disappointing screen brightness

[db]

Hi all:

I bought a t42 for myself a few weeks ago and then just bought two more for my organization (all the same model, with 14.1 inch low-res screen). I was very pleased with mine, except I had a nagging feeling that the screen was darker than it should be. Now I have three samples in front of me and my original computer is significantly darker and bluer than the brightest of the three (the other one is just a tad bit darker than the brightest). Is sample variation like this normal? All computers are on full brightness settings/ac power.

I am within the 30-day period after an ibm direct purchase. Since I am unhappy with the computer, would you recommend returning it and trying again, or sending it in for warranty service? I got an expecially low price on the computer because it was on sale, and I do not want to lose the bargain price.

Thanks for any assistance.

db

[K. Eng]

Check the BIOS settings to make sure that there are no settings that are lowering the LCD brightness (though since you are already running on AC power this probably isn't the problem.

Sample variation has unfortunately been a problem for manufacturers who are relying on several suppliers for LCDs, keyboards, and other components. Getting the good components can become an infuriating lottery - for example, some early runs of the Dell Inspiron 8500 were equipped with two different versions of the "ultrasharp" WSXGA+ display, one by Samsung and one by another company. The non-Samsung displays were so appallingly bad that numerous people complained on Dell's forums and Dell was forced to replace many of the displays that did not meet their own "ultrasharp" specifications.

I wouldn't bother with warranty service. All that will happen is that the Solectron tech will turn your computer on, see that it works, and send it back with a notice that "we were unable to replicate the problem."

Is there any way for you to trade your system with your organization's system since you bought all of them and they are identical in features? If that isn't possible a system return may be your only option.

Now I have three samples in front of me and my original computer is significantly darker and bluer than the brightest of the three (the other one is just a tad bit darker than the brightest). Is sample variation like this normal?