I think I've just gotten a dead pixel?

Sounds like it. Sometimes they're dead, i.e. black. Other times they're stuck on a particular color. I have one dead one, one pixel in from the edge in the upper right corner. It's hard to even notice it, actually.

I believe it depends on what color it is. If its black I think you are SOL. If it is Red or Green, you can get a soft cloth and GENTLY rub it in a circular motion. Sometimes they come back on. It may happen if you power on and off...just depends.

If its not directly in the middle of the screen you will never notice it. Its like trying to notice a bad blade of grass in your lawn...

Sounds crazy, but you sure it's not a speck of dust? I nearly had a heart attack when I had a very firmly stuck on piece of dirt that seemed exactly pixel sized and shaped. Had to rub it scarily hard, but it rubbed off in the end.

Even though it is agravating to a new owner of the LCD screen, one dead pixel is within specs accordin to the LCD industry. When you get a new LCD, there is no gurantee your new monitor does not have a dead pixel. It may be possible it may have "more" stuck or dead pixels. So far, all of my 5 notebook computers do not have a dead pixel. But, my 23 inch LCD TV (by LG) has three dead or stuck pixels in the center area of the screen.

coleg said:

i am planning on getting a new powerbook. should i be worried about them having dead pixels?

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Yes, but that's a risk you run with any LCD screen, from any manufacturer. What to do depends on how many there are, where they are and what the manufacturer's policy is.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=22194

coleg said:

but, this should be no reason not to buy a powerbook, right?

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right. Because any laptop, no matter who makes it, has the risk of having a couple dead pixels.

I've got one dead pixel on my LCD and I cant even notice it unless I'm looking for it.

I have one dead BLUE pixel !! on my ibook G4

I once fixed a stuck pixel on an LCD my rubbing it with my finger. It's worth a shot