Does a QXGA-Display work on any R50 or just the R50p?

[Shurato]

Hello folks,

The subject says it already what it is about: Is it possible to replace the current display of any Thinkpad R50 with the fabulous-looking QXGA-Display one or does it specifically need to be the Thinkpad R50p?

The reason I ask is, number one, I'd love to mount this QXGA-Wonder on an R50, and number two, I am still not sure if any R50 would take it.
On the Internet I've read various reposts about QXGA related to the R50, however when looking more precisely, also in this IBM R50 technical manual, it specifically mentions the R50p for the QXGA display. Also on some of these Notebook-LCD screen vendors.

I know that the R50p has got some ATi rage fire GL built in with a neat 128 Mbyte videoRAM and the R50 "just" some ATi 9000something with 32 Mbyte. Now according to me 32Mbyte VideoRAM is enough to display this resolution that big, not sure about the buffering though.

Can anyone please clarify this issue to me, if any R50 would work with the QXGA display or if there would be technical limitations - and if yes what would those be or if it even would not work at all? (incompatibility-issues with connectors, inverter issue with motherboard, BIOS-issue etc.)

Any helpful replies are very much appreciated.

[pianowizard]

Forum member jflores tried the QXGA screen (with the appropriate inverter and cable) on her R51 and it didn't work.

On the other hand, most R50 models can use the UXGA FlexView screen. I happen to have one for sale, so let me know if you're interested.

Welcome to the forum!

[Shurato]

Forum member jflores tried the QXGA screen (with the appropriate inverter and cable) on her R51 and it didn't work.

Ok, so I can exclude the R51 already. Since I read some speculation on the net that it might work/it might not work.

On the other hand, most R50 models can use the UXGA FlexView screen. I happen to have one for sale, so let me know if you're interested.

Thanks for the offer, I will ponder on that one.
To help me understand in specificy, I assume with "UXGA FlexView screen" you mean the 1600x1200 TFT screen, right?
Though I was opting for the super-killer (i.e. QXGA ) and I yet am attempting to get an R50 (hence the question if QXGA would work on a 'standard' R50 or R50e).
However, if I get my hands on an R50 with XGA then it would be a thing to ponder to upgrade to UXGA, if a standard R50 would not be compatible to QXGA. Otherwise, if I get already an R50 with SXGA+, then it's kinda not killer enough to upgrade to UXGA

<requote>

...most R50 models can use the UXGA FlexView...

</requote>

Now if it's "most R50 models", which ones could not be used with UXGA?

Welcome to the forum!

Yay - thanks for the warm welcome and replying to my post

[jflores]

Hi,

As pianowizard answered kindly, I have tried the QXGA screen assembly on a R51 which does not display any image. I have a R50p on the way however (it should arrive thursday). The model I purchased comes with UXGA LCD, which I plan to reuse. So I will most certainly try it on my R51 (not sure about the R50e) which I have already - time to get rid of some to free up some space I guess

I will happily report back whether UXGA assembly works on the R51 - my guess is that it should. But so I thought about the QXGA LCD on the R51

Joscelyn

PS : pianowizard was absolutely right about the time, patience and observation skills required to disassemble and reassemble the panel... reminds me my first airplane model when I was a kid !

[pianowizard]

Now if it's "most R50 models", which ones could not be used with UXGA?

The ones that are certified to use UXGA are listed in my for-sale ad for the UXGA panel.

[Shurato]

Now if it's "most R50 models", which ones could not be used with UXGA?

The ones that are certified to use UXGA are listed in my for-sale ad for the UXGA panel.

Hey, this is a GREAT list!!
I was wondering, is there a way to compile a list like this one showing which models would work with the QXGA display?

[pianowizard]

Hey, this is a GREAT list!!

I'm glad that you found it useful. Keep in mind that it only shows the models listed on IBM's site, which is incomplete. I am pretty sure it's compatible with many other 15" Thinkpads.

I was wondering, is there a way to compile a list like this one showing which models would work with the QXGA display?

That's much harder to do because, as you pointed out in your original post, the information we can find on IBM's and other sites regard the QXGA panel is fairly ambiguous.

[DrMiles]

Hi,

As pianowizard answered kindly, I have tried the QXGA screen assembly on a R51 which does not display any image. I have a R50p on the way however (it should arrive thursday).
<snip>

Joscelyn, can you tell me where you got your R50p from? I am about to buy one from a supplier in Florida (USANotebooks.com), so I'm interested in other sources for comparison. I think they are very good value at the asking price (about 600Euro plus shipping). Was your price similar?

I suppose you will be getting one of those 'bizarre' French layout keyboards.... I tried typing on one on a trip there recently, and it was _so_ awkward!!

regards

Miles
(Cambridge, UK)

Joscelyn

PS : pianowizard was absolutely right about the time, patience and observation skills required to disassemble and reassemble the panel... reminds me my first airplane model when I was a kid !

[jflores]

Hi,

I got mine from a friendly guy called olmauctions on ebay. He does not sell Thinkpads on a regular basis from what I understand, however he was the only one seller that met my three criteria : willing to ship from the US to France (so no fancy bizarre french layout here ), willing to take cc, and selling immediately. Cost was US$649 (+$79 shipping) which is a great price.

However, it got caught in customs - so that means VAT (+19.6%) and fees (+4.5%) - ouch ! and instead of last thursday, it will probably arrive on monday or thursday. Ah well...

Good luck on your R50p purchase. A couple of years ago, I was not very much inclined on using R Series Thinkpads (having only used and appreciated 7xx's, 600's and A's before), but I must admit they are well built and a great value, after having used a R31, R40, R50e and R51.

Moreover, the R50p, despite its name, is in my opinion what an A32p or A40p could/should have been, had the A product line not been killed by IBM... but that's history.

[jflores]

Hi,

OK, reporting back !

I have finisehd doing the QXGA transformation assembly on my R50p ( a couple of hours...). It is impossible to describe the jump in resolution, amazing. Exactly what I was longing for - and not finding in the last two generations of Thinkpads (my previous TP has been an UXGA A31p). Wide screen ? not for me, thanks. Now I don't need to scroll anymore

Many thanks to pianowizard who went there first and took the time to share his experience and pictures ! And by the way, I put the R50p's UXGA panel on the R51, it worked on the first minute, so yes you can go ahead