Hi Friends,
I'm using a laptop for the first time with Inkscape. In general, I've noticed that colors near the top of the screen are always deeper and richer than colors near the bottom of the screen, which are lighter and paler. It didn't seem to be a serious problem, until I've now started drawing (and coloring) with Inkscape. Now I can't figure out what colors to use. Is the truest color in the middle, top or bottom? I think this is an LCD screen, if it matters (although I can't seem to find info about it at the moment). Should I have gotten something different (if there ARE other kinds, I have no idea)?

So I'm curious how other people handle this. Is there some kind of solution for the machine (non-Inkscape fix)? Or is there something I can do to Inkscape to make it easier to color drawings on this screen? Or are laptops not considered the best kind of computer to use for graphics design?

Thanks for your help

It's the angle of the screen, can you change the angle so the screen is "perpendicular to your eyes"? I'm guessing you need to lower the screen backwards (away from keyboard).

I've played around with it a LOT, but there doesn't seem to be any point where a solid color remains the same intensity from top to bottom of screen. I have found a couple of points where it's minimized as much as possible. But none that eliminate the problem. I wish the screen....I don't know the right word, but I wish it would kind of ratchet back, so that it clicks, so that I could count the clicks and know that I have it in the perfect position every time I open it.

Anyway, thanks prkos

Prkos is right, just change the angle a bit. i have a laptop too, so comfortable i can draw wherever i want!

You don't always sit in the same position right? I know I adjust laptop monitor whenever I shift a bit, clicks might help but I've never heard of a laptop that has that.

Have you tried adjusting the brightness and contrast to get better color reproduction? There are tutorials you can find online on how to do it.

Could also be a backlight panel going out on you. If this laptop is under warranty, I would contact warranty support on the matter. If you bought it in a store, I would also check to see if this is a common problem of the hardware they selected. This highlights the difference between common LCDs and LCDs for graphics design work. Consistency and accuracy are pretty important for graphics design where most people never seem to notice the quality issues you are identifying.

As Prkos indicated, the angle is also rather important as is the distance between the LCD and your eyes. If you are too close, no angle adjustment will give satisfactory results.

So what kind of laptop and display are you using?

It's a Dell Studio 1558 running Windows 7 64-bit, and is definitely still under warranty. When I was building the system, I told them I needed to do graphics work on it, so hopefully it's of sufficient quality. Is there some way to test the backlight thing? A while back I was looking for backlighting settings, because I was looking at white pages with cataracts in both eyes, and was hoping to make it more comfortable. But I never found anything about backlighting, not even in Windows Help and Support. Is it possible there is no backlighting, or is that a standard thing with LCD?

When you ask about what kind of display, do you mean the driver or adapter? The adapter is ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470.
The other day I had open Devices and Printers (from Control Panel), which told me that something needed troubleshooting. Intel Turbo Boost Technology Driver needs reinstalling. I clicked Apply this fix, but it didn't work. Now says "[this device] has a driver problem". I suppose there may be some way to do this manually (or try to anyway), but since I'm not sure what turbo boost technology is...well, I could guess that it refers to the speed of the processor...anyway, I decided not to worry about for now. BUT if it has something to do with the display or monitor or graphics driver, then I will definitely call tech support.

Well, I'm typically working with it on my lap, I'd say screen is...approx. 16 inches from my nose. I do try to keep it perpendicular to my line of sight. But as prkos mentioned, shifting position can change it, without me necessarily realizing it. I can't move it farther away, because it hits my knee bones, which makes it uncomfortable to rest on the bones. Unfortunately, I'm a "squirt" (short person 5'3"), which I assume puts the screen closer than if a taller person was using it. Anyway, the distance can only be changed closer, but not farther away.

Thanks for your help erroneus

When I say "display" I mean the LCD (or OLED) display panel assembly.

Add more distance between you and the display and see if the consistency problem diminishes. If it does, there will be less you can do to convince Dell to replace it. If there is no change, you should be able to have them replace it.

16 inches from the display means that your eyes will only be effectively perpendicular to a limited portion of the screen. Moving back another foot or two should be sufficient for testing... though clearly not for practical use.

In the event that a different (type or model of) LCD can be installed and that the consistency problem diminishes with distance, you will have to go to a different model of computer. I would recommend the Dell Precision line. Getting one that display 1920x1200 or 1920x1080 would likely yield satisfactory results.

When I say "display" I mean the LCD (or OLED) display panel assembly.

Well that's what I'm not sure about. When I look it up, all I can find is "Generic PnP Monitor". I just assume it's LCD because when I gently touch it with a fingernail , it squishes slightly. Plus I remember when building the system, having the choice of 1080p or...whatever the other standard is (I chose the lower one).

Yes, moving it away from me by 10 to 12 more inches does diminish or improve, but still not completely resolve, the problem. One thing I've just noticed is that if I use it in a well lighted room, the problem is not nearly as bad as when I'm in a nearly dark room. Maybe that makes sense? This is my 1st experience with an LCD screen.

As far as replacing the screen, it IS still under warranty. But for exchanging for a different model, it's been well over 30 days since I purchased, so there could be an extra fee involved. Plus I have NO desire to set up a new system again. Replacing the screen would be my preference, but I''m not clear that it's defective. Does the test of moving it farther away indicate a backlighting problem, as you first suggested? If so, I'll just call tech support.

By your description, it doesn't sounds "defective" by any standards a Dell technician would recognize.

As for your hardware manager's recognition of the display hardware being seen as "plug'n play" I wouldn't worry about it. It will not affect performance much as it is usually all about scan lines, resolution and sync speed. On the other hand, "color matching" is handled in other dialogs and color matching is of higher importance to a graphics person.

Your best compromise in this case would be to invest in a high quality external display. It should be one that is specifically for graphics people as anything else might be sub-standard. But once connected and identified by the system, color matching data could then be applied to ensure the colors on the display more closely resemble the colors you intend the world to see in print or where ever.

We're definitely venturing beyond the scope of this board's use and relevance here though.

We're definitely venturing beyond the scope of this board's use and relevance here though.

Yes, I will move this topic to the Off Topic forum. I should have posted there in the first place

As for high performance graphics display, I should say that I'm not a professional by any stretch. I usually call myself a hobbyist around here. So there is literally nothing at stake should colors not appear quite as accurately as they should or could. This issue is probably only an issue for me (excluding professionals in the comparison). It isn't bad enough that I would want to go to all the effort of setting up a new system or investing in special equipment. I don't forsee even frequent repositioning of the screen/lid as a problem for me. Probably will be annoying at times, but live and learn, as they say

On the other hand, "color matching" is handled in other dialogs and color matching is of higher importance to a graphics person.

Yes, I have seen the Display Color Calibration dialog. And some of it I've tweaked to my liking. But part of it requires calibration software, which I don't have (and probably don't need). But this issue, with more intense colors at top, doesn't seem like something that calibration could fix.

And yes, I do have a desktop computer, and therefore a home network of 2 computers . I haven't figured out how to send info from one computer to the other yet, but I'm pretty sure there's a way to do it. And I do plan to learn soon, lol.

This definitely has been a learning experience though, and I sincerely appreciate your comments and effort to help. Next laptop, I'll pay more attention to the display hardware, now that I know I need to. By then, maybe my skills will deserve it

Anyway, thanks again. I feel better knowing it's not a defective screen!