Thinkpads Forum

ajkula66 wrote:

JayNYC wrote: 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.

@ajukla66 - if I'm located in New York, what's the least and best way to have my screen replaced/upgraded?

JayNYC wrote:
@ajukla66 - if I'm located in New York, what's the least and best way to have my screen replaced/upgraded?

Post a WTB (want to buy) ad in the forum's Marketplace, hopefully someone reasonably close to you will have the screen available and be willing to swap it for you if you don't feel confident enough to do it yourself.

You can purchase an LP125WH2(SL)(B3) for ~$70 and install it yourself. It's rather easy.
https://www.laptopscreen.com/English/sc ... 9%28B3%29/

If i1Profiler gives sRGB, cd/m2, and contrast (or black) values for your LP125WH2_SLB1 please post them.

Look around for a LP125WH2-SLT1.

Watch a few 'replace screen thinkpad x220' videos and decide if it's something you, or one of your buddies, could do. Basically, you:
1. remove 2 screws
2. remove plastic cover (gently, so you don't snap it)
3. remove 4 screws (they hold display)
4. disconnect cable

Then do the same thing, in reverse order.

Shopping for the best IPS for x220 in 2017.

I've carpet contacted a bunch of ebay sellers (in Europe).

Basically most of them clickbait you with genuine product codes but actually offer equivalent panels based on what's currently available in Asia. Here's a nice write-up about the issue:

http://www.laptop-lcd-screen.co.uk/blog ... reens.aspx

Now I'm torn between a 100% original B3 at around 100€ and an "equivalent to T1" at around 50€...

As for a 100% original T1 (the best IPS for the x220), they're extremely rare, unless you have the nerves to carefully remove them from an actual Thinkpad Twist S230U display assembly... (like the brave guy in the previous page did)

That blog is 6 years old, and I do not believe one bit of it.
Things have changed a lot, but most LCD-suppliers are still lying about their "compatible" screens.

As for X220/X230 screens, I have looked for and bought (on eBay from different sellers) several used LP125WH2-SLT1 screens from an S230U Twist.
None of them came with a digitizer or touchscreen, they were all bare, glorious drop-ins.

Unfortunately I can't seem to find one.
I'm very close to just ordering the brand new genuine (SL) (B3).
I will report on the quality if I do.

If anyone wants to mail me their laptop, I'd be happy to help replace the screen for you. Just PM me. I live in San Francisco. Can also help install @nitrocaster's mod board for you as well (I have an EE degree and am very experienced with soldering).

Thanks for the interest everyone, looks I'm going to be helping out a few users here already! I'm also going to upload a YouTube tutorial video soon as well for those who feel comfortable soldering.

Meanwhile my (SL)(B3) from ebay arrived...with a bent corner
I'm going to ask something incredibly dumb: is there any hope in straightening it back? (just curious for the moment, I'm not even taking it out the envelope until I hear back from the seller)

update: with the authorization of the seller I straightened the metal frame and the LCD broke in shards (under the film) in the corner...RIP one of the few genuine (SL)(B3) in my area..I should have imported a used Twist screen from the US..

The seller was super nice and sent me a new B3.
I installed it and I'm perfectly happy with the colors and viewing angles.
Watching colorful youtube videos in 1080p (downscaled to 768p of course) is a joy for the eyes.
The T1 may be slightly better but honestly the B3 is perfectly nice.