x61 tablet advertised as SXGA+ is showing 1024 x 768

[Tentacle]

So today I received an L7700 x61 Tablet very explicitly advertised as being SXGA+, only to find the resolution to be reported as the standard 1024 x 768. Basically, I'm asking if the laptop surely doesn't have an SXGA+ panel, or if there is anything I need to do to enable support for this panel which actually is SXGA+.

My understanding is that the x61 Tablet could be purchased with this resolution, or of course modified to use an aftermarket SXGA+ panel with some assistance from the Middleton BIOS. The BI0S on this unit is from 2008, so I assume it is the default version. The laptop does however appear to have been opened at some point (as the keyboard is improperly seated), so could it could be possible that the screen actually was modified? Is it possible for this x61 to really have an SXGA+ panel, or did the seller falsely advertise? They did promptly apologize and offer a refund when I asked if they perhaps shipped the wrong unit, explaining that they were simply told (by I assume whomever they got the laptop from) that the display was SXGA+. Is there any way for me to find out besides flashing the BIOS and possibly causing return issues?

Thanks for giving this lengthy post a read, hopefully everything makes sense. And of course, thanks in advance for any insight!

[Cigarguy]

Find the 7 digit Product ID located on a white sticker underneath the laptop. Enter that info into here which show what screen resolution came with at laptop.

http://support1.lenovo.com/en_CA/downloads/default.page?#

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

You could also try downloading a program called PC Wizard as it can query the hardware in the system. Launch the program, wait while it collects the system information and then click the Video icon in the left side panel (it looks like a screen with a green nose?). The top line, Current Display, shows what resolution that Windows has in effect. It may not be the true capabilities of the display. Instead, look at the Monitor Type line. That will have the part number of the panel that's in the system; or at least what is being reported to the program. Google that part number, along with the word "resolution", and see what you find.

ref: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/pc-wizard.html

[BillMorrow]

not pushing it but I have an X60 SXGA+ tablet I just now was wondering whether to list it for sale or not..
it IS an X60, not the X61..
it is near new.. near only because I got it used and have never used it but a few times to look at the display..

[Tentacle]

Welp, both of these methods seem to suggest this really is a great disappointment. I guess that'll teach me against swiping up deals too good to be true! Thanks for the tips though, I imagine I will be using these methods again in the future!

About the x60, since the entire reason I got this latest unit is because I was supposed to be getting an SXGA+L7700 (a step up over my current XGA L7500) for merely the price the SXGA+ panel would cost me, I'll have to pass. However, I do hope to soon further assimilate into this part of these forums I've been browsing for a few months, and perhaps will throw some business your way.

So all in all, I just was looking to exhaust all of my options, hoping one would have proved to my woman that this was a necessary purchase, but I suppose that time is yet to come! Thanks for the huge (buuut I suppose necessary ) letdown!

[ajkula66]

I guess that'll teach me against swiping up deals too good to be true!

Time to return the machine to the seller for a full refund...

About the x60, since the entire reason I got this latest unit is because I was supposed to be getting an SXGA+L7700 (a step up over my current XGA L7500) for merely the price the SXGA+ panel would cost me, I'll have to pass.

Do bear in mind that the SXGA+ LCDs used on X61T are prone to bubbling where the original version used on X60T is not. Many of us have swapped entire LCD assemblies from the X60T onto a X61 base to get the best of both worlds...

[debussy]

I guess that'll teach me against swiping up deals too good to be true!

Many of us have swapped entire LCD assemblies from the X60T onto a X61 base to get the best of both worlds...

Can you explain to me how this is done and how much it would cost? I have an 1400x1050 X61T with screen bubbling that I purchased and I'd like to know my options for replacing the screen (or LCD assembly).

Thank you.

[ajkula66]

^^^^^^^

Three easy steps...

1) Download the HMM from the link at the top of this page.

2) Purchase a X60T with SXGA+ LCD and a small Philips screwdriver.

3) Open up the HMM to be viewed on another machine and follow the instructions for removal/replacement of the LCD assembly.

[debussy]

Thanks so much!

I never knew it would be that easy to get a fresh screen. I was searching all day for solutions and was looking mostly at replacing the actual display rather than the screen assembly.

[Pete B]

not pushing it but I have an X60 SXGA+ tablet I just now was wondering whether to list it for sale or not..
it IS an X60, not the X61..
it is near new.. near only because I got it used and have never used it but a few times to look at the display..

I have an X61s and would like the higher resolution of the SXGA+ does the X61s motherboard
fit straight into the X60 tablet chassis?

What I really want is the larger base and a T8100 or 8300 with the SXGA+ display, but
I don't really want to get into the complex display sway if I have to remove the touch
panel so I don't mind putting it all into the X60 tablet case if that works.

Not sure if it is a direct fit, anyone?

[axur-delmeria]

The X61s board fits inside the Tablet chassis. However, there are small differences (electronics-wise) between the two that can prevent it from working properly.

The opposite has been done before: an X61 Tablet board in a non-Tablet chassis. I know this because I've done it myself. It requires flashing the non-Tablet BIOS on the Tablet board, and the biggest issue is that most of the LED indicators stop working.

Without flashing the non-Tablet BIOS, the board will power-up for a few seconds then shut down again.

It's reasonable to expect that you'll run into similar problems running a non-Tablet board inside a Tablet chassis.

Regarding the SXGA+ mod:
The protective glass on the X60T screen is easier to remove compared to the one on the X61T.

The difficult parts in the SXGA+ mod are modifying the LCD cable and removing the metal tabs in the frame. I cracked my screen while removing the tabs and never got to modding the cable.

[Pete B]

Thanks very much for explaining all that and sorry to hear about the crack.
Do you think a nibbler would make trimming the frame easy?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nibbler

The punch and die type?