Hey guys,

I just picked up a Toshiba laptop (1st laptop)...and its got a dead pixle right out of the box.

How common is this? Is it a big deal? How many of you would/have taken it back for that? Is it going to get more dead pixles over time? My LCD monitor is three years old and hasnt had a problem....

Someone enlighten me please.

 

I would take it back not elaborate on why. Most if not all of the manufacturers won't replace it until it surpasses a certain number of dead pixels within the warranty period.

Start with 100% and you will end up with a higher % later on. It is called infant mortality on electronics or EFR, early fail rate.

I work in our corporate semiconductor reliability lab. We make semiconductors and not products for the end user but the end result is the same.

 

Yepper. Take that sucker back and get a new one.

 

Most will not consider a dead or stuck pixel for warranty panel replacement unless it's in a normal viewing area, like 2" or more from the edges and it's more than one pixel.
I would call Toshiba customer service and find out the requirements.

MikeyB

 

Yes, I know that but its BRAND new (picked it up last night). Its not an expensive machine ($1k) - but I pretty much expect it to be in perfect condition when its right out of the box.

Hey, Im asking because I dont know - so keep it coming guys

 

Most store have an XX hr/day return policy. I don't think you paid for a missing pixel.

 

Dead pixel policys are usually hidden very well.

Toshiba, although one of the best laptops you could buy (great choice, btw), has one of the worst policies. They allow at minimum 10 dead pixels before they replace it.

heres their link.

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/t...S=pixel+policy


Its not uncommon to have dead pixels out of the box. Only select high end systems offer you a 0 dead pixel guarantee.

Most companies range in the 5 to 9 range before they will consider it defective.

Is it dead or stuck? If its black, its dead. If its bright, its stuck. If bright/stuck, if you apply some pressure to that area it might go away or flicker.

I got a stuck pixel on my new laptop (about 2 months ago), and i spent about an hour rubbing the screen firm (pretty hard), on and around the pixel till it went away.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. Wouldnt hurt to give it a shot.

You cant *usually* take it back for a dead pixel.... but if you just got it and rubbing the pixel for a while dont take it out, id at least *try* to take it back, maybe even go as far as to claim another problem with it.. dead pixels are annoying!

 

Thanks Tim...Yes, its stuck (bright) rather than dead.

Are you saying I have to spend an hour rubbing it out?

 

At least yours turns on , they almost kept mine in the airport because the batt was dead and it would not turn on, i told the lady i needed to plug it in , and she decided that would take too long

 

I didnt quite say that..

 

I would definately return it to the store you bought it from. The manufacturer warranty and most store's extended plan are based on x # of pixels, but if it less than 14 day (that was the case at best buy for notebooks) then exchange it asap. And the Toshiba was a good choice.

Good luck,
Nick

 

Yes, Nick - I did get the laptop from Best Buy

 

'

Hey now,

 

They are kindof a pain when it comes to stuff like that. My mom had a laptop she bought from there and it had problems from the beginning. She had to take it back at least 3 times to get a new one. Kinda like lemon law. I'd gripe till I got a new one. Dead pixles are unacceptable on a new device to me. I work in IT and we'd send it back without hesitation.

 

I used to work at Best Buy and they are two seperate return issues that have been mentioned. 1) Dr. evil has a brand new laptop and if it is under 14 days old he should take it back to the store for a return or exchange. If they give you any hassle ask for a manager and explain the situation, but it should not be a problem.

2)PanteraGSTK: you mother had a laptop that I am assuming was outside of the return policy and she purchased the extended service plan (sorry if my assumptions are incorrect, you know what they say when you assume...). If outside the return period, the service plan states that it will try to be repaired up to 3 times, the 4th time it will be looked at and once it is verified that it is broken again, they will authorize a replacement. The exception to this is if it is broke and the repair is too expensive to be reasonable to repair, then they authorize a replacement.
Of course, management always has the right to replace it if they want.

Hope this helps,
Nick