X220 FHD Upgrade?

[seasonshu]

Interest peeked!
Have a "few" X220's in i7 and i5 flavors.
So it seems the i7 version needs a resistor (or cap?) removed. This will not affect anything else?
Might attempt it on an i5 first...

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 10#p790867

[timsydney]

@nitrocaster, if possible could I reserve a board?

[nitrocaster]

I don't take reserves because that would mean I become oblidged to do something that I can not absolutely guarantee, and I don't feel comfortable with it.
I'll start taking orders once I get the cables and make sure everything is good.

Pepe!

What do you think about putting a 13 inch into the x230 (like the x330)? Do you know how kingkonglue did this physically. I.e. what bevel was used etc.

Ideally I would use a 13 inch 1080. Would that be compatible with your mod?

It's absolutely possible, but 0.6-0.8 inch of difference does not really matter IMO. The bezel has to be cut very precisely (I don't even know what tool did they use, probably mill). LCD mouning points inside the lid have to be removed to make enough room for 13.3" LCD. And then you'll have to find a way to secure the LCD in place.
But yeah, that's possible.

There's a chance that I'll sell some motherboards with preinstalled adapters so that users without soldering equipment/experience could have their cake too.

[timsydney]

I don't take reserves because that would mean I become oblidged to do something that I can not absolutely guarantee, and I don't feel comfortable with it.
I'll start taking orders once I get the cables and make sure everything is good.

That's fine, more worried that I'll miss out than anything else. I've been late to the party before

Fingers crossed everything works out!

[blueredcat123]

What about 3D printing the bevel and then dremeling the existing LCD mount points? Anyone could do that (once I had created a file for 3D printing).

Can figure something out to secure the LCD.

I've used a 12.5 and a 13.3. It's amazing how much those inches count. There is also a lot more range in 13 inches+. Can get a very good panel.

[nitrocaster]

What about 3D printing the bevel and then dremeling the existing LCD mount points? Anyone could do that (once I had created a file for 3D printing).

Need top level 3D printer to do that (if you want the resulting quality level as good as stock bezel).

[StefanKo]

There is someone in the german thinkpad forum who dared to open his X320 Display.
https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/20062 ... ost2054632
The chinese guys used a lot of glue and even seem to have removed the display frame to get it all together.
He broke it. And the replacement display that he found was so wide that he had to cut away the sides of the display cover.

It's probably not worth the trouble to fit such a big display in an X220/X230.

[timsydney]

What about 3D printing the bevel and then dremeling the existing LCD mount points? Anyone could do that (once I had created a file for 3D printing).

Need top level 3D printer to do that (if you want the resulting quality level as good as stock bezel).

Perhaps it would give better results to create one or more 3d printed jigs that accept a screwed in scalpel blade and can be run around the outside of the bezel to cut exactly the right amount of plastic away at the right angle.

[timsydney]

There is someone in the german thinkpad forum who dared to open his X320 Display.
https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/20062 ... ost2054632
The chinese guys used a lot of glue and even seem to have removed the display frame to get it all together.
He broke it. And the replacement display that he found was so wide that he had to cut away the sides of the display cover.

It's probably not worth the trouble to fit such a big display in an X220/X230.

Link to imgur image host: https://imgur.com/a/mdexA

[boutch55555]

So, nitro, what would be your thoughts on open sourcing your designs ?

This project has been done more than 6 times in the past, but was never widely distributed. Publishing the designs could allow people to mod it for 40 pins connectors (yes, the HD3000 supports my 3440x1440 monitor @60hz), write custom drivers / bios mod for backlight for windows...

I'd give good money for that to happen.

[blueredcat123]

There is someone in the german thinkpad forum who dared to open his X320 Display.
https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/20062 ... ost2054632

The release of the entire Bezel was by the way so elaborate that the display afterwards was not any more to use and also various clips of the Bezel could not save, which sat Stellweise almost already Bombenfest.

Interesting. Seems like it would be more trouble than it's worth.

[timsydney]

Unless there's a 13.3" 1600x900 lvds panel that will fit that doesn't need an adapter?

[blueredcat123]

Unless there's a 13.3" 1600x900 lvds panel that will fit that doesn't need an adapter?

But even if it does, the bevel's hollow is 12.5" only.

[timsydney]

But even if it does, the bevel's hollow is 12.5" only.

Yeah it would have to be modified like the X330.

