Can replacing laptop screen affect quality?

[Horro421]

Hi,

I recently got my laptop repaired as the screen kept getting a yellow flicker when the lid was moved. They first replaced the cable connecting the LCD to the motherboard and then after that was unsuccessful they change the screen. This has solved the issue, however I'm now paranoid that the display on my laptop looks worse. I'm unsure if I'm just being paranoid or if it is actually possible for a screen replacement to lower the quality of the display (assuming they replaced it with a different screen). I'm planning on phoning up to investigate but would like to make sure I'm not being an idiot before speaking to them.

Thanks.

 

[genthug]

If they replaced your screen with an exact replica of the screen, it won't matter. Depends on what they replaced it with, though. Screens are different. LED backlit LCD looks worse imo than LED. All depends on if they replaced it with a replica or not.

 

[Horro421]

If they replaced your screen with an exact replica of the screen, it won't matter. Depends on what they replaced it with, though. Screens are different. LED backlit LCD looks worse imo than LED. All depends on if they replaced it with a replica or not.

Thanks for the quick response. All they said is that they replaced the screen. If we assume that they didn't use an exact replica, is it possible for it to make the display look worse?

 

[mcnumpty23]

yes it can look worse

i always get the exact same model number screen if i replace one

 

[Horro421]

yes it can look worse

i always get the exact same model number screen if i replace one

Yeah I just checked and it turns out they replaced my 1920x1080 screen with a 1600x900 one so I'm going to go back tomorrow. Is there anything I can do or say to them if they either refuse to change it or insist I have to pay them more to change it? Thanks.

 

[mjslakeridge]

Was this a replacement under warranty? Who did the replacement - an authorized warranty repair shop, or just some random shop? Is there any indication on the repair ticket that they would be replacing it with one with identical specs?

 

[Horro421]

Was this a replacement under warranty? Who did the replacement - an authorized warranty repair shop, or just some random shop? Is there any indication on the repair ticket that they would be replacing it with one with identical specs?

It's a random repair shop. I described the problem and they replaced the cable and charged me £80 (40 for labour and 40 for cable). I got it back and it still didn't work and so they insulated the cable for free, still didn't work so I took it back for a 3rd time and they fixed loose connections for free and then it STILL didn't work. So I took it back for a fourth time and then when I returned they had replaced the screen without asking and said it was fixed. I get home and the problem is fixed but they've given me an awful screen.

 

[mjslakeridge]

You should go back and tell them you want them to replace the screen with one with identical specs, and not charge you for additional labor or screen cost. Be forceful, but polite. If they don't want to cooperate, send them a demand letter, stating the facts and what you are demanding. Sounds like you are in Great Britain, since you referenced pounds as the currency, so perhaps if they don't want to cooperate you could tell them that you will refer them to the Better Business Bureau (or the equivalent over there). Most businesses don't want to get bad publicity.

Are you very sure the monitor is 1600x900 and it is not just a setting causing it to be at that resolution?

 

[Horro421]

You should go back and tell them you want them to replace the screen with one with identical specs, and not charge you for additional labor or screen cost. Be forceful, but polite. If they don't want to cooperate, send them a demand letter, stating the facts and what you are demanding. Sounds like you are in Great Britain, since you referenced pounds as the currency, so perhaps if they don't want to cooperate you could tell them that you will refer them to the Better Business Bureau (or the equivalent over there). Most businesses don't want to get bad publicity.

Are you very sure the monitor is 1600x900 and it is not just a setting causing it to be at that resolution?

I am in Great Britain. I'm 99% sure I can't go above 1600x900, in my display settings it is the maximum resolution options whereas for my monitor it has the option for 1920x1080 and previously my laptop also had that option.

 

[mjslakeridge]

I guess when you go back to the shop, ask them if they are aware they replaced the screen with a lower resolution one. If they say no, then they probably aren't a very qualified shop, as they should have easily been able to figure out the resolution of the original from the laptop maker's website. If they say yes, they knew they were using a lower resolution replacement, ask them why, and again demand they make it right. You may want to bring someone else with you to take notes on what is said.

 

[mcnumpty23]

If they replaced your screen with an exact replica of the screen, it won't matter. Depends on what they replaced it with, though. Screens are different. LED backlit LCD looks worse imo than LED. All depends on if they replaced it with a replica or not.

Thanks for the quick response. All they said is that they replaced the screen. If we assume that they didn't use an exact replica, is it possible for it to make the display look worse?

yes it can look worse

i always get the exact same model number screen if i replace one

Yeah I just checked and it turns out they replaced my 1920x1080 screen with a 1600x900 one so I'm going to go back tomorrow. Is there anything I can do or say to them if they either refuse to change it or insist I have to pay them more to change it? Thanks.

for one the cable shouldnt be any where close to £40 really £40 for labour is even a bit much but not totally ridiculous

going to have a hard job proving what screen was on it originally if they get awkward

if its a one man operation rather than the usual big retailers here they can go either way be really helpful or not care

trading standards would be about all you could threaten them with

 

[mcnumpty23]

when i replace a screen i dont go by the laptop model number

i actually take the old screen out and get the make and model number on the back of the screen before getting the replacement screen

that way i know its totally identical

 

[mjslakeridge]

when i replace a screen i dont go by the laptop model number

i actually take the old screen out and get the make and model number on the back of the screen before getting the replacement screen

that way i know its totally identical

The trouble with this is that if the OP had the expertise to take out the old screen and look for the model #, he/she wouldn't have needed to take it to the shop at all. I agree that L40 for the cable seems excessive.

