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Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

X230-X280, X390 Series
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apala4
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Location: Chernihiv, Ukraine

Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#1 Post by apala4 » Wed Mar 07, 2018 4:37 am

Hello,

While I'm still looking for HW to upgrade x230 to 13.3 FHD. I've discovered that there are almost no topics about similar mods for X240/X250.
Only few related topics on reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... _and_x270/
https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... ults_pics/
https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... n_an_x250/

Such an upgrade should be less complicated imo so has anyone already tried?

my assumptions:
- x240, x250 already has modifications with FHD so it is not required to solder any additional PCB
- lid size seems to be appropriate to fit 13.3
- x240, x250 is the next price level over x220-x230 but still affordable and not as expensive as newer x260-270 (just personal preferences)
- jump from 12.5 to 13.3 might not be as worthy as TN->IPS or HD->FHD but still.. why not if you have only to cut lid a bit and install suitable LCD

however I'm not sure:
- are there any BIOS or HW restrictions (LCD whitelist, incompatible socket-connectors, etc)
- there is enough space to fit popular 13.3 FHD LCDs
- other possible drawbacks?

Please point me if I've missed smth obvious.
TIA.

NonesensE
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Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#2 Post by NonesensE » Wed Mar 07, 2018 5:45 am

It's possible and it's been done several times in different variations on the German forum:

https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/20957 ... light=x340

There's even one for sale currently.
Sometimes coming over from the German forum...
X62s 3rd batch, [s]T61[/s] T70 14" 4:3 1st batch

apala4
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2018 4:16 pm
Location: Chernihiv, Ukraine

Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#3 Post by apala4 » Tue Mar 13, 2018 4:23 am

Finally finished reading that thread.
As far as I understand if use panel with pcb on behind (like here viewtopic.php?p=815248#p815248 ) It would be possible to place LCD a bit lower.
So do not need to rearrange mic and web camera location. But that very panel is 4.35mm thick....

Anyway, thx NonesensE for reply.

Will begin with x230->x330 mod and then check if I still'll be looking for x240->x340 mod.

apala4
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2018 4:16 pm
Location: Chernihiv, Ukraine

Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#4 Post by apala4 » Sun Apr 15, 2018 2:40 am

Has just received my x240 ordered on eBay few weeks ago.
sadly I forgot to order a charger for this model and as it came with only 5% charge so cant even test properly.

anyway,

good:
currently, there is linux preinstalled on x240 so after I disassembled the lid and connected my B133HAN04.9 it recognized properly with native FHD.
brightness can be changed with Fn hotkeys. ho issues with the image|drivers|etc

bad:
Due to lack of space inside of the lid I do not see any appropriate way 13.3 B133HAN04.9 or even B133HAN04.6 can be installed without serious lid modification.


I'm to wait for charger and install windows to reassure there are problems with nonFRU LCD and hotkey brightness support.
Luckily it came with IPS HD screen so it is better than nothin )

Any suggestions about what/where to get proper 12.5 IPS FHD panel not to have any issues with installation and LCD whitelist issues?
As I've read the best choice now is 00HM745.

RealBlackStuff
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Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#5 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Apr 15, 2018 9:53 am

seller win0win on eBay.

You can get round-to-square DC adapters such as this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/361778533162
No need to buy a separate charger.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
.

apala4
Posts: 34
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Location: Chernihiv, Ukraine

Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#6 Post by apala4 » Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:36 am

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Sun Apr 15, 2018 9:53 am
seller win0win on eBay.

You can get round-to-square DC adapters such as this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/361778533162
No need to buy a separate charger.
win0win does not have LP125WF2-SPB2 (which I believe i'm looking for with fru 00HM745).
I see smth suitable on tao - https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1 ... 6992034981
"X240/X250/X260 original with FRU number LP125WF2 1920*1080 IPS can adjust brightness"

Thx for the link but already ordered charger for $7.

apala4
Posts: 34
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Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#7 Post by apala4 » Fri Apr 20, 2018 5:58 am

Finally managed to check x240 running win10 with 13.3 B133HAN04.9.

So can confirm (one more time) brightness can not be changed for nonFRU lcd. :cry:

Found tread on 51nb https://forum.51nb.com/forum.php?mod=vi ... 3D1&page=1
Where described X240 with 13.3 FHD.
Translator gives "By cracking the bios, you can unblock the original machine so that it can be dimmed normally.
Since the screen's problem is solved, how can we not deserve a perfect 13.3 b shell?"

