E6500 1440x900



like i said, read before typing
Click to expand...


Nice selective quoting there, the line I was responding to was your next line in the same post:

"Trouble with the Dell models is that they use 3 or 4 different screen manufacturers so while someone gets a real beauty, someone else gets a less than perfect one"

If you meant just the one model you should not say the trouble with Dell models, you should read before typing and before deigning to lecture others when you are clearly wrong.
 
Whether or not the MBP screen has a good viewing angle, it only has so much relevance I think. Last time I checked, I view my screen like everyone else does, by sitting in front of it...
 
Wow, and only 3 weeks to come up with a reply, and Dell do use at least 3 different manufacturers for their screens, I have a relative who works at the main Dell plant in Ireland and he says that's where some laptop model parts are stored and they have used 3 different ones in the same model, he says the only ones they don't get problems with are manufactured by LG Phillips

There was also a recent article in macworld which accused all manufacturers os using sub standard screens from different suppliers tomget round the world wide shortage from the s major screen suppliers

B1ts said:
Nice selective quoting there, the line I was responding to was your next line in the same post:

"Trouble with the Dell models is that they use 3 or 4 different screen manufacturers so while someone gets a real beauty, someone else gets a less than perfect one"

If you meant just the one model you should not say the trouble with Dell models, you should read before typing and before deigning to lecture others when you are clearly wrong.
Click to expand...
 
Update: couple of weeks ago I had a hands on look at the vaio s12 in store which comes with the vaio display premium (not the bog standard 'vaio display' that featured in the m12 I linked to in the first post.

Was really impressed with the premium screen, and decided to go ahead with the purchase. Unfortunately the laptop I received had a fault with the screen so I just took a refund.

During my brief ownership of the vaio I also wasn't impressed with the heat and noise that it emitted even for non-intensive tasks, so instead of trying again or waiting for the refresh s13 I put a few extra quid aside and got a refurb mbp 15" i7 with a ssd and the high res anti-glare screen.

The high res mbp glossy screen is superb but the matte screen suits me better in my home environment. Been unbelievably busy recently so not had a chance to put it through it's paces yet but I'm happy with it so far, it doesn't sound like a jet for starters!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top