WIP DIY x320, what I learned so far

[phage]

I'll end up doing both, and post results on em. That way, others can learn from my mistakes, and I get to learn something fun along the way.

Concerning the fact that one can't just use, say, speaker wire to connect the fhd board to the mobo, I think I'll try the expensive route and buy an edp cable and scrap it for fly-wiring. This way, the wires are probably already within tolerance.

[phage]

Got my x220 in and went to do a test fit with my already-modded screen (...ea3). boutch55555, you were right, it is rather tight vertically, though with some sacrifices, it may have worked.

That said, I had a backup screen (again ...ea3), as I thought I'd break the first one for sure, to try a different approach on. I decided I'd test your hypothesis that the controller PCB could be flipped to the other side of the panel. It's possible, just not in the way that I thought it would work. The panel can't be "swung" 180°, but it can be "slid" back behind the PCB with the same orientation as before. This saves about 6 mm off of the bottom of the panel, however, swinging the PCB behind the panel does increase the depth a bit, but it should still fit in the lid.

Here's the pictures of the process that are probably more informative than I could be:
http://imgur.com/a/WTSdw

Summary of process:
-Strip the foil from the panel
-Unscrew panel from backlight grounds
-bend grounds 180°
-peel a bit of the glued FFC so that the panel is free to slide up
-cut 1 cm of the left of the PCB off so that the backlight power supply cable can stretch
-screw everything back in
-???
-profit

Will be updating with test fit shots later

[fourthree]

Nice work. Any chance of cutting down the bezel, just like in the 51nb mods? That would be fantastic. I'm mainly curious for an X20x or X30x bezel cut, but the same principle should apply.

[phage]

Any chance of cutting down the bezel, just like in the 51nb mods?

I don't have a 20x/30x model, but it's fairly thin plastic, so it should just require patience. I'm gonna be doing it by hand, since I have no CNC available. boutch already did one on a test bezel, earlier in this thread

[fourthree]

I can confirm the HQ-LED30-156 from yoycart works but shipping is quite expensive, ended up around 40$ USD for 2 adapters shipped (fast option).

Here is a fitting test with a new unmodded panel on a intact lid (currently using a LP125WF2 SPB3 in my x220) : http://imgur.com/2EuwGvz

That's amazing. Is that a panel in the bezel? I can't see it too well because it's dark.

[boutch55555]

The final bezel isn't cut yet because I don't have a spare one and frequently use the x220. I just placed the screen on top to make sure the side switcher was long enough.
I've been putting this project aside for some time, as I was jobless for almost 3 months, no $$$ to put on expensive things I'll break But now paychecks are coming in, I should order one later this week.

About the bezel cut : It can be done with very good results with the metal blade / razor blade / file method, just take your time. Find an old broken Thinkpad and practice before. And, honestly, this is one of the easiest parts of the mod.

Also, I hate this picture. http://imgur.com/svSeIDj

For those that followed, this is from a x320 from the Japanese guys that was opened. But they didn't even bother/needed trimming the tabs on the left (2 longest ones that touch the panel), With those tabs cut + panel trimmed all the way to the glass, it leaves me with less than 0.25mm. They were able to do it with what looks like over a mm to spare. HOW ?!

Will be updating with test fit shots later

So, how does it look ?

[phage]

So, how does it look ?

The final bezel isn't cut yet because I don't have a spare one and frequently use the x220.

I have this exact issue, currently using the screen in the x220, so I don't wanna destroy the mounting points for the original. I'm waiting for the fhd kit still, or I would've had this thing in the x220 long ago. I've just been testing my panels with the Novena (studio Kosagi).

With those tabs cut + panel trimmed all the way to the glass, it leaves me with less than 0.25mm.

Without grinding my back bezel yet, I can say that I probably have as much room as you do. I'm not sure how much front bezel you could even save. It's like 2 or 3 mm that you'll be left with on the sides.

Yours is up and running, though, just no bezel? Grats, it's a thing of beauty.

[fourthree]

I found this panel and I'm kind of curious what panel could be stuffed into a W500. Any estimation about possible panel sizes when the bezels are cut on various thinkpads?

I'm interested in:
X61
X200 (X201)
X300 (X301)
T400 (T500, W500, R400, R500)
W701 (Still need to get past the MXM block, though.)

[chx1975]

The X320 would be a dream! lcdfans on facebook at least they had a problem with screen availability so they don't have them but stuffing a 13.3" full HD screen in the X220 would be nice. Or would've been -- now I have a full HD T420s and I think that will tide me over until the Retro. Fingers crossed for the Retro. Hell, toes crossed for the Retro as well, just to be sure