Problem: Want AFFS upgrade, have 1440x900 x200s, need advice

[mooglenorph]

Hello. I know that there is no 1440x900 AFFS screen available, but I just can't deal with the current panel in this laptop. Even though the resolution is good, the viewing angles and awful colors are driving me crazy. If this was my only computer, probably I could get used to it, but my desktop has a couple of beautiful dell IPS displays. So, I'm posting to ask about my options: it seems like I could replace the entire upper lid and display frame of my x200s with a lid and display frame compatible with a BoeHydis? I've done some research and I think (please confirm) that the current parts in my laptop would not mount a boehydis screen meant to upgrade a "normal" x200s.

Basically, I need some advice. Would selling my x200s fetch a good enough price to get another one, with the normal resolution, which I could then upgrade? I bought it in september, NIB overstock from thinkpaddepot, and it is in excellent condition. That seems like a huge hassle though and would deprive me of a laptop for a while.

Alternately, what exactly would I need to buy to replace the display mounts on my current model, and swap out my screen for the lower-resolution but way-nicer BoeHydis screen? Could someone help me identify the FRUs, etc? I have never done a display upgrade before and have never worked on laptops, but I used to build my own computers for fun before I got too busy with school, so I don't mind performing this process at all, even if it is somewhat more hassle than a normal display upgrade (ie, one that doesn't involve swapping out the entire display assembly).

I am kicking myself for getting the laptop with the higher resolution, my life would be way easier if I'd just gotten the other one. "How bad could the viewing angles and color possibly be," I said, "I probably won't notice it much after a week or two," I said... well, its been months now and I still hate it. This is my first thinkpad that I've stuck with and I hate the display, but love everything else... keyboard, trackpoint, build quality, hinges, battery life, weight, its all SO good. I stuck an ssd in there and now it is stupid fast, as well. So, I'm willing to spend some money (couple hundred? maybe three?) to fix my stupid mistake and be happy with this laptop for the next decade or so, I don't really use any programs besides emacs and I don't see system requirements for that changing much

(amusingly, I'm also an early buyer of an x220, who got burned by image persistence on the IPS display. had to return the thing, the defective display was unbearable, and picked up my x200s for less than half the price. good on lenovo for FINALLY owning up to that mess, months after I had to return my laptop. so I have a history of making mistakes wrt thinkpad displays)

[vinuneuro]

Starting with a machine with the WXGA+ screen you'd need new lid/bezel/hinge/antenna. There's a whole thread on the AFFS upgrade

Been thinking about selling my X220 for an X200s the last few days, but sounds like maybe it would be a painful switch. If you like IPS you may want to try another one. All units produced since August have a revised screen, new p/n and all.

I've seen the AFFS screens on X200 tablets and the image quality wasn't anything great imo, viewing angles were good though. Maybe it was the lack of led backlight, and that's something you won't have either if you retrofit.

I was prepared to just live with the ghosting in my X220, but it seems quality on the early screens was pretty bad. In the last month it has also developed two fairly large bright spots on the right side. Guess the screen will be replaced after all.

[ZaZ]

Not all X200t had CFFL screens. My X200t had the Hydis LED. It was a bit grainy due to the tablet overlay, but was excellent otherwise.

[vinuneuro]

Not all X200t had CFFL screens. My X200t had the Hydis LED. It was a bit grainy due to the tablet overlay, but was excellent otherwise.

Afaik only the cffl version can be used for retrofit.

[The Solutor]

I know that there is no 1440x900 AFFS screen available

AFAIK the problem isn't the lack of an AFFS replacement, but the lack of any replacement, looks like the toshiba X200s display is the only 1440x900 12.1" ever built, anything else is not 12.1" or is not 1440x900.

BTW as you already read, you need the cover, the front bezel, the video cable and the inverter, maybe the antennas could be keep with a little work

Keep in mind also that the Hydis AFFS display is not your only option, a samsung PVA panel is also compatible, its model number is LTN121AP02, FRU number 42T0563, and is a direct replacement for the X200[s] equipped with CCFL displays.