This 13.1" panel is single channel lvds with an offset connector. It's TN but the SONY VAIO VPCZ1 laptop it's used in seems to get good reviews regarding it's display.
http://www.panelook.com/LT131EE12000_TO ... 13811.html

[prime07]

Nitrocaster, did you already have any contact with the custom clearance? Is there a problem with your package? I don't think that nearly one month processingtime is normal

Sorry for annoying questions, but I'm so hyped for the mod

[dogeitrade]

you should consider releasing the design publicly

[blueredcat123]

But even if it does, the bevel's hollow is 12.5" only.

Yeah it would have to be modified like the X330.

This 13.1" panel is single channel lvds with an offset connector. It's TN but the SONY VAIO VPCZ1 laptop it's used in seems to get good reviews regarding it's display.
http://www.panelook.com/LT131EE12000_TO ... 13811.html

Interesting, this would be mean a better screen (900p is fine for 13inch with the best windows (7) and linux) and no eDP conversion. All you would need to do is work out the bevel and mounting issue. ("all")

[timsydney]

Interesting, this would be mean a better screen (900p is fine for 13inch with the best windows (7) and linux) and no eDP conversion. All you would need to do is work out the bevel and mounting issue. ("all")

Would there need to be changes to the BIOS to handle the new resolution? How do we find out if the panels are pin compatible?

I was thinking a Dremel with routing attachment could be used with a custom wooden jig as a guide and to hold down the bezel. Could have good, quick, repeatable results.

[blueredcat123]

I don't know much about routing (is this routing?) but I don't think you would get the pixel accuracy you would need with a wooden jig.

[StefanKo]

This 13.1" panel is single channel lvds with an offset connector. It's TN but the SONY VAIO VPCZ1 laptop it's used in seems to get good reviews regarding it's display.
http://www.panelook.com/LT131EE12000_TO ... 13811.html

I tried to find a datasheet for this display. But cannot find anything. No info on the connector, nor on the physical dimensions (might be still too big to possibly fit in the X220), nor on the contrast, brightness and viewing angles. Can you link the review you are referring to?

Also, I still don¹t really believe in 1600x900 with just one LVDS lane. Might be technically possible though...

[timsydney]

Can you link the review you are referring to?

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Son ... 531.0.html

[harryK]

He broke it. And the replacement display that he found was so wide that he had to cut away the sides of the display cover

Any hint on the part number of the original screen (the one that doesn't need cutting the display cover)?

[mr.rhtuner]

you should consider releasing the design publicly

Why? So that others can re-create and up the costs?

[dogeitrade]

you should consider releasing the design publicly

Why? So that others can re-create and up the costs?

No, so other people can improve the design and/or fix problems. He could release it under the a license which restricts resale for commercial purposes(if that's what he want). By allowing other to create the same thing/make changes on the design, it would be only beneficial to the community.

Of course, it would be reasonable for him to keep the design to himself and turn a profit by selling these kits, but that seems rather unlikely to be his reason for making this kit.

>up the costs
I don't think that's how things works, lowering the cost seems more plausible.

[timsydney]

I don't know much about routing (is this routing?) but I don't think you would get the pixel accuracy you would need with a wooden jig.

You don't need pixel accuracy, there's always a black boarder between the edge pixels and the bezel. You just need to know how much material you want to remove from each side.

This gives a general idea of how routing works: https://youtu.be/PwS1NSg_EB4?t=10m

Cut out a template with a CNC or even assemble one from multiple pieces of wood by hand. Create a base with holes drilled where the clips are so the bezel can lie flat on it. Sandwich the bezel between the two and run the router around the inside.

Use a bit like this and you might even be able to get a nice 45 degree angle:
https://www.dremel.com/en_US/products/- ... router-bit

[nitrocaster]

OK, from now on I'm taking orders. See this thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=122640

[prime07]

Awesome!

[rewt]

I have a question regarding installation for the x220.

In figure 6, is the aux power wire solder bridging the upper and lower left pads? It sure looks like it anyway.

[nitrocaster]

In figure 6, is the aux power wire solder bridging the upper and lower left pads? It sure looks like it anyway.

Yes, that's correct. Both pads belong to the same net.

[rewt]

In figure 6, is the aux power wire solder bridging the upper and lower left pads? It sure looks like it anyway.

Yes, that's correct. Both pads belong to the same net.

Great! Thanks. Now all I will need is (well, the kit obviously, and) a steady hand to pull this through.