Upgrade X201s with IPS FHD screen, CPU and 16GB RAM

[kokkolis]

Dear friends,

I gave a rather nice X201s running on Windows 11 on an SSD, however there are some things I hate:

1. I've always felt 8GB Ram are these days very little. Has anyone managed to get a X201s to work with 16GB RAM, and if yes, what do I need to do?

2. I really hate its awful screen and want badly to upgrade the screen to an IPS, maybe to FHD -1920x1080 (as I've done many years ago onto my X230). Has anyone managed to upgrade its screen to an IPS one and to a FHD resolution? Would you be able to let me know the compatible parts?

3. Finally, has anyone managed to upgrade the CPU?

Any help/tips/suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

[TPFanatic]

There's an aliexpress DIY kit that utilizes unused edp lanes for a specific higher resolution LCD. But you have to cut up your lid for it.

There were those x210 and x2100 kits that got you a custom motherboard with modern io and CPUs but I think they're unobtainium now?

8GB RAM is the hard max limit on an X201s, the memory controller cannot handle more.

If you swap to a regular X201 bottom you get the faster Arrandales and a second speaker, but the marginal speed boost is going to be irrelevant. 1st Gen is 1st Gen.

There's AFFS screens in 1280x800 that are like IPS but they are CCFL and only directly swap into a 1280x800 lid, they won't fit the 1440x900 lid, and you'll need an X200 inverter. I don't know if you will need a different LCD cable too.

The Tablets at least have IPS LCDs but they have that hazy touchscreen layer too...

[axur-delmeria]

TPFanatic,

You'll need a different cable when switching from LED-backlit to CCFL-backlit screens.

[ZaZ]

For what you're going to spend on parts if you can find them, you're probably better off buying a newer machine that has what you want.

[kokkolis]

Thank you for your answer...I know getting a newer machine gets better spec, I am still "stuck" onto older ThinkPads (X201/X230/T430s) just because I love the "older" style keyboards (have already swapped the newer keyboard onto X230/T430s with the "traditional ones" from X220, so just trying to upgrade the screens onto the X201s & t430s...

Thank you!

[BryantChang]

Hi, if you are not able to upgrade the screen, will you consider selling it to me?
I'm looking for this thinkpad vantage.
Thanks.

[wujstefan]

Take a look around German forum. Someone made such mods in there, I even bought two units with AFFS screens. A little bit thicker so it needed some slight mod on the bezel, but other than that - perfect.