T420s screen replacement options

[Olangu]

Hi all!

First post for me.

I have a t420s, im looking to mod if with a wqhd-screen (2560*1440) . Anyone else did this already? I can see that the x1 carbon wqhd-screen is very similar and has the correct pin-out (40 pins). Is it possible just to drop this screen in?

A downside with the LP140QH1-SPA2 (X1 carbon-display) is that it's glossy, is there any compatible matte versions on the market.

Thanks for any answers!

Admin edit: Split from T410 screen replacement options thread

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

I have a t420s, im looking to mod if with a wqhd-screen (2560*1440) . Anyone else did this already? I can see that the x1 carbon wqhd-screen is very similar and has the correct pin-out (40 pins). Is it possible just to drop this screen in?

Absolutely not.

Your machine uses LVDS and X1C screen is eDP. Not compatible by a long shot.

is there any compatible matte versions on the market.

No.

You could mod it with the screen from the "old" X1C but it would still be 1600x900 TN. Granted, a better panel but not worth it IMO.

[UBI]

Welcome to the forum!

I have a t420s, im looking to mod if with a wqhd-screen (2560*1440) . Anyone else did this already? I can see that the x1 carbon wqhd-screen is very similar and has the correct pin-out (40 pins). Is it possible just to drop this screen in?

Absolutely not.

Your machine uses LVDS and X1C screen is eDP. Not compatible by a long shot.

is there any compatible matte versions on the market.

No.

You could mod it with the screen from the "old" X1C but it would still be 1600x900 TN. Granted, a better panel but not worth it IMO.

Is it possible to use a LVDS WQHD display replacement?

[atagunov]

I understand there may be some conversion kits out there to fit more modern panels with eDP connectors into T420s. Something similar to the famous "Nitrocaster" board. These require a little soldering and work by stealing one of the two display port outputs from the docking connector. I'm not sure what top resolution these boards provide, but probably not as high as you would like. They definitely support FHD resolution. I'm not sure how finicky brightness control will be; in the worst case you should be able to use short presses on power button to cycle through brightness levels, but maybe the regular buttons would work.. I'm not sure..

I suspect the famous BOE NE140FHM-N61 - 14" low power consumption (IGZO) 400nits brightness FHD (available as an option on T495 if I'm not mistaken) might work with such a conversion kit.

Is it possible to use a LVDS WQHD display replacement?

I think there is a limit on resolution supported by LVDS connector. LVDS itself exists in 30pin and 40pin variants. I suspect T420s has got 30pin LVDS. I'm not sure what the resolution limit for 30pin LVDS is but I strongly suspect it's bellow WQHD.

Finally I'm not sure the graphics system in T420s would work that well at WHQD resolution. Dragging windows across your screen could become slow %) My gut feeling is that FHD is the right resolution for this very nice machine