To upgrade from SXGA+ to UXGA or not...

[Troels]

Hi,
Well.. my 15" 2379-dxu screen has some pressure marks, and i can't get rid of them in any other way than replacing the screen. I did not contact IBM, but i'm almost sure they won't replace such an expensive part because it is possible to create pressure marks.

I just really can't decide if it is just throwing away money ... I look at it this way, but don't know how much reasoning there is to it - so please give me your opinion:
A new/used T42p is ~EUR 1300 today... I paid a little less for mine... the UXGA screen is somewhat expensive at $500 i believe... and the T42 is still slower than the newer machines (T60) but then again, they will be equally outdated graphics wise when DX10 is released. I really love the T42.... but is this a stupid move?

Searching for the UXGA part no. on google reveals a couple of sites all having this panel and selling it for a good deal less than IBM. How so? Do i get the same FlexView UXGA panel that IBM sells - or is it inferior in any way?

Would part. no. 92P6753 fit?
EDIT: What about T60 screens in a T42 (13N7076) is this possible?
Thank you in advance

[Troels]

Aww this is a tough one..

[christopher_wolf]

I would recommend toughing it out, depending on how bad the marks are, and waiting until you see either a T60 or a T61 that you like. If you want to take the path of replacing the screen, either get one from IBM/Lenovo or from a *trusted* online source if you want one cheaper.

One forum member had success buying from other sites that had the exact same LCD panels that are required and paying to put the panel in the Thinkpad. As far as I remember, it worked too.

Whether or not you want to buy a newer Thinkpad model depends on not just the pressure marks, but what else you want to do with it that justifies the extra expense and possible lack of DX10 capability.

[Troels]

Thank you. That's the problem... the marks were genererated by the trackpoint cap and the left par of the palmrest, next to the trackpoint buttons - so it's in the middle of the screen.

I think that thinkpads are too expensive and too good machines to just ditch. I mean, if i upgrade to T60, something better will be out, and then along comes widescreen, and then DX10 graphics, and then Core 10 Duo and so on... All machines will still work, and if it's for gaming it would be so much easier with a desktop system and just upgrade the $200 part once every third year.

The UXGA screen is $350 and there's a return policy of 30 days money back, should it not work or not satisfied with the product. The screens are new and no defects. They also have QXGA panels, but I'm sure they won't fit, but with that kind of policy it's really tempting to try it someday

EDIT: By the way, I asked IBM customer support if the QXGA panels will work with the 15" T4x models .. just to make sure, and the answer was "no, they are not compatible"...

[Troels]

Just doing a little thread recycling since the topic is the same.

I have given up on finding a T6x series machine because of the current absence of uxga, and people who are dissappointed with the sxga+. So the few UXGA models that were sold in comparison will remain very expensive in the future on the used market. (Guesstimate)

So in a few days i will recieve a UXGA from a T42p for $144 incl delivery, apparently in very good condition, so i hope this is the case.
And yes, this is the real flexview panel from a T42p.

I did some further searching on the board on what else was required besides the panel in a SXGA+ to UXGA upgrade. But nothing certain turned up. Some say the lcd cables are different, while others say they are identical.

So, does anyone know for sure?

[At0mAng]

Just doing a little thread recycling since the topic is the same.

I have given up on finding a T6x series machine because of the current absence of uxga, and people who are dissappointed with the sxga+. So the few UXGA models that were sold in comparison will remain very expensive in the future on the used market. (Guesstimate)

So in a few days i will recieve a UXGA from a T42p for $144 incl delivery, apparently in very good condition, so i hope this is the case.
And yes, this is the real flexview panel from a T42p.

I did some further searching on the board on what else was required besides the panel in a SXGA+ to UXGA upgrade. But nothing certain turned up. Some say the lcd cables are different, while others say they are identical.

So, does anyone know for sure?

I upgraded my T42 from XGA to SXGA+ and I had to replace the ribbon.

[EOMtp]

Deleted.

[Troels]

Ok, i finally managed to find a difference in the parts list, and it wasn't easy to spot.

LCD cable assembly SXGA+: 91P6857
LCD cable assembly UXGA: 91P6858

Luckily he is shipping the LCD with the ribbon cable, so i will inspect the cables when i have them side by side to see if there is any difference.
According to idtechs pdf files of the UXGA screen the're some rather strict cable requirements, so maybe the difference is electrical (wave impedance etc.)