Mystery R61 8935WCS - WSXGA+ Uprade Possible?

[Dekks]

Hi i've been given a R61 that's 15.4 in WS 1280x800 wifi only [no BT & WWAN] model running a T8100 Penryn, however although the label says it's a 8935WCS the code doesn't show up in the official Lenovo website model search, the latest withdrawn book or the krelay.de link.

The closest i can get is a 8935-22U in the withdrawn book which is a T7200 model, anyone have an idea as to where 8935WCS comes from? I think it could be a special educational build for the UK market coinciding with the creation of Academy schools here in the UK.

I'm hoping the build info will allow me to see if i can do a lid swap with a T or R series for the WSXGA+ screen, any info on that will be appreciated.

[ajkula66]

You can definitely swap the panel for a WSXGA+. The only question is whether you'll have to swap the LCD cable as well.

Happy upgrading.

[Dekks]

I'm assuming i do from searching this subforum but i want to get to the bottom of the model number just to make sure.

[axur-delmeria]

I read the R61 HMM late last year because I was also eyeing an R61 + LCD upgrade at the time.

There are eight LCD cable FRUs for the R61 15.4 widescreen, split into the following categories:

1. 1280x800 or 1680x1050
2. with or without Bluetooth
3. with or without camera

Since your current panel is 1280x800, upgrading to WSXGA+ requires changing the cable.

Here's a mod you might be interested in: R500 lid with WUXGA (1920x1200) on R61 15.4 (Japanese) http://think-xps-world.blog.jp/archives/54219176.html

[Dekks]

So changing the cable means opening the lid up? If i'm gonna do that how difficult is it to add a camera?

[ajkula66]

So changing the cable means opening the lid up? If i'm gonna do that how difficult is it to add a camera?

You need a different cable for camera support, along with the camera itself and the LCD bezel.

When I was building the R500F in my signature, the cable alone took a month to find and set me back $45 or so...

You might be better off trying to locate a machine with at least some of the required parts but a dead planar or just plain ugly...

Good luck.

[Saucey]

So changing the cable means opening the lid up? If i'm gonna do that how difficult is it to add a camera?

You need a different cable for camera support, along with the camera itself and the LCD bezel.

When I was building the R500F in my signature, the cable alone took a month to find and set me back $45 or so...

You might be better off trying to locate a machine with at least some of the required parts but a dead planar or just plain ugly...

Good luck.

What makes your R500F special?
I have been curious for awhile, curious to the mix matching you have done to upgrade an R500.

[ajkula66]

What makes your R500F special?

It started its life with a lowly Celeron and WXGA LCD. It did have a webcam, though.

Nowadays it sports a LG WSXGA+ panel and a T9400. "F" comes from a period of time when it was running a CPU from Mac, the 3.06 one. I just never removed the letter once I put a "normal" CPU in.

So all in all, it's a fairly ordinary - albeit somewhat maxed - R500 nowadays.

[Saucey]

Ah nice machine, thanks for your input Ajkula66.
Its still an FrankenPad in my book.

[Dekks]

So changing the cable means opening the lid up? If i'm gonna do that how difficult is it to add a camera?

You need a different cable for camera support, along with the camera itself and the LCD bezel.

When I was building the R500F in my signature, the cable alone took a month to find and set me back $45 or so...

You might be better off trying to locate a machine with at least some of the required parts but a dead planar or just plain ugly...

Good luck.

Thanks for the help so far.

Looks like i need FRU 93P4548 according to the HMM but ebay has that number showing up as with BT and one as with integrated camera LOL

There are 3 WSXGA+ screen types, 2 LG and one Samsung respectively FRU's 13N7020, 42T0423, 42T0328. Anyone have any opinions ? Search throws up 1 Vote for the LG.

[ajkula66]

Anyone have any opinions ? Search throws up 1 Vote for the LG.

LG, hands down. Every day of the week and every hour of the day.

Yes it's a TN panel but it's one of the nicest examples out there.