X30H and X3i Screens Different??

Steve2006 · 03-17-06, 05:49 PM

I've had an X3i for about a year and a half. I just bought an X30H off ebay and it arrived today. The screen looks different. When both units are off, the X3i screen looks darker, almost black, whereas the X30H screen looks lighter, and kind of greenish. When the units are on, I noticed the X3i screen gets MUCH brighter (using the brightness slider) than the X30H. The X30H's brightest setting is about equal to the X3i's at less than half brighness!! Unbelievable. Does anyone have an idea what's going on? Did Dell use two different screens in these models, or could I have an X30 with a third party replacement screen? Has anyone else had a chance to compare the two screens and seen a difference, or not? Also, would it be possible to swap the screens without too much difficulty? I appreciate any help, I hope someone else has noticed this.

treyjazz · 03-17-06, 07:02 PM

The brighter screen is noted in a review @ http://www.bargainpda.com/default.as...=Dell+Axim+X30. But it also points out why they think the x30 has a better screen. I have not seen an x3i and can't compare it side by side but I know it puts my old PPC (Toshiba E330) to shame when you compare the screens side by side. :)

Steve2006 · 03-17-06, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by treyjazz

The brighter screen is noted in a review @ http://www.bargainpda.com/default.as...=Dell+Axim+X30. But it also points out why they think the x30 has a better screen. I have not seen an x3i and can't compare it side by side but I know it puts my old PPC (Toshiba E330) to shame when you compare the screens side by side. :)

Thanks for the link treyjazz. He mentions that there's a difference but he says they share the same maximum brightness. That's certainly not what i'm seeing. As I said before, the X30's maximum brightness is equal to the X3i's at less than half. I'll try to upload some pics if anyone's interested.

treyjazz · 03-17-06, 11:06 PM

Yeah you should really do that. It might be something wrong with your x30. I know on my x30 if I turn the brightness all the way up it hurts my eyes even in a well lit room = very bright.

Steve2006 · 03-18-06, 09:34 PM

Here's some pictures to show the differences:

The X30 is on the left. With the units off, you can see that the X30 has a 'lighter' display.

Now with the both units set at max. It looks like just a color difference due to the camera, but the X3i display is actually much brighter.

X30 on the left. Note the positions of the brightness sliders. The brightness levels are about equal, but the X30 is at maximum.

Steve2006 · 03-20-06, 03:50 AM

OK, so clearly these screens are different. Not only the brightness, but in the first picture with the units off they really look like different screens (X30 has a green tint, X3i black).

Can anyone with an X30(H) tell me which of the first picture your screen looks like (green or black, unit off)? I sort of think the screen on my X30 was replaced because I think the blacker screen is better (brighter, at least). I don't thinki Dell would have used an inferior screen for the X30's from the X3's, do you?

mettelaie · 03-20-06, 08:12 AM

Well I have a Rev A14 X30H and as far as it looks to me, the screen is just black when off, i think your screen could have possibly been replaced, or it could be just a specific hardware revision with that kind of screen, Dell have been known to change manafacturer half way through a product lifecycle,

What revision number is it, (says under bat)

Mine seems to be black though

Matt

Steve2006 · 03-20-06, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by mettelaie

Well I have a Rev A14 X30H and as far as it looks to me, the screen is just black when off, i think your screen could have possibly been replaced, or it could be just a specific hardware revision with that kind of screen, Dell have been known to change manafacturer half way through a product lifecycle,

What revision number is it, (says under bat)

Mine seems to be black though

Matt

Thanks Matt, mines revision A12. That's a good idea to compare the revision numbers. I'm not surprised yours is black, I have a feeling that's what they used on all of them and this is a replacement. Too early to tell right now. Hopefully more comparisons will come in and give a clearer picture. Thanks.

Steve2006 · 03-21-06, 07:25 PM

C'mon guys give me 2 seconds of your time and compare your X30 screens to the top picture so I can see if there are any other light-colored/green tint screens on the X30. It would really help me to try to figure this out. Thanks.

treyjazz · 03-22-06, 02:09 AM

My screen is black. Probably won't help much but it is between 2 and 3 times as bright as my old PPC (Toshiba E330) at full brightness. :)

My x30H looks exactly like your x3i -- both on and off. Mine is also an A12. It probably is a replacement screen from an early version of the hardware. Doesn't make sense why the x3i (which is older) would have a better screen though...

PillagingJack · 03-22-06, 02:16 PM

Hey, I see your pic and you do have a replacement screen on your x30H. I have the exact same thing. Unfortunately my screen wont get as bright as it used to do either. If you have any more questions, let me know... I replaced my own screen, so I know the look..haha... give me a buzz if you need anything else..

Steve2006 · 03-22-06, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by PillagingJack

Hey, I see your pic and you do have a replacement screen on your x30H. I have the exact same thing. Unfortunately my screen wont get as bright as it used to do either. If you have any more questions, let me know... I replaced my own screen, so I know the look..haha... give me a buzz if you need anything else..

Hi PillagingJack, yes, please give me the details; what screen is it, where did you get it etc. ..and, is it hard to do, because i'd like to try swapping the X3i and X30 screens. Thanks so much for your help, this is just the sort of info I was hoping to find.

PillagingJack · 03-22-06, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Steve2006

Hi PillagingJack, yes, please give me the details; what screen is it, where did you get it etc. ..and, is it hard to do, because i'd like to try swapping the X3i and X30 screens. Thanks so much for your help, this is just the sort of info I was hoping to find.

I got my screen from PDAPARTS.COM it looks exactly the same as the picture. Replacing the screen is a piece of cake, however there are a few things to remember:

1) The connector ribbons - when you are replacing the ribbon back into the slot, the ribbon goes on top of the clip. Dont force the clips back down if they dont go, other wise you have to makeshift like I did..haha

2) Watch the little tabs that hold the screen in place. The tab on the top has a tendency to fold under when you insert the new screen.

Replacing the screen is quite simple in and of itself, so if you do, I will gladly write out full instructions. Or if you poke around pdaparts.com for a while, I think they have a video explaining how to do it.

Steve2006 · 03-22-06, 08:42 PM

Thanks PillagingJack, I found the video; it looks pretty simple but if I have any problems i'll pm you. Funny they don't have the same screens Dell uses. Do you think they (PDAparts.com) have them specially made from a different factory or something? Kind of shady not to tell people they are different screens, especially since they underperform the Dell originals. I think anyone looking for a replacement screen would be better off getting a low end X3/X30 off ebay and using that screen.

Again, thanks for coming forward with this information. The different screens were very puzzling to me, and thanks to you the mystery is solved.