X200s 1440x900 Matte Screen Upgrade Advice

[jophde]

I am brand new to Thinkpads. I needed a cheap development machine so I decided to buy a X200s (7470-F75) off of eBay and add an SSD to it. I love the laptop, particularly the keyboard, but the screen just hasn't held up with time. I am going to be using the laptop with a monitor mostly so I can take the time to do the upgrade however complicated it might be. I have had issues finding something to point in the right direction to find what parts I need and where to get them. Any pointers?

Thanks

[ZaZ]

You could post here in the marketplace forum to see if anyone has an extra they'd be willing to sell you. If you have the WXGA+ LCD and that's what you want, you should be able to just swap the screens, provided there's no other issues with the set up. The LCD part number is 42T0480. It looks like the screens are pretty expensive on eBay.

[jophde]

From what I read I can use this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110546171125

However, I would have to get a lot of parts and replace the whole lcd housing. Any more info on this? I would really like the matte screen.

[ZaZ]

I don't know, I've never had a X200s nor swapped the panel in one. Perhaps the CFFL Hydis panel is too thick compared to the LED WXGA+ offered in the X200s would be my guess as to why you need to do the whole LCD housing instead of just trading parts. Also because the WXGA+ LCD you have now, per the machine type/model number, is a LED screen while the Hydis you want to use as a replacement is bulb lit, you'll need to replace the LED LCD cable and LED sub card you have now with the LCD cable and inverter found in the CFFL X200. The part numbers are in the HMM. There are three versions of the Hydis screen - 100, 110, which you linked, and the 120. Only the 120, like this, is matte. The other two are glossy. You'll be stepping down in resolution, the Hydis is WXGA, but up in quality as the Hydis is an AFFS LCD and offers much better PQ. I had that screen in my X200 and it was terrific. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I will come along. Good Luck.

[jophde]

This is the most information I have been able to find on the topic.

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)

I still have some time to return the x200s I bought with +wxga and get one one with 1280x800. Would this be a better path than buying all the parts? I also found some x200s on ebay that are cheap that I could buy for it's screen instead of the parts seperately and then add the panel to it.

[ZaZ]

I believe all the X200s with the WXGA LCD are CFFL screens and it should be a straight swap. Check the part numbers in the HMM for details.