X220 Best IPS Screen

[Carthik]

What is the best model of IPS screen for the X220, and why? I know there are a few variations. FRU/Part numbers greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

[Tasurinchi]

To my knowledge there are three models available:

- LP125WH2-SLB1 (FRU #93P5675?)
- LP125WH2-SLB3
- LP125WH2-SLT2

SLB3 seems to be better than SLB1 since supposedly has corrected retention issues, although I read somewhere that the later SLB1 did the same (don't remember where exactly so I have no link).

The SLT2 was tested by a fellow forum member, more details in the corresponding thread: here

[RealBlackStuff]

(Corrected 2:22pm EST after discussion with dr_st)

On X220:
LP125WH2-SLB1, FRU: 93P5675 - P/N: 93P5674
also available as: FRU: 04W3462 - P/N: 0A66673
Ghosting problems

On X230: (also fits on X220)
LP125WH2-SLB3, FRU 04W3919 - P/N: 0A66702
Little to no ghosting

Alternatives:
LP125WH2-SLT1 FRU: N/A - P/N: 0A66690 (as used on ThinkPad S230U Twist and IdeaPad U260)
No known problems

EDIT: LP125WH2-SLT2 is used in Toshiba machines, and has different mounting holes!


All screens made by LG Display, formerly known as LG Philips (until ~2008)

[dr_st]

04W3462 is LP125WH2-SLB1, not SLB3 and has noticeable ghosting.

[PandorasThinkpad]

P/N of the LP125WH2(SL)(B3) is (or must be)...as i read it correctly 0A66762

[RealBlackStuff]

Nope, the correct P/N = 0A66702

[PandorasThinkpad]

OK, Thanks for correction...it was really little...and so this was the result....take an 0 for an 6....

But LP125WH2(SL)(B3) is a really good display...have one and everything's fine with it..

[czpath2]

(Corrected 2:22pm EST after discussion with dr_st)
...
Alternatives:
LP125WH2-SLT1 FRU: N/A - P/N: 0A66690 (as used on ThinkPad S230U Twist and IdeaPad U260)
No known problems

EDIT: LP125WH2-SLT2 is used in Toshiba machines, and has different mounting holes!
....

Don't know if this helps but the LP125WH2-SLT1 is used in the Thinkpad S230U; had a LCD from one with a P/N of 0A66690 (FRU is marked as NA). (worked, returned for other reasons).

LP125WH2-SLT2 - was looking at these and I think there are two mount styles for this. One the same as a the x220/x230/U260. Another with the mounting points at the top and bottom (Dell, Toshiba). The latter seems more common but most likely needs mods to work.

[P.S. Don't make the mistake I made and read the codes very carefully, I accidentally ended up with a 30pin LP125WH2-SPT1 - my fault and my mistake, had to be with a no-refund seller - will hopefully use it with a x250 someday. ].

[Carthik]

(Corrected 2:22pm EST after discussion with dr_st)

On X220:
LP125WH2-SLB1, FRU: 93P5675 - P/N: 93P5674
also available as: FRU: 04W3462 - P/N: 0A66673
Ghosting problems

On X230: (also fits on X220)
LP125WH2-SLB3, FRU 04W3919 - P/N: 0A66702
Little to no ghosting

Alternatives:
LP125WH2-SLT1 FRU: N/A - P/N: 0A66690 (as used on ThinkPad S230U Twist and IdeaPad U260)
No known problems
EDIT: LP125WH2-SLT2 is used in Toshiba machines, and has different mounting holes!

All screens made by LG Display, formerly known as LG Philips (until ~2008)

Thank you for the very informative post. Of these which if any are glossy (don't want a glossy screen)? How does one go about installing a touchscreen LCD into an X220? Must the touchscreen layer be removed? If not removed, does it interfere with picture? I'd like to install the most modern LG IPS LCD that fits (LP125WH2-SLT2) but all I've found are touchscreen variants.

Cheers,

[czpath2]

Based upon what I've seen, I think the LP125WH2-SLT1, SLT2, SLT3 are three variants:
T1 for lenovo, T2 for toshiba, T3 for Fujitsu or at least that's the PDF specs say (Use google on (with 1,2,3, for n) "LP125WH2-SLT<n> pdf").