I had the LED version (LTN121AP03) on the X200t and was a great display, maybe is not as good as the Hydis one, but is a light year from the standard TN panel, is matte, is way cheaper and is not meant for tablets, so no need to remove manually the touch surface and the digitizer board.

[mooglenorph]

I'd be fine with going down to a lower resolution to get a better display, I just don't know exactly which part numbers I need to buy to replace the display housing. I've been digging through the forums and can't seem to find this information.

[vinuneuro]

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-70510

[The Solutor]

Basically this is what you need to do the mod:


Coming from a CCFL X200 unit

HV121WX4-120 - Lenovo part number 42T0569 or 45N6091 - Hydis tech AFFS matte finish. (usually very expensive)

or

HV121WX4-100 / HV121WX4-110 Hydis tech glossy AFFS glossy finish. (usually sold at decent price)

or

LTN121AP02-001 - Lenovo part number 42T0563 - Samsung PVA, matte finish (usually sold at very good price)





If your X200/X200s/X201/X201s is a 1280x800 LED unit you must add the two items shown below, to the list:

44C9909 (CCFL LVDS cable with bluetooth and camera connections)

42W8009 or 42W8010 (inverter)



If your X200s/X201s is a 1440x900 LED unit, you must add also the items listed below:

44C9543 X200 LCD rear cover assembly or 75Y4590 X201 LCD rear cover assembly (both can be used, only the X200 or X201 logo is different)

44C9541 or 04W0360 LCD bezel assembly

44C9545 LCD bracket L/R

44C5393 Wireless LAN antenna kit or 44C5395 Wireless LAN/WAN antenna kit or 44C5395 Wireless LAN/WAN/USB antenna kit (depending on your actual configuration)

44C9544 Hinge L/R

Optionally you can add

42W8015 Integrated Camera or 45N2795 Integrated Camera 2Megapixel

and a bluetooth daughter board (a lot of PN available)

[Iron Eagle]

I've got an AFFS equipped X200 for sale if you are interested. 1280x800 Resolution.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=101413

[expander]

Sorry to resume a very old Thread.
I'm buying an used x200s ( product id: 7469W7U ) with 1280x800 panel.
Where to know if my x200s is equipped with a CCFL or LED lcd?
Is there somewhere a step by step procedure to change a conventional 1280x800 lcd panel with AFFS one?
Wich matte panel is better: Hydis HV121WX4-120 or Samsung LTN121AP02-001 ?
Thank you.

[The Solutor]

Where to know if my x200s is equipped with a CCFL or LED lcd?

You can check the part list on the lenovo support site, but don't trust it 100% my X200s (CCFL 1280x800) was listed as 1440x900.

Better to use a diagnostic program like Everest to see what panel is installed or just remove the frontal LCD bezel and check yourself, if you can see the two two pin high voltage cables (usually they are cyan and white or red and white) your panel is CCFL.

Is there somewhere a step by step procedure to change a conventional 1280x800 lcd panel with AFFS one?

Search for X200 Hardware Manteinance Manual, the manual is already pretty clear, then you can find also a lot of video in the Lenovo support section and or in youtube

Wich matte panel is better: Hydis HV121WX4-120 or Samsung LTN121AP02-001 ?

Th Hydis matte panel is usually considered better, personally I don't agree with this idea.

Whatever, the Hydis panel in the matte version is usually very expensive, I suggest the Samsung part is a really good part, is matte, and can be found at a reasonable price

[expander]

Thank you, Solutor, for fast reply.
I've contacted you by private message.

[orol]

Hi,

Like the original poster (from 2012), I have a Thinkpad X200s with a 1440x900 display and would like to install an AFFS screen.

I am able to find all of the parts mentioned above by The Solutor reasonably priced on Ebay and elsewhere, with one exception: 44C5393 Wireless LAN antenna kit (and its two alternative options).

I have seen these parts on Ebay: 44C4085, 44C4086, 44C4087, 44C4088, which seem to come from the above mentioned Wireless LAN antenna kit, but I'm not exactly sure.

I only use a basic Wireless connection to my router and do not need WAN, 3G or anything else. On that basis, would the above mentioned individual parts suffice or does the antenna kit contain other things I would need?

Any help much appreciated.