LF - 15" SXGA+ or UXGA IPS LCD

[ZaZ]

I just acquired a 15" R60. I'd like to take out the XGA screen and swap it for either a SXGA+ or UXGA IPS screen. I'll obviously need a LCD, which is why I'm here. My preference would be for the UXGA screen as the PPI is only slightly higher than the 14" SXGA+, unless someone convinces me it's a bad idea to try. Supposedly this poster:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=48371

swapped out the LCD on a R60e for the UXGA panel, but I don't have any details as to what was involved. I've been told the R60 uses the same cable regardless of the screen, but would I need to swap out any other parts in addition to the screen? The machine I bought has the x1400 GPU if that makes a difference. I found this one on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-LCD-Sc ... 240%3A1318

Seems like a reputable seller, but you never seem to know with eBay, though it guaranteed for DOA. Does anyone have any insight on the matter or a screen to sell me? Thanks for any help.

[Johan]

Before buying any LCD for your R60, I suggest you do a little research within the issue of "EDID" and T6x/R6x ThinkPad's - see e.g. the thread 15" Flexview UXGA screen for sale and more specificly from this post and onwards. Core issue is that not all (e.g. T4x/p) LCD's may be used in T6x's/R6x's owing to the EDID.

Johan

[ZaZ]

[quote="Johan"]Conclusion? It could seem that a native R50p/T42p/T43p IDTech UXGA panel could be modified for use in a T60p, but it may take a bit of effort… (getting the EDID device, and programming it) so it is of course easier (but a also more expensive!) just to get a newer, original T60p UXGA panel, made by BOE-Hydis[/quote]

From what I gather from this, it seems getting a UXGA BOE-Hydis T60p or a SXGA+ T60 panel seems like a better course of action? I'd say reprogramming the EDID is a little beyond my skill level at this point in time. Thanks for the reply.

[Johan]

While I have no intentions of turning this "LF"-thread into a lengthy discussion (which would/should obviously take place in the R/A/G/Z-subforum), just a few additional comments about finding a SXGA+ or UXGA FlexView/IPS LCD for possible use in your R60: With reference to 15 inch LCD service parts - ThinkPad T60, T60p (many models) and the threads Manufacturer of 42T0324? (15" T60 SXGA+ FlexView LCD) and What's the best replacement Flexview screen for the T60? and FS: New 15" SXGA+ T60 FlexView/IPS LCD (FRU 42T0325), I would look out for the following parts which are all usable in T60/p's and therefore "most likely" also "ought to" work in a R60 without having to go into reprogramming the EDID:

SXGA+ : 42T0324/2T0325 (being LG-Philips LP150E05-A2) or 13N7078 (also LG-Philips) and finally 13N7196 (BOE Hydis)
UXGA: 42T0345 (ID Tech) or 13N7076 (BOE Hydis) or 13N7194 (BOE Hydis)

I have recently seen new T60/p UXGA Flexview/IPS LCD's go on eBay for around $100 - that's surely a bargain! The SXGA+ ones are available from e.g. About 247 Laptop CLD (although I am not quite sure what they mean by saying: "We will ship you a brand new fully compatible LCD" - what is meant by "compatible"?? If buying that particular P/N, then why mention "compatible - it's like you are not sure to get that specific part?). Check out eBay! I understand from the thread Upgrade R60 with IPS that George (ajkula66) has offered that you could borrow the 42T0325 that I sold him recently for a test... so that may be the lowest-cost option to try out if the R60 will indeed support a T60 SXGA+ FlexView LCD. Good luck with this very interesting project, and please keel us posted about the progress!

PS: I just came across a couple of images that shows how to disassemble a T42 LCD (also applies to R60 or T60 LCD's); see T42 NuShield Installation. Also beware of the advice by Robbyrobot in this post.

Johan

[ZaZ]

Thanks for the reply. I posted here because I need to buy a screen in addition to figuring out which is the right screen. I was hoping someone here had one. I wanted to see if I could get the UXGA to work first, which is why I hadn't taken up ajkula66 on his generous offer. Are all three of the UXGA panels you listed T60p panels and therefore most likely compatible with the R60? Looking on eBay, it looks like I can get any of them in the $200-250 range, which isn't too bad a price. Perhaps I'll get a better price if I keep looking, but price isn't as important to me as compatibility. Thanks again.

[ZaZ]

I'm still looking if anyone runs across anything.

[ZaZ]

I'm still looking. I finally have a suitable machine to do the replacement, but no screen. I've been tracking down some leads with no luck so far. There's tons of screens on eBay. I think most are replacement compatibles and not IPS. There's one IPS, but it's $260 and from Malaysia, which I'm not too keen on. There was a eBay seller who had new LG SXGA+s for $90. I was going to buy one, but didn't have a machine. You snooze you loose I guess.

[ajkula66]

I know that BobA had a bunch of leftover UXGA panels from his T42p units, in various shapes. You may want to PM him and have him select the best one...

Good luck, can't wait for results...

[ZaZ]

Thanks for the reply. I gathered from Johan it was safest to stick to the T60 IPS screens for compatibility purposes. Do you have differing opinion? So I'd probably looking for the LG 13N7078, or the one of the two BOE-Hydis panels 13N7196 or 13N7076, which I'm sure you know. Elfish posted that they have done the upgrade here on their R60, but never posted about which screen they used, though Elfish did buy a T43 screen here I think. Thanks again.

[ZaZ]

I hate to be perpetually bumping my thread, but I'm still looking. While I was sort of partial to the UXGA screen in the beginning, I'm thinking lately the SXGA+ might be a better fit. It'll be a bit easier on the eyes and I have a docking station with a WSXGA+ external monitor. So things will line up a little better. BobA said he was keeping all the good T42 screens for transplants. The ThinkPads 611 site Johan gave me isn't answering the phone or responding to emails.

The only SXGA+ screen I've found of late is this one on eBay, but I'm not sure whether is an IPS or not. I tried calling them, but they were trying to tell me Lenovo has switched to using one part number for all screens. They said it would be either a LG or a Samsung screen, but that seems odd to me because I didn't think Samsung made IPS screens for Lenovo, though they did say they bought the parts directly from Lenovo. It'd be great if it worked out because the six month warranty with no dead/stuck pixels warranty is nice. There's a UXGA screen here, which states it's FFS, but it's UXGA.

[jamiphar]

Fred, I have a brand new SXGA+ IPS screen (FRU 42T0325) that I can sell for $125 shipped. If you're interested in this, drop me a message!

[ZaZ]

Interested? You had me at "Fred". Needless to say YGPM.

[ZaZ]

I thinks I found me screen. I'm not excited at all. This thread may be locked. I guess a little persistence pays off.