X230 - how to identify IPS panel online?

[naltar]

Hello,
I'm trying to find an x230 with i7 processor AND an IPS screen (and preferably backlit keyboard). Is there any way to identify a presence of IPS panel from, say, a combination of specs?
I'm asking, since some sellers are unaware of IPS option and, possiby due to high volume sales, are not very keen to dig around to find out whether this particular machine comes with it. Is there a way to, at least, narrow down options, e.g. when an x230 comes with a combination of certain features, e.g. i7, 8GB RAM (and perhaps ssd or 500GB hdd or backlit display, 60W v. 90W power supply), it is also more likely to have been fitted with an IPS panel? I know RAM could have been added or removed, power supply swapped, IPS panel fitted, but disregarding this for a moment (in the mood of "what have Romans done to us" , are there any signs jof IPS panels related to feature combination? I did notice a "Product ID" and "Device ID" (W10 "About" screen) for one or two sales,but those numbers do not come up on lenovo support websites. Alternatively, what's the simplest method to find out what panel is used (other than comparing with non IPS screen model side by side)? In my old x220, I can look it up under "monitor" (device manager) and it's listed as "wide-angle screen...", is it a reliable method for x230 too, as long as the panel hasn't been swapped? Well, ultimately, I can fit one myself, but it requires more skills than just swapping a keyboard (non-lit to lit), and good panels are not exactly super-cheap either.

p.s. looking at various ads, mainly on ebay, I noticed at least two where the x230 (W10), non-tablet variant, came with "Touch support with 2 touch points", while others come with "no touch support". Does this "touch support" refer to touch screen touch, I thought it never did have a touch screen? Or is it reference to touch pad support? But then, they all come with touch pad anyway, so why would some be distinguished by "Touch support", while others as "no touch support"?

Regards,
n.

[dr_st]

I'm trying to find an x230 with i7 processor AND an IPS screen (and preferably backlit keyboard). Is there any way to identify a presence of IPS panel from, say, a combination of specs?

If it was a Topseller model (model code ending with U for US and G for global models), then the Ltwbook Psref will have the information. Otherwise, it's hard, because Lenovo's online model type lookup did not explicitly mention IPS or not.

Is there a way to, at least, narrow down options, e.g. when an x230 comes with a combination of certain features, e.g. i7, 8GB RAM (and perhaps ssd or 500GB hdd or backlit display, 60W v. 90W power supply), it is also more likely to have been fitted with an IPS panel?

No, there is no way to deduce IPS based on other spec combinations; it was really possible to mix and match it with everything.

Alternatively, what's the simplest method to find out what panel is used (other than comparing with non IPS screen model side by side)? In my old x220, I can look it up under "monitor" (device manager) and it's listed as "wide-angle screen...", is it a reliable method for x230 too, as long as the panel hasn't been swapped? Well, ultimately, I can fit one myself, but it requires more skills than just swapping a keyboard (non-lit to lit), and good panels are not exactly super-cheap either.

Yes, that's a reliable method, and it should work even if the panel was swapped, because it reads the EDID in the panel itself. However, it requires the Lenovo monitor INF file to be installed. HW info tools like Everest, AIDA64 and similar can also read the panel model type, which will tell you this information.

p.s. looking at various ads, mainly on ebay, I noticed at least two where the x230 (W10), non-tablet variant, came with "Touch support with 2 touch points", while others come with "no touch support". Does this "touch support" refer to touch screen touch, I thought it never did have a touch screen? Or is it reference to touch pad support? But then, they all come with touch pad anyway, so why would some be distinguished by "Touch support", while others as "no touch support"?

Only the tablet variants came with touch screen support. Even though you could retrofit a touch screen on a regular version, I am not sure there is any place on the non-tablet motherboard to connect the touch input to.

You simply cannot trust any information in ads to be accurate.

[naltar]

Thank you very much for the detailed response, it looks like it's going to be a bit of hit and miss for me, as sellers' responses have been mixed, and when I ask them to install (or download a run a portable app, like AIDA64 or Everest, they'll probably just stop replying. Well, if I don't ask, I don't get, that's for sure!

As to the touch input, I am... somewhat baffled then, following your response. I did think the tablet is the only one with touch, which you confirm, but looking at the prices of those units (totally unrelated sellers) and the fact that what I have seen advertised is just photos of laptop screen they took, and both photos show "touch support with 2 touch points", I doubt anyone would make false claims (particularly as neither of the sellers actually mentioned touch screen), so there must be something about that "touch" that is, probably, a simple explanation. Anyway, I'll try to attach both photos, for reference.

http://www.mapywig.org/marekz/a1.jpg
http://www.mapywig.org/marekz/b1.jpg

Once again, thank you very much for your feedback on my questions.

Regards,
n.

[RealBlackStuff]

That's not the seller, that's Windows 10 fantasizing through its back teeth, as usual.

Your almost only way to check what's in a laptop, is getting its S/N
Go to https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/partslookup
Select "By Productinfo" and enter the S/N of that laptop (without a dash), e.g. R9-Y5MVB becomes R9Y5MVB
Then check Configuration "As built" or "Model" and go down the list for the LCD panel.
And unless a previous owner changed it, there you have your LCD ex-factory.
SEC 12.5HD TN
LCD PANELS
in the above case.

