Shelf life and compatibility of old stock new LCD

[psun9999]

Hi,

I am looking into purchasing a spare 15 in. 1400x1050 IPS LCD screen for my T60 if I can find a new one at a reasonable price.

1. Since these screens are old stock, do these screens have a shelf-life. Even if the LCD is not powered, does the LCD screen deteriorate over time since the material inside the LCD is semi-liquid?

2. Does the FRU # have to be labelled on the LCD in order for the LCD to work with the Thinkpad. For example, does FRU 40T0325 have to be labelled on a LP150E05-A2K1 LCD? Is the FRU # the manfacturer's part # or IBM's part #?

3. In my search for the replacement LCD screen, some places sell non IPS 15 in. 1400x1050 replacement screens that are claimed to be compatible for my Thinkpad. How would I be able determine compatibility without actually connecting the LCD screen to my Thinkpad?

4. Where can I look on the internet for replacement IPS LCD screens?

[Troels]

1. Not that i know of. The only thing that could detoriate is the color filters if exposed to strong UV for longer periods of time, they may fade, and the different polarizer sheets will yellow over time also.

2. The FRU number is IBM/Lenovo part numbers only. Manufacturers such as LG/Philips can write any custom part numbers in addition to the panel model number if the customer wants to. I don't know LG/Philips suffix scheme in particular, but i would assume that A2K1 was a custom job for Lenovo. If it turns out the screen doesn't work, it can always be made to work by reflashing the EEPROM storing the EDID.

3. Stay away from "compatible" screens. They are almost certainly not flexview panels. There is no way you can check by looks if it will work - only check that the connector matches up and is 30 pins wide. Even if the seller states these as "compatible" they may not even be, often if the resolution, screen dimensions and pinout are all correct many sellers assume they work, and claim them as compatible.

4. I don't know whereabouts in Canada you might find flexview panels, but if worldwide is also ok, then i have a few ideas. Does it have to be 1400x1050? If 1600x1200 is also fine, i'd recommend taking a look at this: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=87611 - the panels are new, from 2008 (!). I am not affiliated with the seller, but if you want a very recently produced Flexview, this is the ticket. Else, keep an eye out on the marketplace here, ebay or taobao.com.

Oh, and welcome

[psun9999]

Hi,

Thanks for responding to my email.

Could you please clarify whether the polarizer sheets will fade over time even in a storage environment.

I had difficulty from many of the sites specializing in LCDs that claimed to offer a compatible LCD for my T60 15 in. 1400x1050 IPS screen to confirm whether the screens were IPS. Some places would not provide the manfucturer or specifications for the LCD screen they were selling. I am not sure why these sellers are doing this. If the buyer cannot get the LCD screen to work, the buyer would want his money back.

[Troels]

If it's stored in sunlight, then the polarizers become more and more yellow tinted. Normally they are however stored vertically in shipping boxes, so no sunlight, and the polarizers will remain as new. So no, they won't fade if they are kept away from sunlight (UV light).

They probably don't know what IPS panels are. Most customers are happy about the LCDs they receive since the TN panels more or less are of equal quality. For most laptops, swapping in the LCD would work just fine. Some more specialized sellers might flash the EEPROM with an EDID that they know work, if the specific laptop requires an EDID. But yeah, you are completely right - if it doesn't work the buyers are definitely going to claim back their money.