t420: best TN display

[euless]

Hi

i am thinking buying a T420. I would probably want to upgrade to a better TN display. what is the best qualiy and reliable TN display I can buy?

my sister has a Lenovo Z51, which has a TN screen. and i think screen looks very good when i use it.
so i dont see the need for IPS. i read IPS upgrade is risky. so i dont want IPS.

thanks!

[dr_st]

Welcome to the forum.

What is the resolution of your TN display? 1366x768 or 1600x900? And which resolution do you want?

[euless]

Welcome to the forum.

What is the resolution of your TN display? 1366x768 or 1600x900? And which resolution do you want?

i only see 420s with 768 display for sale here. so most likely i wont be able to find a 420 with 900. i want quality resolution for photo albumming and general home computing use. probably change o/s to Linux.

r u implying that a 420 with 768 cannot be upgraded to a high quality 900 display?

[dr_st]

It can be upgraded, it was just important to understand that this is what you want. Some may prefer the lower-res.

In any case, I seem to remember several years ago there was talk that there do exist some 900p TN screens that are better than the stock 900p option on Thinkpads, but I don't remember the exact panel model numbers.

[euless]

It can be upgraded, it was just important to understand that this is what you want. Some may prefer the lower-res.

In any case, I seem to remember several years ago there was talk that there do exist some 900p TN screens that are better than the stock 900p option on Thinkpads, but I don't remember the exact panel model numbers.

what is the reason for wanting lower resolution?

i thought one would always want more.

[TPFanatic]

If upgrading a 768p T420 to 900p you need to get the 900p "HD+" cable too. See: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/T420_and_ ... en_Upgrade

None of the stock panels, 768p or 900p, are great quality. You can check Panelook for compatible panels with better specs.

Nowadays you can upgrade T420 to IPS 1080p or 1440p with a special adapter board, you'd need to source the adapter and the donor screen.

[euless]

If upgrading a 768p T420 to 900p you need to get the 900p "HD+" cable too. See: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/T420_and_ ... en_Upgrade

None of the stock panels, 768p or 900p, are great quality. You can check Panelook for compatible panels with better specs.

Nowadays you can upgrade T420 to IPS 1080p or 1440p with a special adapter board, you'd need to source the adapter and the donor screen.

i am in China. I found a few T420 IPS adaptor boards here on Taobao. But, i read in the forum that these kinds of boards cause flicker after a few months of use.

i also see afew TN displays that Seller claim is "high definition". but i dont know how good they re.

i am now wondering if i should just get a 15" TP instead. i am reading the 15" TP have better stock screen. maybe i wont have to upgrade. i am thinking maybe a w520. but it cost twice as much as a t420, here.

[dr_st]

maybe a w520. but it cost twice as much as a t420, here.

What about T520?

[euless]

deleted

[TPFanatic]

I have done the IPS mod multiple times and never had flickering issues.

1. eqstore FHD on T430
2. javi-jie QHD on T430s
3. eqstore FHD on T420
4. eqstore QHD on T420

All work great, the FHD T430 is going on over 2 years with no flickering, the QHD T420 is not far right behind it.

[600X]

There is a better TN display available for the T420. It has better viewing angles and black levels. I installed it on a T420s many years ago, but unfortunately I don't remember the panel name. Maybe someone can chime in who can remember.

Either way, I would just go with one of the modern IPS solutions.

[kfzhu1229]

I saw this discussed a lot along with IPS mods, so I did some research on 14" screens myself
Again I have the Dell unit not T420, and well the T420 uses the thin frame screens that's commonly found on eDP screens, no such privledge with E6430 as that uses standard thick boarder screens found on T520 but at 14", so IPS modding that would be a nightmare.
However, I did come across that apparently some higher end consumer class laptops came with better screen options. From the pictures of this Dell Studio 14z it's apparent it came with a screen that's far superior than what you would've got on a 14" business laptop like a T420 (just look at the horizontal viewing angles!): http://www.notebookreview.com/notebookr ... 4z-review/
That's good news for me because then I can just go out and buy a B140RW01 V0 and have great screen guaranteed working, but at the cost of having a glossy screen. I am planning to put a matte screen protector on it instead.
So, if you have a look at screen options from other manufacturer's consumer laptops (search their reviews, and then go on eBay and search for their screens), maybe you can find some great options outside of the IPS mod?

[TPFanatic]

This is the superior HD+ screen 600X was referring to:

LP140WD2-TLG1 used in Alienware M14X R2

see thread: viewtopic.php?f=45&t=122381

[kfzhu1229]

Ah okay well this should provide you with enough part numbers to find it: https://www.parts-people.com/index.php? ... m&id=14710
Do note that this, just like the one I am having my eyes on, are all glossy screens. I don't believe a matte one was ever made for this kind of higher end screens. Guess you have to settle with matte screen protectors.

[euless]

all this is great info! thanks.

i am in China...so i am afraid i have hard time finding a genuine LG Alien screen. and it is expensive!

so i bouhht a t440p instead!
it is easier and cheaper to upgrade the screen for me here in China.
i hope i can stand its keyboard.

i ruled out the t520/w520, because i dont see much parts available here on Taobao.