I'm thinking of buying one of these monitors for personal use.

However, I'm reading alll these horror stories about wide-spread backlight problems with the 2005FPW, and numerous dead pixels on both 2005FPW and 2001FP, and starting to doubt whether I should make this purchase.

Should I buy now for $449 + tax (Dellf + Amex coupons), or wait until Dell addresses these issues? Knowing myself, I won't sleep good even if I have one dead pixel, but the $449 price is really hard to ignore.

Do you guys have experience dealing with these issues? Are they really that wide-spread as I read from the comments on FW?

Also, how easy is it to get a replacement from Dell? Do they pay for return shipping? Do they send a new replacement or refurbished one (God forbid!) ?

Sorry for asking so many questions. But I really need to make the decision before the coupons expire, or before Dell decides to not allow stacking of these coupons.

Thanks, guys!

I've had the Dell 2001FP for about a year now. No dead or stuck pixels in mine (as far as I could tell).

I think the contrast ratio and/or brightness could be better, but otherwise I love my 2001FP. Since I've had it for so long, I guess it's "older technology" but I don't think you can beat its price.

Getting a replacement is very easy. My first 1800FP had dead pixels (around 8). they shipped the replacement (brand new) and paid the return shipping immediately.

If I had the Dell coupon from Amex I wouldn't even think twice about ordering a 2001FP so I can have a dual monitor setup. Currently I have the 2000FP so I assume they would go well together.

Like I said, would.not.hesitate...

BTW my 2000FP has no dead pixels, but I would assume if you had a problem with it that Dell would try to make it right.

I think Dell's policy was replacement if there are more than 6 dead pixels?