Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

I want to upgrade my 1366x768 IPS screen to a 1920x1080P IPS screen. I've replaced my broken screen on my X230 in the past and wanted to know if it's a plug and play deal? What part number(s) screen do I need? Will any of them from the X240 or X250 work?

Have there been any new "improvements" to LCD technology since my 1366x768 IPS LCD that I should know of? After having IPS I can never go back, wanted to know if we have any other improvements from Lenovo. I've been under a rock in the thinkpad community since I purchased my X230.

Cheers,

Carthik

The X240 and newer models have FHD IPS options, but the LCD connections are different, as are the mounting points. It would be very difficult to retrofit one into an X230.

The X240's LCDs are connected via eDP (Embedded DisplayPort), while X230 and older use LVDS.

I don't know if there are LVDS FHD panels @ 12.5 inches, but in any case it's not possible since FHD requires a dual-link LVDS connection while the X230's LCD cable is only wired for single-link LVDS, and it's highly likely that the LVDS transmitter on the system board is single-link only.

There are converters for eDP to LVDS connections, but they are still way too big to try to fit into a thinkpad, especially the X230.

Well, comparing the X220/X230 schematics it looks indeed that the second LVDS link in the chipset is not wired anywhere. The LCD connector on the board is 30 pins, so it only supports single link. I cannot imagine the scope of the modification that would have to be done to get the second link out of there. So looks like no FHD.

Now, according to Wikipedia, single-channel LVDS is good for resolutions up to 1400x1050 @60Hz (this conflicts with some other information, because Wikipedia says 112MHz max clock, versus 85MHz in other sources). Assuming Wikipedia is correct, than 1600x900 (HD+) should be possible as well. And if anyone ever made an HD+ IPS 12.5" LVDS panel with a compatible connector, I would actually prefer that to the FHD (which could be too small at 12.5").

And if anyone ever made an HD+ IPS 12.5" LVDS panel with a compatible connector

Unfortunately, a quick search at panelook.com for 1600x900 12.5 inch LCDs yielded 0 results.

More info here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=106919