R60, change LCD XGA 1024x768 to SXGA+ 1400x1050, compatible?

[Student1]

I recently dropped something on my laptop, shattering the LCD. I'm an electronic noob, so data sheets are like reading latin for me.

What do I need to look at to determine if this is viable with my current R60?

[ZaZ]

Welcome aboard. How's the weather down south?

Just from looking at the service parts and I'm admittedly no expert, it looks like the 14" XGA and SXGA+ use all the same parts, except the LCD of course, unless someone cares to correct me. I recently swapped out the SXGA+ panel on my R60 for an IPS panel. It was a straight swap. If you can find one, supposedly the BOE-Hydis FRU 13N7061 is the best of the 14" SXGA+ panels. You might want to post over in the Marketplace forum to see if anyone has a screen. You may find here cheaper than eBay and they tend to be more gentlemanly here than eBay, where it's all about selling. Good Luck.

[Student1]

My LCD is actually 15" (12" by 9").

I found a simiilar thread http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=75011 and PM'd the author hoping to find some answers too.

[ZaZ]

Then I know it's possible because I've done it. The R60 uses the same cable regardless of the resolution. I might suggest looking for a T60 IPS panel if you've got a 15" R60. It's the best notebook screen ever. The regular 15" SXGA+ is not very good. I know because my R60 had the LG SXGA+ panel before I swapped it. Post in the Marketplace you're looking for one. Someone may have one.

[Student1]

How much would IPS Panels set me back. I can find 15" SXGA+ for about $118+35 shipping.
I think you mentioned saying you did a straight swap, so your resolution didn't change at all?

I PM'd another member and he told me, "you need to change LCD (Intel maksimum support 1400x1050), LCD cable and inverter." if I wanted to upgrade the resolution.

[ZaZ]

That would depend on how patient you can be. They're not growing on trees. It took me a couple of months to get mine here with a few misses along the way. You can buy one on eBay right now. The part number is 13N7078 or FRU is 42T0325. It'll probably cost you more than the SXGA+ panel you're looking at now. You have to be careful on eBay because many of the screens are compatibles, meaning they'll fit, but are not IPS screen and many of sellers don't know what they're selling in my experience. You sometimes can get lucky on eBay. I saw a new IPS SXGA+ IPS T60 screen go for $90 on eBay right before I got my R60. I think your best option is to post over in the Marketplace forum to see if someone has an extra screen, if not go from there. You can always put the one you got lined up now if you can't find something. I paid $125 for my screen, but you're in Canada. You may have to pay a bit more with extra shipping costs and exchange rate.

Looking at the service parts again, the 15" XGA and SXGA+ use all the same parts except the LCD. That and the fact you can get SXGA+ on the Intel card would lead me to believe it will work, but it's not my money. My machine has the X1300. I can't comment from experience. If you want see how good the IPS screen is, take a look at some shots of my IPS R60 next to my 14" R60 in this thread. The 14" has the BOE-Hydis panel, which is supposed to be the best of the 14" SXGA+ panels.

[Student1]

Thanks for the replies in trying to help me with this. I took a screen shot of my Monitor Type using PC Wizard 2008 like you did:
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8476/desktop1h.jpg

Finding another LTN150XF-L03 XGA cost about $92 + shipping

And searching for 13N7078 on eBay will set me back about 120 + shipping (which I am more than happy to spend to upgrade the monitor). I'm kind of anxious too, to get it ready for a trip next month. I would be looking at this type of monitor:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0352307968

From your thread, I can see the quality of the IPS screen is really good. Getting the extra resolution works out great for me too.

So if I got the monitor, would it be a simple installation of plug and play? From XGA to SXGA+, or would I have to install some new video drivers? also did you have an online walkthrough to look at?

Thanks again

Admin edit: Changed huge inline image (>50KB) to a link

[Student1]

I've been going through some of your old postings reading about how you went the easier route with a T60 SXGA+ since it was more plug and play.

So there really isn't any difference between these two auctions is there?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0415984347 [listed as 42T0325]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0352307968 [listed as 13N7078]

I also read that you got an external monitor for your laptop. Would you recommend this? When buying an SXGA+ from a seller from eBay, I would be looking at $35 shipping, so an additional monitor at $8 more for shipping could be worth it. But I've never seen a laptop dock before. All I thought was ppl would buy actual PC LCD Monitor and hook them up to their laptops as an external monitor.

Thanks again for the help.

[ZaZ]

You have to be careful on eBay because many of the screens are compatibles, meaning they'll fit, but are not IPS screen and many of sellers don't know what they're selling in my experience.

I think this the important point. Many of the screens sold on eBay are compatibles, meaning they'll fit, but are not IPS screens. Unless it explicitly states it is an IPS screen, I would assume it is not. I have spoken to many of the eBay sellers while I was looking for a screen. It was my experience many do not know what they are selling.

I think if you want a IPS screen your best course of action is to post over in the Marketplace forum to see if anyone has an extra screen. If you get one there you'll be assured of what you're getting. I got mine here.

The only thing is you may not find one right away. It took me a few months of looking before I found a screen.

I found the process of swapping the screens pretty straight forward. The hardest part for me was keeping all the screws separated properly. You can look at the Hardware Maintenance Manual for your R60. It shows how to do the swap. Also, head on over to Lenovo's Support and Training Videos website. It has videos showing how to disassemble the the LCD, backwards and forwards.

I don't have any firsthand knowledge of whether the IPS screen will work with the Intel card. It would be my guess it will work because they use all the same parts and you can get a SXGA+ R60 with the Intel card, but I am by no means an expert. You may have to make a leap of faith.

There's no need to say thanks. I'm just repaying those who helped me when I'm stuck, which sadly is often. Good Luck.

[Student1]

Thanks I may just have to try my luck and question sellers using the image you've shown. And post in the marketplace too.

[Student1]

I put this off for a while, but now I am in a rush to order a display to have it ready for the end of the month. My display doesn't have to be IPS, I would just like to have a 1400x1050 resolution.

From my eBay searches I have a seller selling 2 different Thinkpad 15" SXGA+ LCD Display and was wondering if their is any difference

NEW LENOVO THINKPAD R60 15" SXGA+ LCD SCREEN MATTE $113+shipping

LENOVO 13N7078 LAPTOP LCD SCREEN 15" SXGA+ $116+shipping (No MATTE description). How would it arrive? Glossy?

Thanks