 

[mcnumpty23]

when i replace a screen i dont go by the laptop model number

i actually take the old screen out and get the make and model number on the back of the screen before getting the replacement screen

that way i know its totally identical

The trouble with this is that if the OP had the expertise to take out the old screen and look for the model #, he/she wouldn't have needed to take it to the shop at all. I agree that L40 for the cable seems excessive.

no i meant the shop should have done that to make sure they got the right screen not that the poster should have done it

 

[mjslakeridge]

Oh, I agree, assuming the shop is actually competent. Could the laptop manufacturer have used different resolution screens on the same model# laptop at different times? Doesn't seem likely to me.

Edit: I don't think the OP mentioned whether or how much the new screen cost him. For all we know the shop had the replacement screen lying around and slapped it in.

 

[Horro421]

Oh, I agree, assuming the shop is actually competent. Could the laptop manufacturer have used different resolution screens on the same model# laptop at different times? Doesn't seem likely to me.

Edit: I don't think the OP mentioned whether or how much the new screen cost him. For all we know the shop had the replacement screen lying around and slapped it in.

They replaced the screen for free and did it within a few hours so it must be lying around. I have the order reference of my laptop with all components (and hence screen) that it was fitted with so I do have proof of my old screen.

 

[mcnumpty23]

Oh, I agree, assuming the shop is actually competent. Could the laptop manufacturer have used different resolution screens on the same model# laptop at different times? Doesn't seem likely to me.

Edit: I don't think the OP mentioned whether or how much the new screen cost him. For all we know the shop had the replacement screen lying around and slapped it in.

yes i agree its unlikely they used different screens

but not impossible and since the screen is getting replaced any way its just sensible to me to take it out and get make/model number off it

well if the cable cost them £40 guess the screen is going to be on the expensive side

though if you agree to the price at the time not sure much you can do about that--the fact its the wrong screen is a different matter though

 

[mcnumpty23]

Oh, I agree, assuming the shop is actually competent. Could the laptop manufacturer have used different resolution screens on the same model# laptop at different times? Doesn't seem likely to me.

Edit: I don't think the OP mentioned whether or how much the new screen cost him. For all we know the shop had the replacement screen lying around and slapped it in.

They replaced the screen for free and did it within a few hours so it must be lying around. I have the order reference of my laptop with all components (and hence screen) that it was fitted with so I do have proof of my old screen.

they didnt charge for the screen at all? totally nothing?

 

[mjslakeridge]

Well that changes things a bit. Even though you didn't specifically authorize them to replace the screen, they just decided to do it on their own. So you do not have any financial damages to recoup. Sounds like it is a pretty informal shop. You have a free screen (although it is probably used). Depending on how good (expensive) the laptop is, you could just live with it, or get someone to order the correct replacement screen and install it. Of course, that involves additional cost.

 

[Horro421]

Oh, I agree, assuming the shop is actually competent. Could the laptop manufacturer have used different resolution screens on the same model# laptop at different times? Doesn't seem likely to me.

Edit: I don't think the OP mentioned whether or how much the new screen cost him. For all we know the shop had the replacement screen lying around and slapped it in.

They replaced the screen for free and did it within a few hours so it must be lying around. I have the order reference of my laptop with all components (and hence screen) that it was fitted with so I do have proof of my old screen.

they didnt charge for the screen at all? totally nothing?

They charged me nothing because it was the fourth time bringing my laptop back since they failed to fix it 3 times previously. I'm unsure if I think it's reasonable for me to pay them for a better screen or if I should hold my ground and demand that they do it for free.

 

[mjslakeridge]

I don't think you could reasonably expect them to purchase a correct replacement screen and give it to you for free. Maybe you can convince them to sell it to you at their cost (no markup) and not charge you any additional labor, since you have to keep dragging the thing back and forth. Or, as I said above just live with it.

Edit: It sounds like they thought they were doing you a favor (or got tired of seeing you in the shop), and either didn't know the resolution the "free" screen was lower, or they knew and hoped you wouldn't notice.

 

[Horro421]

I don't think you could reasonably expect them to purchase a correct replacement screen and give it to you for free. Maybe you can convince them to sell it to you at their cost (no markup) and not charge you any additional labor, since you have to keep dragging the thing back and forth. Or, as I said above just live with it.

The screen looks awful so I don't really want to live with it. I'm just fed up with the fact they firstly charged me £40 for a cable I didn't need (since it didn't fix the problem) and since then continuously failed to repair it. Furthermore, my battery seems to be stuck at 64% ever since I've gotten the laptop back from them which seems peculiar. I just don't like the fact they replaced it with a bad screen and didn't tell me in the hopes that I'd be too dumb to realise that they've done a bad job

 

[mjslakeridge]

How new (old) is the laptop? Are you going to be using it for a long time to come? Is there another (better) shop in your area? How expensive was the laptop? Are it's specifications likely to hold up for the programs you use for some time to come? Those are the questions you will have to consider in deciding what to do.

 

[Horro421]

How new (old) is the laptop? Are you going to be using it for a long time to come? Is there another (better) shop in your area? How expensive was the laptop? Are it's specifications likely to hold up for the programs you use for some time to come? Those are the questions you will have to consider in deciding what to do.

I think in reality what is going to happen is they're going to charge me for a replacement and I'm going to refuse. Then I'll just live with the lower quality screen because I refuse to pay them any more of my money and it won't be worth labour + screen costs if I take it elsewhere. I just wish you had more leverage as customer because there is nothing I can do really. Thank you for the help though.

 

[mjslakeridge]

You are welcome.

I agree there is not really that much you can do, short of hiring an attorney (which would cost you more than the laptop probably). It's not like you took a Jaguar in for servicing and they replaced the motor with a Yugo engine (Google Yugo if you aren't old enough to know about the "disposable" automobile).