An optional zero dead pixel policy

Some that see the glass half empty instead of half full will say, “We have to pay even more? ". This is true here, but this option is not imposed on everyone. If you do opt for it, it’s not too expensive.

An important point in Fujitsu-Siemens’ own words (from their French website): you can sign up in the 30 days following your purchase for the zero dead pixel policy, directly on the manufacturer’s website. There are three versions: 39 € for a year’s warranty, 59 € for two years, 69 € for three. You can also find on this page a warranty covering theft and breakage, which is a little more expensive (39/69/89 € for 1/2/3 years). Without this, the screen will be covered under classic conditions with replacement only after 3 dead black or white pixels, or 7 colored subpixels.

Should you take it? If dead pixels appear in the first month, yes, of course. If after the first two weeks, you can pass on it. Dead pixels almost always appear at the beginning of a screen’s life due to production defects.
Fujitsu describes for the warranty in question: The product replaced will be identical to the once referenced on the proof of purchase, or if the product is no longer available an equivalent product whose price (all taxes included) does not exceed the value of the price of the screen under warranty.

The L22-3W replaces the previous L22-1W, one of the first 22 inch displays on the market, which quickly became a victim of its own success. Small supplies + modest price + metal body + finesse in performances simply equaled that Fujitsu-Siemens sold everything. Its replacement starts off well and the L22-3W now has a DVI input (non HDCP) and more or less stays at the same price. Unfortunately, this new version has lost some of its charm. The metal finish and ring shaped base, which Fujitsu-Siemens was well known for, is now an entry level plastic body and a base with the finesse of an elephant’s foot. With this change we could have hoped that they would have included vertical adjustability, but no. 

A length behind the competition

While the aesthetic changed, image quality has remained the same. It still has a TN 5 ms panel without any factory pre-calibration, while its rivals theoretically (example: the Samsung SyncMaster 226BW) have pre-calibrated TN 2 ms panels. The difference in reactivity for games is obvious.
In terms of color quality, the average DeltaE (difference in the desired color and what is actually displayed on the screen) was measured at 4.3 by our probe. This result is even worse knowing that the previous version was at 3.7. A good monitor like the Samsung 226BW S series goes down to 2.4. This difference in colors on this Fujitsu-Siemens is translated into grays that have a blue dominance.
In the end, we get the impression that we have a generic screen, that hasn’t been touched by Fujitsu-Siemens engineering at a non-competitive price. What happened to this manufacturer’s fine touch for this product?

Compare its performance with the competition’s in the Side by Side section

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