Thinkpad W520 screen replacement. Suggestion on after market screens.

[LoneTraveler]

Hello everyone.
I have a Thinkpad W520 and because i have a permanent imprint caused from the trackpoint pressure i want to replace it with a new one. My current screen is 1600x900.
I've found some new screens sold at Ebay at the price of about 60 euros (1600x900). Does anyone have experience with them? Are they inferior than the original one of the W520? Is there difference on color quality? On contrast? Do they have so dark black like the original one or the black is like dark gray?
Thank's.

[Thinkpad4by3]

Hello everyone.
I have a Thinkpad W520 and because i have a permanent imprint caused from the trackpoint pressure i want to replace it with a new one. My current screen is 1600x900.
I've found some new screens sold at Ebay at the price of about 60 euros (1600x900). Does anyone have experience with them? Are they inferior than the original one of the W520? Is there difference on color quality? On contrast? Do they have so dark black like the original one or the black is like dark gray?
Thank's.

1: Look up the model number listed on the eBay Listing
2: Match compatible model numbers
3: Make sure it doesnt mention "xx model number compatoble lcd" that is a surefire way to get a TN screen(grey not black) instead of IPS (black black).

[LoneTraveler]

Thinkpad4by3 i didn't understand very well what you meant. I search for the screen using the FRU number. As you say they write at the descriptions that they'll send the exact model or something compatible if not found the exact. From the price i'm afraid about the quality of the screen. Also the policy for the pixels doesn't ensure "0 dead pixel", something that i don't like at all.
Also I never thought that my original panel is IPS. I don't think W520 came out of the factory with IPS. The contrast is great and the black true black. And colors are not inversed looking from the side. But i thought that it is just TN or LCD or whatever (i'm not an expert). On the other hand the screen on my old L520 (HD) was awful.

[Thinkpad4by3]

Thinkpad4by3 i didn't understand very well what you meant. I search for the screen using the FRU number. As you say they write at the descriptions that they'll send the exact model or something compatible if not found the exact. From the price i'm afraid about the quality of the screen. Also the policy for the pixels doesn't ensure "0 dead pixel", something that i don't like at all.
Also I never thought that my original panel is IPS. I don't think W520 came out of the factory with IPS. The contrast is great and the black true black. And colors are not inversed looking from the side. But i thought that it is just TN or LCD or whatever (i'm not an expert). On the other hand the screen on my old L520 (HD) was awful.

Ok, Ill put this very simply.

They make every type of screen in every type of resolution ever conceieved.

The 2 main types are TN lile your L520 which has those greys instead of black and bad viewing angles.

Exception: TN screens can be AWFUL or they can be good. Tilt your screen all the way back while at a normal angle. If the colors change, its TN otherwise its IPS.

There is the other main type which is IPS. It has great viewing angles and deep blacks. This is your current W520 screen.

There are 2 model numbers. When looking for a new LCD, you will need the LCD Model Number. THIS IS NOT THE FRU. An LCD model number can vary by manufacturer. A samsung might be LTN141U1. You can see how this isnt like the FRU number which is 00x0000.

Make sure the seller is well rated and doesnt seem fishy. If you still arent sure, you are free to PM an eBay link if you would like me to take a look at it. A good sign if it has a real picture, not a placeholder image.

[LoneTraveler]

Thinkpad4by3 thank you very much for your help!
OK, i didn't know that my W520 has IPS panel.. interesting
Well, i figured out some things searching the last hours. What i want is exactly this model (AUO B156HW01 v4). Actually an upgrade of my current LP156WD1 (1600x900). The original of course. I've found a seller who offers it (i've already asked if he/she ensures that it is the original that Lenovo used to use, and wait for answer). The problem is the pixel policy (ISO-9241 CLASS 1). Who wants to take the risk of having a dead pixel in the center of the screen? I wouldn't have problem to pay even 25% above the price to have "0 dead pixel" guaranty at least for a year..

[Thinkpad4by3]

Thinkpad4by3 thank you very much for your help!
OK, i didn't know that my W520 has IPS panel.. interesting
Well, i figured out some things searching the last hours. What i want is exactly this model (AUO B156HW01 v4). Actually an upgrade of my current LP156WD1 (1600x900). The original of course. I've found a seller who offers it (i've already asked if he/she ensures that it is the original that Lenovo used to use, and wait for answer). The problem is the pixel policy (ISO-9241 CLASS 1). Who wants to take the risk of having a dead pixel in the center of the screen? I wouldn't have problem to pay even 25% above the price to have "0 dead pixel" guaranty at least for a year..

You don't even want to touch swapping LCD panels of different makes and models. I've tried and sometimes it works no problem, and sometimes wierd things can happen. Sometimes, it flat out doesnt work. Use the EXACT panel that is in you W520 or get a replacement top unit. You have to match the LCD cable that came with your panel. In the decade prior, IBM put little resistors in the cables to tell the computer the LCD resolution, so screens have to be swapped with cables. Now, Lenovo uses many different manufacturers, each with a slightly different pinout. If the green wores and the red wires are on different pins, your colors will be bad.


Tl;dr Match the lcd panel with what you have or risk problems.

[LoneTraveler]

Thinkpad4by3 that's a pity.. I'd like to upgrade the screen. But of course not take the risk. Do these pictures i attach help to know if the FHD display will be compatible? Do they give any clues about the wires that you said above?
https://ibb.co/fahrsk
https://ibb.co/fE3xXk
https://ibb.co/bAJQJQ
https://ibb.co/gPeMsk

[Thinkpad4by3]

Actually, youre in luck, all GENUINE W520 screens are plug and play, so your road to FHD is clear .

Even I wasnt sure so I had to resort to others on this fourms .

I just wanted to warn you cuz i once did T430s lcd in T420 (768p-->900p) and i got every green pixel on, every other pixel off. It looked horrid.


People on the fourms will be able to sell you a compatible GENUINE W520, and those sellers are more experienced than me on compatible LCDs. Regardless, ordering ans waiting for mail from Hong Kong is a pain in the a-- .

[xsixt]

The 2 main types are TN lile your L520 which has those greys instead of black and bad viewing angles.

Exception: TN screens can be AWFUL or they can be good. Tilt your screen all the way back while at a normal angle. If the colors change, its TN otherwise its IPS.

There is the other main type which is IPS. It has great viewing angles and deep blacks. This is your current W520 screen.

The W520 does not come with an IPS option. However the FHD option (TN) has Wider viewing angles than a crap/cheap TN screen.

[RealBlackStuff]

The W520 does not come with an IPS option. However the FHD option (TN) has Wider viewing angles than a crap/cheap TN screen.

Correct.

[LoneTraveler]

People on the fourms will be able to sell you a compatible GENUINE W520

I don't know how safe is it to buy from members of forums. Actually i can't see any sign of safety! Maybe i'll find to buy from Europe and not from Hong Kong. You did very well to warn me. How knows what happens some times..