Wouldn't the theory be if you replaced LCD in the X201 with the AFFS LCD along with the cable and the inverter, it would work or do the mount points not line up or something? The X200 and X201 share a HMM. I'm thinking they're not re-inventing the wheel here.

The LCD rear cover assemblies for the X200 and X201 are different (FRU 44C9543 and 75Y4590... see page 261 of the HMM) which suggests that they are could well be different.

That's true but since the panel's dimensions and mounting holes are standardized, a different rear cover shouldn't pose any problems in physically fitting the AFFS panel into a X201. A different FRU may simply indicate different materials or something. Since the bezel, panel brackets and other parts mounted on the rear cover are the same, they should be compatible. The real question is, will the CCFL inverter and cable from X200 work in X201 and will the BIOS accept the new panel. We won't be able to figure this out from HMM, somebody will simply have to try it.

From a quick glance at the HMM there is only FRU for the LED board across all WXGA models, and the disassembly instructions appear to be identical (although there's reference to a connector that plugs into the end of the board on the X200 which is absent on the illustration for the X201).

Can you point me to the illustrations on these panels, that detail cable connections?
C

Page 149 (in the PDF, 141 printed) shows the connections for the X200, whilst page 150 (142) shows the X201.

Well, as somebody has said, there is the extra "LED board" in the config of the X201. I don't know where this goes, but it may cause problem. I guess you can just replace the inverter and LCD cable into the X201, but the thing is that I don't know whether the X201 even has place for an inverter, as the LED panel doesn't need to be powered by the inverter.
The space for the joints should line up nicely though.

"LED board" is the board where status LEDs like HDD, WLAN, etc. are. In models with CCFL backlight which require an inverter to create a high voltage for the lamp, these status LEDs are on the inverter card. Since the panels with LED backlight don't need an inverter, they use a "LED board" in place of the inverter card.

Judging from the pictures the LED board and inverter card are of exactly the same size and either one should fit.

I recently purchased an X200 and am interested in doing the AFFS mod. According to the parts lookup, the laptop has a panel with the FRU 42T0482.

As far as I know, the HV121WX4-120 should be a drop-in replacement, but if possible I'd like confirmation from someone who's done the mod.

Thanks!
-Rob

The 120 is the matte version of the screen, but it's more scarce and probably will be more expensive than the glossy versions, which are pretty plentiful on ebay. I've got the glossy 110 in my X200. The gloss isn't too bad, but I take a good glossy screen over a poor matte screen.

Whether it's a drop in replacement depends on the screen you've got now. If it's the LED, you'll need to swap the cable and inverter in addition to the screen. If it's a CFFL screen you should be good to go. Keep in mind a lot of the BOE screens are sold with the touch surface and the digitizer still attached. They'll need to be removed so the screen fits. If you can get one without the touch surface and digitizer for not much of a premium, I'd recommend it.

I thought all the X200 WXGA were CCFL?

Does the HMM list the LED ones w/ their FRUs?

More than likely you're getting a CFFL, but to answer your question, no they are not all CFFL. Later in the X200 run they started offering LED screens on the X200. You can use the parts look up to see which you've got.

I did use the parts lookup -- my screen's FRU is above -- but I don't know a good way to determine whether or not the FRU in question is LED or CCFL-backlit.

Upon checking again, I see that the HMM does indeed list my FRU (42T0482) as CCFL-backlit. I missed it the first time I checked, but it is there.

Good deal, so it looks like it's a drop-in replacement for me! Now, to source a matte AFFS screen...

Good luck on that one. There only seems to be one available on ebay/google that's likely to be an actual 120 screen unless you've got another source?

I've been reaching out to a couple of parts dealers in China and Hong Kong that I know, but I have yet to hear back. If I do find something, I'll be sure to let folks know.

The other option is to use the -110 and apply a matte overlay myself.

I have the 110. The only time I find it to be annoying is when there's a light source directly behind me. Other than that it's a great screen.

Just a heads-up, there's a cheap source of HV121WX4-110 panels on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/280397980104

No idea how good the seller is, but given the price (pretty solid for what is supposed to be a new panel) I may end up picking up one or two from him.

Skyline has been selling the Hydis screens for a while. That's where I got mine. I would point out the one I got had the glass touch surface on it, which is tougher to remove. If you don't mind an extra $20 and the time it takes to come from China, this might be worth a look as the touch surface and digitizer are already removed or were never put on. If you wan to go cheap, there's this.

I successfully installed AFFS panel glossy (110) on X201. See my post with pics at notebookreview.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/366472-pictures-x200affs-x200-equipped-flexview-screen-28.html

Impressive I wish I could buy such normal notebook one day directly from Lenovo.

You seem to complain a lot about Lenovo LCDs, which is odd for someone who would make a comment like "wish I could buy such normal notebook one day directly from Lenovo". We usually like to hear complaints (or advice) from people who have actually seen the defects .

I hope for the day when such an upgrade will be possible for the X201s.

Getem while they're hot ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Boehydis-AFFS-IBM-X ... 0595027088

That's interesting Harry. It looks like the digitizer and touch surface are already removed or never affixed, which is a big plus. Some of the description is wrong and some of the pictures don't look that great. You'd think they'd use a better camera. I wouldn't want to rip my notebook apart again just to get the matte. I've been pretty happy with my glossy version.

I also went with the glossy when the matte versions were not available for under $200.
Very happy with it. I still have to adjust the angle of my screen for glare, but the colors seem more vibrant and there's no "shimmery" effect from matte finish.

BTW: $160 is an awesome price.

They're back ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Boehydis-AFFS-IBM-X200-X201-Lcd-Panel-HV121WX4-120-Matt-/110565903945

Just in time...thanks!

handai, can you tell me the total cost of all the replacement parts (excluding the monitor itself) that is needed to make the CCFL screen works in the X201?

I'm considering selling my X200 for the X201...

If you've already got a X200 I'd ask, what does the X201 offer that the X200 does not?

Core i5, especially hyper-threading. I do scientific computing, and CPU speed means everything. While I have a powerful desktop to run the most daunting jobs, I'd love to pack as many power into as small a package as possible.