The first (AFAIK) T43p with a LED-lit AFFS LCD...PIC warning

[ajkula66]

Those amongst you who follow my posts are familiar with the SATA-modded 15" T43p that serves as my main machine...described here:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=103941

Taken as far as it can possibly be when it comes to upgrades, right?

Not quite.

What's this guy up to now for crying out loud?

How about an upgrade to a LED-lit AFFS FlexView LCD?

Think I'm kidding? Think again.

Since this is a T4x forum I'll only post two pictures...to open the appetite of the fellow forum members for an upcoming more detailed post...in the "Post the picture..." area... ...sometime later today/tonight...

The other ThinkPad in the picture is my trusty old A31p, with a conventional CCFL-lit ID Tech UXGA FlexView LCD. The oldtimer (which I'm typing on right now, falling in love with it all over again) is by no means equipped with a dim screen - those who know me are well aware that I have no tolerance for this type of imperfection - but actually a slightly-above-average panel when it comes to brightness...although these pictures would have you believe differently...

Both units are running with LCDs on maximum brightness, with an AC adapter plugged in.





More to follow, stay tuned...

[Fixed_Rider]

Looks really good!

[ajkula66]

Looks really good!

Thank you.

This upgrade will be soon made available to fellow forum members...stay tuned...

[TuuS]

Definitely the perfect upgrade for any thinkpad, now you need to figure out how to put an LED flexview screen in a 15.4" model That would really perfect the T61/T500 line.

[Adda]

Awesome! when will all this end? when do someone make a new planar?

[Tasurinchi]

Whoaaa... That's über cool!

Now the only thing you have to figure out is how to put a dual core processor in the T43p to make it the mother of all T43p's

[RealBlackStuff]

You can also put this LCD in a T601FL (T60/T61 Frankie with LED)
Then add a whopper of an X9000 CPU to that!

[emeraldgirl08]

Wow O.O

How long did it take to do the mod George?

[ThinkRob]

Nicely done. Does the panel come with LED backlighting or did you do one of the upgrade kits to replace the backlight of a CCFL model?

[ajkula66]

Nicely done. Does the panel come with LED backlighting or did you do one of the upgrade kits to replace the backlight of a CCFL model?

You wouldn't recognize your old T43p, would you, my good man...LOL

The panel is a LED-lit Hydis AFFS and *major* modifications (courtesy of RealBlackStuff) were made to the power and cabling part to get this baby running...

Will be posting a proper review once my Internet is back up, can't do it from my BlackBerry...

[ThinkRob]

You wouldn't recognize your old T43p, would you, my good man...LOL

The panel is a LED-lit Hydis AFFS and *major* modifications (courtesy of RealBlackStuff) were made to the power and cabling part to get this baby running...

Apparently not! Nicely done, especially impressive considering that it's an LED AFFS panel and not a CCFL one converted to use LED backlighting.

I have a better track record with X series mods, so I'm always impressed by you crazy T4x modders.

[ajkula66]

As promised, here's the thread with more pictures:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=107072

[ZaZ]

Very nicely done. I'd love to do this, but the cost of the screen probably makes it a no-go for me. While my LG SXGA+ is not the best IPS, it's doing quite nicely.

[ajkula66]

Very nicely done. I'd love to do this, but the cost of the screen probably makes it a no-go for me.

I'm certain that you could apply for a "Mod discount" with RBS...

[Neil]

While I find this an exciting mod, and the screen is really bright...I find myself thinking that, at least in a few of the pictures, the A31p lookes better.

Sure, there have been times when I wished my X40 display was brighter (when I'm using it in the car). But, don't think I've ever wanted a brighter screen on any of my 15" displays. I usually use them with the brightness turned down a few notches anyway.

Of course, the longer life would be a real plus...Guess I'll have to wait an see what the cost would be before deciding for certain that it's not for me.

[ajkula66]

While I find this an exciting mod, and the screen is really bright...I find myself thinking that, at least in a few of the pictures, the A31p lookes better.

An interesting point, especially coming from someone who has seen his fair share of the screens.

My experience with LED panels in general - and this one is no exception - is that they require getting used to, when coming from a conventional CCFL screen. The better the panel quality - the faster the adjustment in my experience. Took me less than 45 minutes to get very comfortable with HP's 17" DreamColor-equipped workstation laptop...never *really* got used to my (long-since-sold) LED-lit T400...

The real problem is, now that I've adjusted to this screen, everything else looks pretty darn dim...

Sure, there have been times when I wished my X40 display was brighter (when I'm using it in the car). But, don't think I've ever wanted a brighter screen on any of my 15" displays. I usually use them with the brightness turned down a few notches anyway.

You have the exact opposite approach from mine. Nothing wrong with that, just goes to show how much one's needs can differ when it comes to stuff like this.