Mount for T1 - left / right holes
Mount for T2 - top/ bottom holes
Mount for T3 - no mounting holes
The mounts are on a metal plate affixed to the lcd display and seemingly not easily removable.

That said, there are instances of the SLT2 in the wild that have lenovo mounts as noted above and at reddit. The self-same reddit thread also talked about difference in response times between the T1 / T2 but I think they conflated two different measures as the "Response Time TrR+ Tr D" is (typ) 35 (max) 50 ms for both. [They said it was half the value, but the T2 spec has additional information including Response Time "t ON - 17.5 25 ms" and "t OFF - 17.5 25 ms". But then again I don't really know how to read those spec so I could be wrong and leave it the experts].

[NOTE: My prior note was about an SL T1 appearing from a U230. I have not seen a SL T2 from a U230.]

[Correction: S230U not U230 in the above]

[RealBlackStuff]

LP125WH2-SLT1 (as used in e.g. S230U):
12.5" (317.5mm) HD (1366x768) TFT color, smudgeless and anti-reflective display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass,
LED backlight, 350 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 500:1 contrast ratio, IPS

AFAIK that overlay Gorilla glass makes the matte display SHINY, same as in an X1 (non-Carbon).

EDIT: SLT2 is used in Toshiba U925T-S2120 and similar, NOT in the Twist!

[mpcook]

I had an LG LP125WH2-SLB3 installed as a warranty replacement for the SLB1 and is was an improvement.

[czpath2]

Here's a quick report.

Got a S230U Twist panel with the digitizer screen still attached (SL-T1, P/N: 0A66690). The good news is that means the screen is clean, the bad news gotta take it off.

It was actually a bit easier than removing the digitizer from the old gateways (for the AFFS panel for the x200/x201) *BUT* the panel itself is more delicate so you must take extra care.

The digitizer (all plastic) is attached to the panel with taped foam. I ran into two issues. First the tape is very sticky and when I tried pulling up the sides I am fairly sure I pulled up a layer of the panel (no seeming damage but disconcerning); so make sure you cut the foam through. [It's a very soft foam so easy to cut].

Second, near the bottom left and right, it's hard to cut because of protusions and I ended up cutting off a bit of the metallic tape on the screen; luckily it didn't seem to do too much damage. I did not cut the foam on the bottom underneath the do not touch section (the part of the screen that protudes down). In my case, once I freed up the three side and two corners on the bottom the screen came off easily; this may not be the best tactic but I didn't see a safe way to get a blade under the bottom portion.

I was trying to "save" the digitizer; it probably wasn't worth it and probably should have clipped off all the protrusions so it was easier to cut the foam.

Mine did come with a small white spot [Yes, it was there before I pulled the digitizer off. But this was a better than the first SL-T1 I got - also a S230U pull but screen only - which had 20-30 white spots - I think someone just yanked the screen off the digitizer?].

The digitizer is glossy. The screen is matte.

It's also a bit brighter than the original TN screen so forced to reduce brightness which means off to play with PWM values.

[RealBlackStuff]

Earlier on I mentioned the LP125WH2-SLT2 as used in S230U Twist.
That turns out to be wrong, the LP125WH2-SLT1 is used in S230U Twist!
The SLT1 (and other X220 LCDs) have 3 mounting eyelets on the left and 3 eyelets on the right!

The SLT2 is used in Toshiba U925T-S2120 and similar!
WARNING: that SLT2 screen has 2 mounting eyelets along the top and 2 along the bottom!

[Tasurinchi]

WARNING: that SLT2 screen has 2 mounting eyelets along the top and 2 along the bottom!

According to user Gator his SLT2 was a direct plug & play for his X220 http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 71#p769571

(Maybe there are different versions?)

[RealBlackStuff]

And also reading czpath2 posts again, there seem to be differing ideas out about SLT2, especially the mounting.
If the same screen with the same number can have different mountings, then we must be really attentive when ordering!
Only yesterday I was hunting for such an SLT2 screen for my X220, and found only ones with the Toshiba-mounting along top/bottom.
So I'll be getting an SLT1 instead. We'll see.

[Tasurinchi]

then we must be really attentive when ordering!

Oh yes... Original pictures will be a must for this case then...

So I'll be getting an SLT1 instead. We'll see.

Please keep us posted, is good to know that there are more than just the two (original) panels available for X220/X230.

