*POSSIBLE* QXGA hack for the W7xx models

[bhtooefr]

Yes, QXGA, not WQXGA.

The hack is purely theoretical at this point, but it might be a decent replacement for my T60p in the future. I refuse to back down below ~3 megapixels on screen resolution, and I hate TN panels, so for now, I'm stuck on my T60p, because nothing's available with higher than 1920x1200 resolution for a widescreen laptop.

A 15.0" 4:3 screen is 9" tall. So is a 17.0" 16:10 screen. (So is an 18.4" 16:9 screen, but as there's no W800, that's a non-issue right now, unless you want to install this screen in some gaming laptop.)

So, build an adapter that screws onto the LCD, extends ~1.2" out from the LCD, and then attaches to the stock ThinkPad mounts. Cover up the adapter with black plastic, so it's less obvious what was done.

Theoretically, the LCD will power up and display in a W7xx just as it does in a T60p, so the mechanical adaptation is all that would be needed.

Thoughts?

Edit: Here's a quick photoshop of what I'm talking about: http://bhtooefr.ath.cx/w700qxgaphotoshop.jpg

[Crunch]

I'd be a hypocrit if I were to try to talk you out of this. My tricked-out T60p is sitting on my shelf probably wondering how I'm doing with my 400nit 17" WUXGA TN CCFL beast. Last time I looked at a ThinkPad with IPS, I caught myself doing a double-take. It was a T60 that I had given to my dad for Christmas. And mind you the W700 has a great screen...comparatively speaking. I'm going to guess that the W710 will have at least a decent LED-backlit display, and coupled with a color calibrator, that's the closest you'll come to a true high-end IPS screen.

Oh well, it is what it is. Looks like we'll at least get a high-quality TN w/ LED backlight, along with a color calibrator, which does make a difference. I can dig it.

[QFoam]

Instead of the black plastic, I'd put in better speakers, a la "Flat-panel speakers bring new dimensions to sound" and with a subwoofer in place of the normal ThinkPad speakers.