Of course, the longer life would be a real plus...Guess I'll have to wait an see what the cost would be before deciding for certain that it's not for me.

I'll keep quiet on that one...for now...

[Neil]

An interesting point, especially coming from someone who has seen his fair share of the screens.

Still nowhere the number you've seen. And, I've never owned, or even used, an LED lit LCD for any length of time. I've only seen the LED LCD TV screens in the store, side by side on the shelf with CCFL models.

I have four (working) Flexview screens in my home right now. UXGA in the A31p (x2) and T60p, and SXGA+ in the T43. None of them are perfect, but to my eyes, the aging A31p that is quite red at startup, produces the most pleasing image. The colors are warm and smooth...hard to describe, but it just looks good to me.

[ajkula66]

None of them are perfect, but to my eyes, the aging A31p that is quite red at startup, produces the most pleasing image. The colors are warm and smooth...hard to describe, but it just looks good to me.

Well, yeah...that is the beauty of the original DBU/ID Tech FlexViews used on A30p and A31p. No other screen - not even the later ID Tech ones seen in R50p/T42p/T43p - offer the same experience. Precise and responsive they're not. Warm and painless to view for an extended period of time they most certainly are.

As most of us adults know, there are trade-offs in every area of life, whether we like it or not...

With LED panels - even the very best ones, like this Hydis or HP's DreamColor - you trade some of the warmth for precision and brightness, not to mention longevity.

[twistero]

Hmm, can't you adjust color balance in Windows? I imagine it must be pretty easy to create a warmer color profile.

[ajkula66]

Hmm, can't you adjust color balance in Windows? I imagine it must be pretty easy to create a warmer color profile.

I don't like the way it's done in Windows per se.

That's why I'm still playing with CCC. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like I'll have enough time soon, working 12 hour days with a 5-6 hour commute on top of it...

That being said, Mint Debian looks about 50 times warmer than W7 on the same hardware...go figure.

[ZaZ]

with a 5-6 hour commute on top of it.

That doesn't sound fun at all. I moved cause I didn't like my 25 minute commute. Now I'm sub 10 minutes one way.

[ajkula66]

That doesn't sound fun at all. I moved cause I didn't like my 25 minute commute. Now I'm sub 10 minutes one way.

You lucky, lucky man...

I'm with my in-laws in Brooklyn until the "emergency" work conditions are lifted off (pushing day # 9 of 12-hour shifts with no end in sight) but had a chance to develop a new graphics profile for this screen, that I'm *really* happy and excited about.

However, while the T43p is with me - A31p is not - so I'll wait to post new comparison pictures until I get back home for an extended period of time, which may happen in three days, or three months...

[ZaZ]

You could move back to Brooklyn, no? I've been at my job for almost 10 years. When I was doing the hour in my car every day, I figured in those 10 years, I spent three months just sitting in my car driving to and fro from work. I don't even want to calculate yours. I wish I could have that time back.

[ajkula66]

You could move back to Brooklyn, no?

Not an option for several reasons, one of them being that I hated living in Brooklyn when I was there...

I don't even want to calculate yours. I wish I could have that time back.

Well, yeah, six and half years of commuting five or more hours a day would come to quite a bit of time...I don't want to calculate that myself, trust me...

[bretahrnek]

looks great.

will You post something like how to do this mod please?


Regards Brett

[RealBlackStuff]

I am the one doing those mods.
You can send me a 15" T4x lid, complete with UXGA LCD cable, UXGA inverter (but no LCD obviously), and I'll modify your cable and inverter, and install a new such screen for you.

[bretahrnek]

I am the one doing those mods.
You can send me a 15" T4x lid, complete with UXGA LCD cable, UXGA inverter (but no LCD obviously), and I'll modify your cable and inverter, and install a new such screen for you.

I think that delivery cost to USA and then back to UK would kill my budget.
Don't You wanna share Your secret and post there guide how to do this mod please?
I feel brave enough to modify cable and inverter.

cheers Brett

[Raceboy]

Don't You wanna share Your secret and post there guide how to do this mod please?
I feel brave enough to modify cable and inverter.

cheers Brett

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... &start=300

[bretahrnek]

thank You Raceboy
so this panel with mod should work...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0832647843

[ajkula66]

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... &start=300

Not really.

The approach that RBS has chosen is WAY more sophisticated than what was reported in the aforementioned thread.

I would've *never* allowed the mess that is seen in Alexey's pictures to reside within my second favourite laptop, not by a long shot - but that's me.

To make one thing perfectly clear: I'm not trying to dispute Alexey's ingenuity by any means - nothing but the highest respect for his pioneering work here - but some of us prefer to go an extra mile (or ten) in order to achieve perfection...