Upgrading X220/X230 to FHD 1080p

[nitrocaster]

The second batch is currently in production.

Current status

• Batch 1 : completed
  All orders shipped.
  Update (Jan 25): If you see multiple 'processed through facility at MOSKVA PCI-21' records in your tracking info, that means Russian Post decided to use ground shipping instead of air. That's a usual situation for US and Canada destinations during the holiday season.
• Batch 2 : dispatching/in production
  All kits are pre-ordered.
  Update (Feb 20): Production is going to take a little bit longer than expected due to delayed shipping of some components. Current ETA is ~ March 15.
  Update (May 06): Kits are being assembled and tested.
  Update (May 08): First kits were prepared for shipping.
  Update (May 13): First kits were shipped.
  Update (May 27): Remainings of the second batch parts handed for assembly (ETA is 20 days).
  Update (June 4): Next 21 orders were prepared for shipping.
  Update (June 5): 20 orders were shipped.
• Batch 3 : design is under development
  5th revision of the adapter board won't have the sense wire, which is tricky to solder for some users.
  I'll send order to factory once the new design is finished and tested.

About the kit
TL;DR: This kit allows you to install 1080p IPS display in your lovely ThinkPad X220 or X230.
See a long story in this thread.
Overview and installation guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2mH6f ... =drive_web
Installation note for rev.4:

Backlight operation demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b_dJzbXf7A
Installation by Louis Rossmann (part 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBvfJ0EHtcY
Make sure you read the whole manual to avoid his mistakes!
Installation by Louis Rossmann (part 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaWf0ndxUM0

How to buy
X230 motherboard with pre-installed kit on eBay (my listing)
Pre-order form: https://goo.gl/forms/1EqR0T8ngpCAhMoI2
The price is $54 + $5 worldwide shipping. Free local pickup is available in Moscow, Russia.
I can install the kit in your machine for a reasonable fee, but contact me first my email (you can find it in the manual).




Tested displays

• LG LP125WF2-SPB3
• LG LP125WF2-SPB4
• AUO B125HAN02.0

Recommended display sellers

• eBay: win0win
• AliExpress: NN Super Market (win0win)

FAQ

• Q: Does this mod affect internal DisplayPort?
  A: No. The adapter board connects to Dock DisplayPort #2.
• Q: Does the brightness control work?
  A: Brightness control does work in dual display mode. Otherwise brightness is fixed at 100%. BIOS patch is required to overcome this limitation (I'm working on it).
• Q: Does this mod support WQHD displays?
  A: No. WQHD requires 4 DisplayPort lanes while the adapter board (and the eDP cable) provide only 2.
• Q: Can I use docking station with this mod?
  A: You can use UltraBase Series 3 without any problem. However, when using Mini Dock Series 3, the internal display will go blank (and second DVI/DisplayPort on dock will be non functional). To overcome this issue, you can tape a row of DP#2 pins inside the docking connector. A guide for this will be posted soon.
• Q: Does this mod support X220T/X230T?
  A: No. However, it's absolutely possible to design special version of the adapter board that would fit in tablet. If there's enough interest, I'll get a tablet and make a mod for it.
• Q: What shipping method do you use?
  A: The kit is shipped as small registered package (you'll have a tracking number).
• Q: I have just submitted the order form, what should I do now?
  A: Patience! I'll receive your order and will reply with payment instructions if there's a kit available for you. I ship in 2-3 days after you make the payment and send you a tracking number.
• Q: Why is Pepe on the PCB?
  A: Smug Pepe depicts the feel I got when I first made FHD display work in my X230. Then it just occurred to me that it would be a nice touch to put Pepe on the board, and so I did.

[carcuevas]

Jihaaaaaaaaaa!!! so exciting I'm on the list already hehehe thanks Very much Nitro

[dr_st]

Another piece of genius engineering.

[rewt]

Woohoo, can hardly wait! Thanks again for your incredible work.

[prime07]

Jihaaaaaaaaaa!!!

this was exactly my first thought too
Thank you very much, nitrocaster!

[jp776]

Will this be a registered shipping or ...?

