Thinkpad T400 CCFL WXGA to LED WXGA+ - Worth It?

[SHoTTa35]

I am back! Sold my T61 and didn't get a new laptop for a while (wanted a T410 but a T400 will do for now ). Anyways, I got a T400 for a sweet deal (worth of the deals braggin thread) but it's on WXGA. I wanted a WXGA+ (bluetooth, camera, 4in1 media reader were my main desires) but just took this one cuz i thought it was worth it.

I checked out some stuff on eBay and the LED WXGA+ panels goes for $100-115. Seems like i gotta buy different inverter and LED cable and LCD LID too? The LED panels are thinner or something (i would assume so)?

Maybe someone wanna swap their top halfs LOL

I was also gonna upgrade from the 5100 to the 5300 but don't seem as if there is any difference. The 6000 series wont work in here right?

[LegendaryKA8]

Yes... in order to swap out to LED, you'll need an LED board(goes in place of the inverter on a CFFL system), LED display cable(make sure you get one with the camera and Bluetooth fittings if you have them), LED bezel(as before, make sure you get one with provisions for a camera if you have one/want to upgrade), and the LED display itself. The top lid for an LED display is separate part number, but it may or may not be needed in order to do the conversion.

As far as it being worth it, I'm not sure. I just ordered my conversion parts on Friday and will likely have them here in a couple of weeks. I got a pretty good deal on them so here's hoping. Also, the best WXGA+ LED display is the LG LP141WP2-TLB1. The other LED WXGA+ panel is a Samsung, which from browsing some forums seems to be pretty disappointing. Considering my current WXGA+ CFFL is a Samsung, I'd be inclined to agree. The T400 is a great machine, but the display is junk.

If you're willing to wait for me to get the parts in I'll give a decent review once all's said and done.

[SHoTTa35]

Asked a seller on eBay about a "conversion kit" and here's a reply i got:

1. T400 LP141WP2(TL)(B1) WXGA+ LCD, LED backlight - 42T0498 - US$115/Unit
2. T400 LCD bezel w/ camera for LED - 45N5858 - US$56/Unit
3. T400 LED sub card - 42W7968 - US$56/Unit
4. T400 LCD Cable LED w/ Camera Bluetooth - 44C5364 - US$28/Unit
5. T400 Camera - 42T3106 (Optional) - US$58/Unit

Shipping by DHL: US$30

Total: US$343

Or it would be $285 as i already have a Camera and BT in this one. Still lots of cash tho for a little upgrade. I'm now thinking to just get the CCFL WXGA+ panel. Then later when I oneday upgrade to a T410 (or something newer as long as they still have the 16:10 panel!) i'll get a LED display then. Might as well use some of that money to get a SSD instead.

[dr_st]

WXGA --> WXGA+ is a worthy upgrade almost anytime.
CCFL --> LED is in most cases a completely worthless waste of money.

[SHoTTa35]

Solid advice my good sir, i ended up finding a CCFL WXGA+ for $65. Gonna test that out once i get that probably friday/saturday (hopefully).

[LegendaryKA8]

Admittedly I just got in the LED upgrade kit today. It was pricey but I was completely irate at my existing Samsung WXGA+ display... it's a complete piece of garbage in my opinion. The LG display is all over it in terms of viewing angle, color accuracy, and better-looking text. I'm not sure why that is, but it works.

Putting the LED panel in was a major pain, but all in all at least to me it's worth it. My ThinkLight now works rather than being a blinding, distracting light in my face every time I try to work in the dark. It's a major deal to me, so I'm pretty stoked.

This retrofit definitely isn't for everybody. It's still pretty expensive and I'll admit getting this was a gamble, but for me I'm happy with it.