[RealBlackStuff]

Yesterday I got my LP125WH2-SLT1 (used, from a S230U Twist).
It was a drop-in replacement and is indeed IPS.
Perfect, absolutely gorgeous screen, but I think I want one with higher resolution.
Is there anything decent around in 1600x900 ? FHD is too much for my eyes.

[nitrocaster]

Is there anything decent around in 1600x900 ? FHD is too much for my eyes.

According to panelook.com - nothing, unfortunately.

[czpath2]

The routing of the screen cable matters!

I pulled the screen and reinserted it (testing another lcd) and my x220 failed to boot (backlight on, no display, no display on external screen, no beeps!). I repositioned the lcd cable and it started working again.

Basically when I put the screen back in I didn't pay much attention to the cable and it fell above a tab that placed it behind the screen (in the area marked do not touch). I moved it below that tab and it works fine now. Phew!

Image here if you're interested, see:
https://s21.postimg.org/ij2io7bjr/cablerun.jpg
I believe this is the way the cable is meant to go. Yellow lines mark where I had it running.

-
Also, I noticed there is a LP125WH2-SLB4. Saw it mentioned someplace saying it worked on the 220; seen on ebay; seen at panellook. It looks to be a e-IPS screen with lenovo mounting holes (e.g. same family as B1, B3).

[The SL-T1 is AH-IPS]

[nitrocaster]

The routing of the screen cable matters!

I don't think so. Either the cable is damaged or connection is bad. However, the fact it doesn't start is really weird.

[czpath2]

I don't think so. Either the cable is damaged or connection is bad. However, the fact it doesn't start is really weird.

Upon calmer reflection, it probably was booting but stuck at a bios password screen. It didn't display on the external monitor because I didn't have that enabled. Thus, the problem was simply that the display didn't display.

[I thought I had typed by disk password in and it didn't work, but most likely just typed it in incorrectly. My first instinct was that I had created a short blown a fuse but did a bad job of testing; checked it by connecting external monitor and got no output -- because I didn't have it enabled]

Worked fine immediately after I rerouted the cable thus my original comment. Did check the connector first and it was plugged in tightly. The cable in the other route rests against the LCD so could be an issue there. Agree there are also many other possible causes but not planning on testing the re-routing experiment again Posted in the offchance it would help someone else.

No lingering effects (crossed fingers).

[jaspen-meyer]

A LP125WH2-SLT2 with two mouting holes at the top and two mounting holes at the bottom will fit in an x220 but there is no simple way to use the mounting holes - i.e. the screen isn't screwed to the lid.
I layed the display in place and just snapped/screwed the LCD bezel on top of it. Seems to hold ok.

I upgraded from a LP125WH2-TLB1 to a LP125WH2-SLT2. My layman opinion is, "The orginal display was so bad that it deterred me from using the machine. With the new display, the machine is a pleasure to use."

Here are supporting numbers:

model LP125WH2-SLT2
brightness = 262 cd/m^2 = 262 nits
black = 0.4169
contrast = 262/0.4169 = 628
sRGB gamut = 55.9%
Adobe RGB = 39.1%


model LP125WH2-TLB1
brightness = 190 cd/m^2
black = 3.0206
contrast = 63
sRGB gamut = 42.9%
Adobe RGB = 29.8%

[oxf77]

I have an x230. Which of these screens is the best? The LP125WH2-SLB3 or the LP125WH2-SLT1?

[RealBlackStuff]

LP125WH2-SLB3 is supposedly OK, but
LP125WH2-SLT1 is IMHO better (I have one and love it).

[JayNYC]

How do I identify specifically which IPS screen I have on my X220?

[dr_st]

Everest/AIDA64 will show it.

[jaspen-meyer]

and in Linux, 'dispcalgui'.

[JayNYC]

I have i1Profiler from X-rite on my X220 that I use to calibrate the screen. Here's what it detects:

Code: Select all

LP125WH2_SLB1

Is it possible to send my X220 into Lenovo to pay _them_ to replace my IPS screen with a better one?

[ajkula66]

Is it possible to send my X220 into Lenovo to pay _them_ to replace my IPS screen with a better one?

You'd be looking at a sum that could likely buy you half a dozen X220 units...if they still have the screens in stock, that is.