X200 display replacement - a non-Hydis option?

[ThinkRob]

So I'm interested in replacing the display in my X200 (for obvious reasons). I've come across a couple of panels (in addition to the well-known HV121WX4-100 series) that look like they're compatible, one of which looks quite nice indeed.

First, let's list the Hydis panel's specs:

Contrast ratio: 500:1 typical, no minimum on spec. sheet
White luminance: 200 Cd/m2
Viewing angle:: 89 x 89 x 89 x 89 typical, 90 x 90 x 90 x 90 max.
Response time (rising): 28ms typical

AU Optronics B121EW08 V0.
Contrast ratio: 500:1 minimum, 600:1 typical
White luminance: 425 Cd/m2 min., 500 Cd/m2 typical
Viewing angle:: 70 x 70 x 70 x 70 min., 80 x 80 x 80 x 80 typical
Response time (rising): 15ms typical, 20ms max.

It's worth noting that the spec. sheet lists this panel as being *much* heavier than the Hydis one, and slightly larger (up to .6 mm deeper, as much as 2.9 mm taller.) It also appears to be a lot more power-hungry, but I can't tell for sure based on the datasheet.

From everything I can tell, it should be a drop-in replacement just like the Hydis panel. It's not an AFFS+ panel -- I suspect it's TN -- but from all the specs I can see, it looks like a very nice TN panel. I can't imagine it's any worse than what's in my X200 now...

[AvalonXIII]

At one point back I purchased a "compatible" screen for X200, and it turned out to be a Samsung glossy screen. Never the less, still much better than the original screen. I believe that any screen you get will still be better than the original screen.

[ZaZ]

I'm just curious if you're going to go to all the trouble of replacing your panel, why would get something other than the Hydis? There doesn't seem to be much standardization in the reporting of specs in the LCD industry. While the Optronics may be nice, I doubt it's as good as the Hydis. It won't have the angles of the Hydis. Unless you can get the Optronics screen for significantly less, I don't know why you'd choose it over the Hydis.

[ThinkRob]

I'm just curious if you're going to go to all the trouble of replacing your panel, why would get something other than the Hydis? There doesn't seem to be much standardization in the reporting of specs in the LCD industry. While the Optronics may be nice, I doubt it's as good as the Hydis. It won't have the angles of the Hydis. Unless you can get the Optronics screen for significantly less, I don't know why you'd choose it over the Hydis.

There are three reasons I'm considering it:

1) It's cheap and relatively easy to find.

2) AUO is pretty up front about viewing angle measurement technique, and while they don't provide the detailed protocol like Boe Hydis does, they do define the viewing angle spec pretty well. The viewing angles aren't quite as good as the Hydis panel, but assuming the datasheets aren't just complete fiction, it's close -- close enough that I'd wonder whether I'd really notice a difference in practice.

3) It's matte. The -120 is matte as well, but it's a lot harder to find, and usually quite a bit more expensive.

[ZaZ]

Yes, the 120 is expensive if you can find it at all. I have the 110. I don't find the reflections to very bad at all. The only time I find it annoying is when there's a light source directly overhead, but that's not a common occurrence for me. Perhaps your situation is different. Good luck nonetheless.

[ThinkRob]

Yes, the 120 is expensive if you can find it at all. I have the 110. I don't find the reflections to very bad at all. The only time I find it annoying is when there's a light source directly overhead, but that's not a common occurrence for me. Perhaps your situation is different. Good luck nonetheless.

I don't know how glossy the 110 actually is -- from what I hear it's kinda in-between glossy and matte -- but when I had a MacBook, the glossy screen drove me absolutely insane. I guess I'm just picky, but I couldn't stand it.

[zenit]

i got hydis -100 for 50 bucks off ebay. Great quality panel, super easy to install and cheap as well. Looks super nice in my X200

[ThinkRob]

i got hydis -100 for 50 bucks off ebay. Great quality panel, super easy to install and cheap as well. Looks super nice in my X200

That's a *really* good price for that panel. Did the seller have any more he might be willing to part with at that price?