But can't understand whether someone has already succeeded in removing LCD whitelist from X240.

Otherwise, I'll have to move to 12.5" LP125WF2 SPBx.

As I understand I should avoid SPB1 and try to find SPB2. What about SPB3-4?
http://www.panelook.com/modelsearch.php ... d=LP125WF2

RealBlackStuff
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Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#8 Post by RealBlackStuff » Fri Apr 20, 2018 7:07 am

SPB3 (very good) or SPB4 (the best and brightest) will also work, provided you are able to cut off the mounting eyelets on both short sides.
I got an SPB3 (SPB4 was not available at that time) and cut those bits off with a Wiss cutter (metal shears) and put that in my X240.
See also https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.p ... 67#p798367
You could also use a Dremel with a diamond cutting blade (be careful that the dust does not get into the screen!
It doesn't have to be a complete removal, there is enough room on both short sides for "leftovers", just check that the LCD fits well enough in the lid.

la-luva
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Location: Elverum, Norway

Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#9 Post by la-luva » Wed Mar 06, 2019 4:59 pm

apala4 wrote:
Fri Apr 20, 2018 5:58 am
Finally managed to check x240 running win10 with 13.3 B133HAN04.9.

So can confirm (one more time) brightness can not be changed for nonFRU lcd. :cry:

Found tread on 51nb https://forum.51nb.com/forum.php?mod=vi ... 3D1&page=1
Where described X240 with 13.3 FHD.
Translator gives "By cracking the bios, you can unblock the original machine so that it can be dimmed normally.
Since the screen's problem is solved, how can we not deserve a perfect 13.3 b shell?"

But can't understand whether someone has already succeeded in removing LCD whitelist from X240.

Otherwise, I'll have to move to 12.5" LP125WF2 SPBx.

As I understand I should avoid SPB1 and try to find SPB2. What about SPB3-4?
http://www.panelook.com/modelsearch.php ... d=LP125WF2


Does anyone have some news about this mod and the brightness control?
T40, T43, T61, T61w, X40, X61T, X61, X61, X601S, X200s, X201, X220 i5, X220 i7, X230 i5, X230T, X240, X260, T430 i5,

RealBlackStuff
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Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#10 Post by RealBlackStuff » Wed Mar 06, 2019 5:41 pm

If you dump Trump (Yeah!!!) Windows and install Linux instead, brightness will work OOTB.

la-luva
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Location: Elverum, Norway

Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#11 Post by la-luva » Fri Mar 08, 2019 5:40 am

Well, im not that familiar with linux.
And like the compability of windows.

So, have to do some more research on this.
T40, T43, T61, T61w, X40, X61T, X61, X61, X601S, X200s, X201, X220 i5, X220 i7, X230 i5, X230T, X240, X260, T430 i5,

cross1983
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Re: Possibility of X240/X250 upgrade to 13.3?

#12 Post by cross1983 » Mon May 20, 2019 2:36 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Fri Apr 20, 2018 7:07 am
SPB3 (very good) or SPB4 (the best and brightest) will also work, provided you are able to cut off the mounting eyelets on both short sides.
I got an SPB3 (SPB4 was not available at that time) and cut those bits off with a Wiss cutter (metal shears) and put that in my X240.
See also viewtopic.php?p=798367#p798367
You could also use a Dremel with a diamond cutting blade (be careful that the dust does not get into the screen!
It doesn't have to be a complete removal, there is enough room on both short sides for "leftovers", just check that the LCD fits well enough in the lid.
Hello!
First, thank you for helpful information on this forum.
I need your advice.
Sorry for my poor English in advance :) .

I want to upgrade matrix for my x240, from HD IPS to FHD IPS.
On this forum I found out that the best choice is 00HM745. But it can be very difficult to find seller, who has the true 00HM745.

Above you wrote that it is possible to buy LP125WF2-SPB3(SPB4) (only need to cut off the mounting eyelets).
So I have some questions about SPB3(SPB4):
1) I guess brightness control should work in Windows, right?
2) What about "ghosting" issue?
3) Do you know trusted Ebay seller for purchasing SPB3 or SPB4?

Thank you!

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