After going without a personal computer for two weeks, I'm finally back up and running. I really miss not having a computer - work ones don't feel like home.

I replaced my LCD screen in my 5 year old Dell when it got cracked in November. Unfortunately it started to flicker and die in the two weeks ago.

So I returned the old one, and tried to order a new one from Amazon reseller Techorbits. I wanted to upgrade from 1600p to 1080, and one with a better color gamut, contrast and brightness. The screen I ordered was this - - pretty much the highest quality 17.3 display my video card could support (only a 40pin connector)

Despite paying for the better screen, they sent me a terrible Chi Mei panel with even worse viewing angles and colors than I had before. The resolution is better but that is all. I called the company, and their rep insisted the panel was just as good and that's why they could send it. Nowhere was this mentionedd and it's obviously not true just looking at the spec sheets.

Resolution | Response Time | Contrast | Brightness | VIewing Angles | NTSC Color Gamut | Backlight
AUOptronics
B173HW01 V4
1920x1080    8ms    600:1    300    140/120    262k (6-bit)    90%    B+RG LED

Chi Mei
N173FGE-L21
1600x900    8ms    650:1    220    90/65    262k (6-bit)        W-LED

I'm using it for the time being and not reassembling the computer because I want to this up with Amazon - completely false advertising. Techorbits of Aliso Viejo, CA, what a shitty way to run a business.



In the mean time, I also needed to replace my wifi card, as it had died, and the LCD LVDS cable as it was starting to lose contact. So now everything works fine again, besides the old battery. Maybe one day I'll buy a new computer but with an SSD this does everything I need.

I also finally got around to upgrading to Fedora 21 via FedUp- look, transparent terminal windows!! I never knew how much I needed them. Not too many obvious changes but I haven't poked around too much.