Thinkpads Forum

I have two (separate) ideas I'd like to lay out here. Both concern x220.

I. What do you guys think about stuffing a 16:10 panel into a x220? Has anyone ever done that (or anything similar, I'd be interested). I mean the bezel here is sorta mighty, I could easily think by dumping 3cm of plastic, the screen could be made 16:10. Using a ruler and elementary algebra it's evident that 2.1cm of extra height would make the panel 16:10. So is anybody familiar with a 16:10 panel that could take the 40-pin connector found in x220? IPS of course...
I don't know but it seems like a fantastic mod idea, if only such panel existed! The x240/50 panels are shifty 16:9 so no progress in that matter.

II. Is there anyone who tried to re-use a TN panel coming off a x220 (after, say, IPS transplant). Reusing could of course be done by just keeping it as a backup panel. But what I refer to is to find a controller board (like this one here), and be able to use it as a standalone monitor, maybe even for the x220 itself. My particular panel, which now just collects dust, is a Samsung LTN125AT01(-401). Up to now I've had no luck finding anyone who makes boards for this. Maybe this has been discussed here?

So, as you can see some fantasies here, but as they say, there are no stupid questions...

Is there anyone who tried to re-use a TN panel coming off a x220

Maybe something like this?

Though it seems you have to fabricate your own cable, and set up the proper backlight voltage too. :<

After my X220 IPS upgrade I simply sold the TN panel.

Just looking briefly on eBay UK there are 20" monitors supplied with cables and free delivery for £22 GBP (about same price I sold my TN panel for). If you like an electronics project (and are prepared to accidentally fry the TN screen) then I suppose trying to make the TN screen into an external monitor could be interesting, otherwise it's not worth it. A genuine external monitor will have a better image I would think.

evening_hunger wrote: I. What do you guys think about stuffing a 16:10 panel into a x220? Has anyone ever done that (or anything similar, I'd be interested). I mean the bezel here is sorta mighty, I could easily think by dumping 3cm of plastic, the screen could be made 16:10. Using a ruler and elementary algebra it's evident that 2.1cm of extra height would make the panel 16:10. So is anybody familiar with a 16:10 panel that could take the 40-pin connector found in x220? IPS of course...
I don't know but it seems like a fantastic mod idea, if only such panel existed! The x240/50 panels are *****Expletives removed by Moderator***** 16:9 so no progress in that matter.

In the context of that quoted idea, I think this Boe Hydis could fit inside an x220. Too bad it isn't twice the resolution (loose 166px horizontally and gain 32 vertically ). But using a pair of files, hammer and saw should get this done, it's the same connector. Perhaps I could get a spare x220 lid and have fun with it.

OK it's getting hotter/crazier, I'm investigating the outer dimensions of Macbook Pro's 13 screen: http://www.panelook.com/LSN133DL02-A02_ ... 24203.html
It seems one could put this into x220 bezel as far as horizontal dimension is considered. Dunno about verticals. But imagine such a screen. Also edp->lvds would be necessary

To use the Boe Hydis, just take an X201 instead
Regarding the MacBook screen, you would have to use a different signal source, e.g. DP from the dock.
The LVDS connector does not have enough bandwidth to drive that resolution, and an LVDS->eDP adapter will not change that.

Yes thanks. I already realised that. Seeing just how crazy such a mod is, I suppose noone would ever treat this seriously unless it is already done. Hence, should I ever decide for it, I'll get an extra lid, macbook screen, some cables and just do the metal cutting... A priori it seems mac screen is a bit too big in vertical (it has some electronics below the lcd itself).

evening_hunger wrote:Yes thanks. I already realised that. Seeing just how crazy such a mod is, I suppose noone would ever treat this seriously unless it is already done. Hence, should I ever decide for it, I'll get an extra lid, macbook screen, some cables and just do the metal cutting... A priori it seems mac screen is a bit too big in vertical (it has some electronics below the lcd itself).

I don't think it's that crazy really... it just demands a bit more "manual arts" / cutting work than the usual mod and there always has to be a guinea pig It's a logical mod for me: a 16:10 screen is better in a notebook that small. I like the X201, especially the panels available - but 16gb ram a speed boost wouldn't hurt!

If you could get the parts cheap enough (or already have them), it would be fun to experiment.

I think there was a thread in the "ThinkPad T400/410/420 and T500/510/520 Series" where a fellow member installed a WUXGA (16:10) in a T520 (16:9), maybe you can get some ideas out of his experience... But you'll need to do a deep dive search ...