Improving Dell Latitude XT3 screen durability

September 18, 2012

Posted By:  TabletsTeach

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I have used the XT3 convertible tablet for about  five weeks to teach science classes.  
I use the digitizing pen to explain problem solving and points of discussion in class.
However after looking at the screen from the side I noticed the N-trig screen was filled with scratches. This was not supposed to happen. 
I have had another N-Trig tablet pc from another brand for three years, and it never got a single scratch on the screen.
The XT3 simply is not scratch resistant, and this is using the pen provided with the system.
N-trig systems are supposed to come in pairs: screen and digitizer stylus or pen. Its surface is supposed to be scratch-resistance or proof. I use soft pressure on the screen, but the screen looks like a bad cat lectured a crazy math class with it all over.
I think Dell tablet pc engineers need to sit down with the N-trig people and redesign the screen protection layer and the tip surface of the pen. The screen needs to have a layer to protect it and the pen tip needs to be softer and not made of hard plastic.
And once this is done, Dell should get in contact with XT3 owners and help them replace the screen module and pen for free, because obviously this scratch-prone syndrome was a manufacturer's hiccup.
Please do correct this problem, or the XT3 could be the last attempt to maintain a hybrid convertible tablet pc on the market.
Convertible Tablet PCs like the XT3 still represent a good idea, teachers need something like it, because one cannot really teach with capacitive screen (you cannot write well on them, take for example the Dell Inspiron Duo, another hiccup in design because of a screen you cannot write on it!).


 

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  • Sep 20, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By: IdeaStorm Moderator Cy_J

    Thank you for the pictures.  I have sent them to my quality assurance contacts and given them your email address in case they want additional information.
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  • Sep 20, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By: TabletsTeach

    Here is an image of the screen scratched.  The main difference I found between the surface of the XT3 is that it is non-glare, while the other Tablet PC I had that never had a scratch is shiny, polished glass. I think that was the mistake. While making it nice to read, either N-trig engineers or Dell contractor forgot a simple principle: friction. If you come up with a non-glare surface it will have micro particles on the surface that will essentially attract scratches. If it is glassy, the pen slides with much less fricition, avoiding scratches for long.  So it just takes a monolayer of dust and the non-glare surface irregularities -precisely to make it non-glare- that will produce all the scratches. And if the air is too dry many particles will adhere to the surface increasing the probability of scratches that will prevent the surface sensors to do their work: initiate the inking process.

    Scratches on the XT3 screen made with the pen provided and light touches.
    Another one:
    Another closer view of the scratched XT3 screen without abuse, just plain soft inking.

    Dell research should have done a simple test with several screens from N-trig including:

    1. Measure the average pressure (with upper and lower limits) made by a hand to ink correctly
    2. Take those pressure values and program a robot arm to ink on a screen about 10, 100, 1000 and 10,000 times a programmed file with text, figures, and other common drawings across the whole screen.
    3. Measure the scratch levels with a contact scanning microscope and determine the damage percent after each set of writings.
    4. If one gets more than 5% surface damage on say 1000 times, Dell must consult with N-Trig. 
    5. Try the same experiment with a glassy screen instead of the non-glare one. N-Trig has those (another leading manufacturer that used N-Trig has glassy screens, I can only tell one letter: h.  And theirs do not show scratches.)

    Another thing, every XT3 and ST should be tested so they do not have a "blank" spot or region on the screen where inking does not work. Apparently they only do the software diagnostics but they did not tested the inking and looked for "blank" or "blind" spots. Mine came with a blind spot (of 1-1/2" across from top to bottom at about 9-1/2" from the left side).
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  • Sep 18, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By: IdeaStorm Moderator Cy_J

    Sorry to hear you are not satisfied with the screen quality.  Can you supply a picture for reference that I can show to my quality assurance contacts?