[nitrocaster]

Will this be a registered shipping or ...?

Yes. I updated the FAQ.

[systema]

Great- been waiting for this one. Will definitely post about the mod in the forums after successful replacement

[nitrocaster]

Attached a poll on X220T/X230T. If there would be enough interest I'll do the business.

[docodine]

i registered just to express interest in an x230t kit

[jacobtc]

Submitted! I've been following your work since day 1!

[corebootx220]

Sent in the form for 2! Real excited!

[nitrocaster]

I'll gather the orders and ship a batch of parcels in ~2 days. In that case the whole post office is gonna hate me for just a one time (until the next batch, of course).

[Bibin]

Interest submitted for two kits!

[Tasurinchi]

Nice!!

Thanks again for your sharing this in the community!

[6sicSIX]

My X230 i7-3520m will be delivered today, and I have just registered on the order form.
I'll be installing the x220 keyboard (and windows) tonight

Really hope I can order the kit - 1366x768 is too low for multitasking

[carcuevas]

Wow the first batch already gone... That was fast

[nitrocaster]

Wow the first batch already gone... That was fast

In less than 24 hours! I'm preparing 43 kits for shipping ATM. Additional 13 kits will be ready in a few days. As before, I'll reserve some of them for russian buyers. And maybe put the last kit on eBay.

[6sicSIX]

I expected as much - everyone is going to want these

So I filled out the form about 6 hours ago..... am I definitely on the waiting list

[Nevadita]

Thinkpad X220T aficionado here, would paid top dollar for a FHD kit

mini question: the wacom hardware would remain active with the new high resolution? or does the FHD upgrade renders it unusable?

[jacobtc]

Never got an email from you Was I too slow?

[Botticelli]

Was I too late if I did not receive an Email?

[nitrocaster]

Was I too late if I did not receive an Email?

If you didn't receive payment instructions so far, you're either in the 'delayed kit' list (13 kits have to be assembled by the end of this week) or in the waiting list for the next batch.

[timsydney]

• LG LP125WF2-SPB3
• LG LP125WF2-SPB4

Have you seen these displays side by side? Panelook says the SPB3 is 6 bit color at 400 nits, and the SPB4 is 8 bit at 300 nits. Do you think these are accurate and is there a big difference in brightness between the displays? 400 nits is in the range of outdoor usable, do you think that's the case?

[blueredcat123]

Just clicked on the link. I think I was one day too late.

[systema]

It looks like the link for Intel Dithering Settings in the manual is broken (http://kawamoto.no-ip.org/henteko/myapp ... 23ditherig) is there alternative d/l link? Thanks.

[nitrocaster]

Have you seen these displays side by side? Panelook says the SPB3 is 6 bit color at 400 nits, and the SPB4 is 8 bit at 300 nits. Do you think these are accurate and is there a big difference in brightness between the displays? 400 nits is in the range of outdoor usable, do you think that's the case?

Panelook may be wrong since there's no datasheet for SPB3. To make a fair comparison I would have to get them side-by-side. I have SPB4 in my X230, but SPB3 was sold to local buyer. We meet sometimes, so I hope to catch him with his modded X220 and make a comparison.

[nitrocaster]

It looks like the link for Intel Dithering Settings in the manual is broken (http://kawamoto.no-ip.org/henteko/myapp ... 23ditherig) is there alternative d/l link? Thanks.

You just remove #ditherig from it and it works again. Here's the direct link: http://kawamoto.no-ip.org/henteko/myapp/ditherig15.zip

[6sicSIX]

Have the X230 I received yesterday modded now -
X220 Keyboard
X220 Palmrest
X220 Lid
X220 LCD Bezel
LG IPS Screen

Now just the bios mod, bluetooth led, and 1080p lcd to go

[carcuevas]

Have the X230 I received yesterday modded now -
X220 Keyboard
X220 Palmrest
X220 Lid
X220 LCD Bezel
LG IPS Screen

Now just the bios mod, bluetooth led, and 1080p lcd to go

Hi,

what method are you using for doing the Bios MOD??? I tried with the pomona + raspberry pi and I was not able to read the chip for starters so I didn't continue...