Are you sure it's glass - I don't recall ever seeing a glass-fronted laptop display!

To clean my laptop screen
1) I use a dry tissue to gently wipe away dust.
2) Small stubborn marks can usually be removed gently with a damp finger and then wiped clean with a tissue.

Since you have used a variety of liquids so far with smears as a result, I would recommend a spectacle cleaning cloth, warm steamy breath, a bright light and about ten minutes of gentle, careful cleaning. As a last resort, you could try a drop of vodka (or isopropyl alcohol) if the display really does have a glass front.

Kaled.

I just used Windex. Someone at Yahoo Answers suggested that. It works beautifully! Minimal streaks. Thank you.

Soft cloth, a bit of liquid dishwashing soap in water (a drop or two!). DAMP NOT WET gently scrub the worst spot (AT EDGE). Wipe clean, let dry, see if there's any change in your screen appearance. If it looks okay, do the whole screen. Windex also works, but be aware it does contain trace amounts of ammonia. Do the small section test first before doing whole screen.

I just put my laptop in the dishwasher! Works like a dream.

Seriously I use a solution designed for windows, apply it with a sponge. Then keep gently wiping as it evaporates. Sometimes it can take a few attempts to get it smear free, but I find if you clean it regularly it tends to be easier to clean each time. I think the smear problems arrises when you leave the screen to gather dirt and grime over time.

Mack.

I'm with webfoo. I moisten a paper towel with Windex and give the screen a good cleaning. It's got a glass-fronted display. I wish it didn't cause it's so highly reflective. But it does and Windex works great. Just don't spray Windex on the display itself cause I worry it might run down inside the display and short something out.

Just out of interest, who makes laptops with glass-fronted displays. To be clear, a glossy screen doesn't mean it's glass. I think, all it means is the anti-glare coating has been left off. Glass is heavier and more fragile than plastic - I can think of no reason why a laptop manufacturer would use it.

I know that some manufacturers claim that their glossy screens have multiple fancy coatings but I also know BS when I see it.

Kaled.

The computer in question is a Dell XPS M1530 laptop. It has a glossy screen - it looks like glass, But I'm not 100% sure. It does have a lot of glare. It's not like other screens that are spongy and soft.

Kaled, the one I was referring to is a HP. I think it's called a Pavillion. It's about five years old and the front looks and feels like glass. It's quite heavy.

As a general rule, don't assume a display has a glass front even if it is glossy.

Glass cleaning materials can contain solvents and mild abrasives both of which can damage plastics. Refer to manufacturer manuals for advice before using anything more than a slightly damp tissue or cloth.

The models you mention may be glass, I don't know, but other people reading this thread should not be left with the wrong idea.

Kaled.

White vinegar. Cleans nicely and won't harm anything.

Vinegar smells bad, though.

*** Seriously I use a solution designed for windows ***

Is there a version for 'nix or Mac available? [runs away::very fast]

Just a follow up. I contacted Dell support. They said to use a 50/50 isropropyl alchohol / water solution. Apply it with a microfiber cleaning cloth (such as those used to clean eyeglasses). This worked fantastically for me.

The support agent was not able to confirm what the screen was made of (glass, plastic, composite, ...).

I've been using "pure" isopropyl alcohol and dust free cotton for years to clean my screens both glass, polarizing coated and laptops.

No ill effect ever. YMMV, as always.

Tricky bit lately is that my supply of isopropyl and dust free cotton is slowly running out, and finding new is proving to be very hard. For the dust free cotton, microfiber designed for cleaning windows works (even on a mac :o ), but I'm hesitant using other alcohols (possible effect on coatings) or to the mixing in of water (making it conductive to electricity).