Keeping a bargain used monitor with a noticeable number dead pixels?

ironsonic · 16 Nov 2016 at 20:19

Received a used monitor XB270HU at a price of £400 from an online store. No real Backlight bleed but its got about 10 dead pixels here and there so I decide to return it.

It was advertised as "like new" but clearly it had a couple of dead pixels in the centre which seems to be caused by a hairline fracture.

Thing is the store offered me £160 pounds as partial refund if I decide to keep it. I say hold up... A working 1440p ips G-sync 27incher for £240??? But...the pixels

I'm slightly torn by my situation though. It's a fully working monitor, but it has 2 dead pixels smack dab in the centre of the screen with little specks near the corners.

Never done a partial refund before, whats your take on this fellas? I think I want to keep it and I can handle a pixel or two if it wasnt inside my crosshairs. not incerdibly noticeable but in white backgrounds (surfing) I get distracted by it now and then.

What do?

tom_e · 16 Nov 2016 at 20:20

Only you know how much they'll annoy you personally I don't think I could do it as I'd always notice them once I knew they were there.

ironsonic · 16 Nov 2016 at 20:22

I would say I do not notice them when playing games. But its on my mind when just using it. Whether it bothers me who can say? I've never just lived with a monitor with a dead pixel in such a place.

The experience of using the monitor is really nice though. I'm leaning towards keeping it but was curious on what the community thought.

adbee · 17 Nov 2016 at 07:04

Only you can make that decision.

It seems very cheap, depends on your budget and what you can afford as an alternative.

I would keep it for 12 months as a stop gap. Until something tasty comes on the market.

old gamer · 17 Nov 2016 at 08:14

10 dead pixels would be too much for me and drive me bonkers looking at them

ironsonic · 17 Nov 2016 at 10:47

old gamer said:
10 dead pixels would be too much for me and drive me bonkers looking at them

The only ones I really notice are the couple ones in the centre. the other ones are in the extreme fringes so I don't really notice them. The 1440p resolution also helps a bit because the pixels are smaller.

But thanks for your input. It is a noticeable number when comparing with my other monitors who have been perfect for many years. none of the nec monitors at my work have pixel issues. I read that this also is endemic to Acer/Asus due to poor QA.

Razor Time · 17 Nov 2016 at 11:28

I wouldn't keep it. You've already paid the money for a fully working display why compromise just to get some cash back. A display will last many PC builds and even if you do sell it down the line it's going to be allot harder to shift with dead pixels.

Get a fully working display and enjoy it as you entended to.

ironsonic · 17 Nov 2016 at 14:57

Razor Time said:
I wouldn't keep it. You've already paid the money for a fully working display why compromise just to get some cash back. A display will last many PC builds and even if you do sell it down the line it's going to be allot harder to shift with dead pixels.

Get a fully working display and enjoy it as you entended to.

I mean, it is fully working. Its not like the ULMB function is broken or I can't access the menu. Like getting a car with rear view mirror thats got a scratch on it I would imagine.

But I understand where you are coming from. Why pay for something that isn't new and unblemished? used markets I guess. Something I need to consider more.

eddiew · 17 Nov 2016 at 15:37

I wouldn't accept even one dead pixel on any screen, tbh. Maybe if it was dark and down in the taskbar area, but anything stuck on a colour would be an absolute no no.