Swapping a T520 1368 panel for a 1920 W520 panel - possible, hard?

[Phidelio]

Hey guys!

I just got a T520 with a 1368 panel, and since before I have a W520 with 1920 panel. Now I would like to swap the panels/panel assemblies between the two - i.e., the W520 will get the 1368 panel, and the T520 the 1920 panel.

1. Is this possible and not overly complicated to do?

2. For me I could just aswell move the whole monitor bezel instead of just the panels. Would that be easier/more complicated?

As usual - many thx for any help! Cheers!

[axur-delmeria]

AFAIK The T520 and W520 use the same chassis, which means many parts are the shared between the two.

Grab a copy of the T520/W520 Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) as it contains the parts listing and disassembly instructions. You can use the HMM link at the top of this forum's page.

[Phidelio]

Thx for your reply Axur. You are right - they seem to be exactly the same, but what about GPU/motherboard compatibility etc? Although unlikely it might be the T520 may not be able to support the 1920 panel?

[axur-delmeria]

Thx for your reply Axur. You are right - they seem to be exactly the same, but what about GPU/motherboard compatibility etc? Although unlikely it might be the T520 may not be able to support the 1920 panel?

According to Thinkwiki, some models of the T520 have a 1920x1080 screen.

Also, I've read about some Thinkpadders upgrading their T520's into W520's simply by replacing the system board (!!).

[RealBlackStuff]

The easiest way would be to just swap the complete lids between them.

[ajkula66]

Sheer curiosity on my end: why would you want to swap the better panel into a weaker system ? W520 is more upgradeable and hence more future-proof than T520...

[Screamer]

1. Is this possible and not overly complicated to do?

Yes, although the complexity depends on your experience with disassembling laptops in general.

2. For me I could just aswell move the whole monitor bezel instead of just the panels. Would that be easier/more complicated?

That would be much easier as RealBlackStuff had stated, but you would end up with a T520 that has a W520's clear plate.

what about GPU/motherboard compatibility etc? Although unlikely it might be the T520 may not be able to support the 1920 panel?

The NVS 4200M is capable of driving 1920x1080 with no problems, so it is very unlikely that your T520 will not be able to use the 1920x1080 display panel.

Also, I've read about some Thinkpadders upgrading their T520's into W520's simply by replacing the system board (!!).

If I am not wrong, they would also need to replace their T520's heatsink with a W520's heatsink. I don't think it would be possible to use a T520's heatsink in a W520's motherboard, since the heatsink screw mounts were shifted for some odd reason.

[Phidelio]

@ajkula

I understand the curiousity Today I use my w520 as a stupid client. I only use it to connect to my office computer, which is... also a W520

Anyways, the T520 is near mint condition and have a slower I5 CPU, whilst the W520 has an I7 cpu and is cosmetically totally worn out. So, I simply figured - use the T520 as the stupid client, and then use the more powerful W520 for a home server I am setting up. This way I would not be wasting the I7 cpu on a stupid client, and also get a box that looks more or less brand new

[Phidelio]

@realblackstuff and screamer

Thx, I think I will just go ahead and swap the whole lids. Getting the wrong model number on the bezel doesn't matter

[RealBlackStuff]

You can always swap the clearplates afterwards...

[Phidelio]

So it's done. I actually went ahead and swapped the panels instead of the whole panel assemblies. Very easy and straightforward, you just need to be careful with the cables. One thing I noticed is the 1920 screen being a lot brighter now. Might it have been the W520 inverter was bad or something?

[madicetea]

Definitely possible you had a bad inverter then. Most screen panels have problems lying on the playing field of inverters x backlight.

[Phidelio]

So it's done. I actually went ahead and swapped the panels instead of the whole panel assemblies. Very easy and straightforward, you just need to be careful with the cables. One thing I noticed is the 1920 screen being a lot brighter now. Might it have been the W520 inverter was bad or something?

Well, all inverters age over time, but there isn't a chance you accidentally also had an upgrade from CCFL to LED is there?

To be honest - no idea

[axur-delmeria]

AFAIK all the screens for the W520 are LED-backlit. Also, you cannot swap from CCFL to LED backlights without changing the LCD cable and/or the inverter board (LED backlights don't use inverters in the first place, and run on DC), so that's ruled out already.