[naltar]

That's not the seller, that's Windows 10 fantasizing through its back teeth, as usual.

ah, the usual suspect, thanks!

Regards,
n.

[naltar]

Yes, that's a reliable method, and it should work even if the panel was swapped, because it reads the EDID in the panel itself. However, it requires the Lenovo monitor INF file to be installed. HW info tools like Everest, AIDA64 and similar can also read the panel model type, which will tell you this information.

so, to clarify, if the inf file isn't present, the "Monitor" will still show only as "LCD panel" in the device manager tree? Helpful to know, not too helpful if you don't know

Regards,
n.

[naltar]

Go to https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/partslookup
Select "By Productinfo" and enter the S/N of that laptop (without a dash), e.g. R9-Y5MVB becomes R9Y5MVB
Then check Configuration "As built" or "Model" and go down the list for the LCD panel.
And unless a previous owner changed it, there you have your LCD ex-factory.
SEC 12.5HD TN
LCD PANELS
in the above case.

I tried that lookup earlier, for one of my x220s, and when I entered my model number (4291YYH) and serial (4291YYH), I couldn't find _any_ panels on that list below, but the "machine info" around the top lists my panel as "Graphics: 12.5 1366x768 / Monitor: 3Yr 1Yr Bat OSR" (which makes me none the wiser, but it doesn't matter, as I'm more interested in an x230, not spare x220). Unfortunately, the serials on the back of those two x230s being sold are not printed on their back, so the sellers would need to open the battery compartment and write it down for me, I'll see if I can get them to do that.

Regards,
n.

[RealBlackStuff]

You need only the Serial Number, NOT the Model!

[MrBurgerKing]

Utilities like HWInfo, AIDA64, Everest, etc. should still be able to give you the specific model number regardless of model loaded.
4291YYH is a model number, not a serial number.
See below for more details:
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/soluti ... oduct-name

[naltar]

You need only the Serial Number, NOT the Model!

sorry, I mistyped, I actually tried both, a serial and model number. Anyway, the seller of the x230 was good, installed that inf exe file, the panel was an IPS, so a purchase was made. Now, combined with the x220s I've already got (and an older n3400), I've become a propriator of a small lenovo museum, I guess

Regards,
n.

[Andrew479]

Sorry to revive this old thread, but I find myself in the same shoes as OP.
All I can find in my location are x230 with i5-3320M, is there a chance that any of these models come with IPS from factory, or only those with i7?

[dr_st]

All I can find in my location are x230 with i5-3320M, is there a chance that any of these models come with IPS from factory, or only those with i7?

Plenty of i5-3320M units came with IPS screens from factory. You need the model number to know.

[Andrew479]

All I can find in my location are x230 with i5-3320M, is there a chance that any of these models come with IPS from factory, or only those with i7?

Plenty of i5-3320M units came with IPS screens from factory. You need the model number to know.

OK, thanks.
So the parts lookup will show IPS? From the previous posts I got the impression, that it'll print something generic, like "12.5" antiglare, 1366x768".
I could get the SNs I think, but the seller have about 20 of them and won't be willing to go through the INF method for all.

[dr_st]

For some models (the ones in the PSREF) just the model number may be enough. For others you will need the serial and use the parts lookup.

[Andrew479]

OK, I got one S/N, but the parts lookup aren't very specific:


Where can I check it?

[dr_st]

04W3920 is not IPS. FRUs for IPS are 04W3919, 04W3462 and 93P5675.

[Andrew479]

04W3920 is not IPS. FRUs for IPS are 04W3919, 04W3462 and 93P5675.

Thanks, that's useful.
I checked another S/N and there was no screen in the parts list at all. What does it mean?

Edit: never mind, it means the screen is not recognized by parts lookup (BTW, this machine seem to have IPS under very strange FRU)

[jursky]

04W3920 is not IPS. FRUs for IPS are 04W3919, 04W3462 and 93P5675.

Thanks, that's useful.
I checked another S/N and there was no screen in the parts list at all. What does it mean?

Edit: never mind, it means the screen is not recognized by parts lookup (BTW, this machine seem to have IPS under very strange FRU)

Did you already find suitable IPS panel? If not I could maybe send you mine. I have two x230 laptops, one i7 with nitrocaster+FHD panel and one i5 with classic LVDS LGD 768p IPS panel (you're after). The latter was collecting dust on a shelf for a long time now so I could just probably send it to you, you'll probably make more use from it. I still have a spare TN panel somewhere so I would put it there after I send you the panel and sell the whole machine for few bucks. I am from Slovakia so I could send it to you via Slovak/Czech Post. As for the IPS panel, if I remember correctly it's either LP125WH2(SL)(B1) or LP125WH2(SL)(B3) - one of those two, I can verify and clarify that after I get back home from work. No scratches, no dead pixels and colors and brightness are even somewhat better than the FHD panel I am using in my main X230.

Edit: so the exact panel I have in spare x230 is LP125WH2(SL)(B3).