Thinkpads Forum

Hi All,

I've got a 15-inch T61 (6465-CTO) with a WSXGA+ (1680x1050) screen which has never been all that great, but I think has been getting dimmer over time. My warranty is still in effect for another 3 months, but I somehow doubt that Lenovo is going to do anything about the panel being "dim" (that being a rather subjective measure). With all that being said, I found a third-party panel that's the same resolution and size but it's a matte LED back-lit version instead; it's made by LG Philips and is a model LP154WE3(TL)(B1). Buy.com is listing the panel for about $130 after shipping here: http://www.buy.com/prod/lg-philips-lp15 ... 27354.html

My question is: is it feasible to integrate a third-party panel into a T61? If so, what additional parts will I need to replace to make this work? I used to do warranty repairs on Thinkpads a few years ago in college, but that was always using factory components sent by IBM/Lenovo to our shop. I figured it might require some type of adapter cable and perhaps a new/different inverter board.

Can anyone offer some insight?

Thanks,
Jared

Check the FRU number in the Hardware Maintenance Manual. Google that and I would think you'll find panels from several distributors/vendors.

I was hoping to get an LED back-lit panel (like the one mentioned in my first post). As far as I know, none of the factory units offered LED panels at 1680x1050.

Read that blurb again!

Video Features
Aspect Ratio: WIDESCREEN
Brand : LG PHILIPS
For this listing we will ship you a 100% Compatible Laptop LCD Screen
Lamp: SINGLE
MPN / Model: LP154WE3(TL)(B1)
Pixels:
Series: OTHER LG PHILIPS LCDS
Size: 15.4

They will send you an LG COMPATIBLE screen, not an LG screen!
Lamp: SINGLE means CCFL, NOT LED!
The original LG screen is LED-backlit, but this replacement is not.
OTOH, errors are often made in descriptions.
This needs more clarification before you jump in.

If that unit were 100% compatible, you wouldn't need any other or extra parts.

Ah, good catch on the Buy.com listing. The page that I originally found the model on is here: http://www.screentekinc.com/LG_Philips- ... (B1).shtml

The ScreenTek page clearly states that it has an LED backlight and that it's LG branded. I was listing the Buy.com page because it actually had a price, and I'm still waiting on a price check from ScreenTek. But that's all beside the point of my original question, which was: would it be feasible to integrate this (or some other third-party 1680x1050 LED panel) into the T61, and if so, what additional parts will I need to get?

Try and get the specs from that LG LCD and your current LCD.
You need manufacturer and mfg P/N. The datasheets must reflect the EXACT P/N.
A screen with a part number like e.g. LTN154-100 is NOT the same as an LTN154-101.
The new LCD needs to have an EDID chip to be IBM/Lenovo T6x compatible.
If the pinouts of both LCD connectors are identical, I see no reason why it shouldn't work.
And you then would not need any other parts.