Thinkpad X230 successful upgrade to 13.3 FHD & msata3.0

Thinkpad X230 is an old but still powerful laptop, but its lcd panel is not so comfortable even changed to IPS as the original resolution is only 1366*768 with 45% color gamut.

Recently, I have upgraded my x230 with a additional circuit board designed by a group of Chinese engineers
The result is now I have a almost excellant X230 which has

1. A 13.3 FHD(1920*1080) 99% sRGB lcd panel
2. A second msata3.0 ssd ,totally 3 disks

Here is my mod steps
1. Welding the additional to the motherboard of x230 and function test


2. Modify shell A&B , because the 13.3 panel is larger than the original 12.5 panel



3. AssemblyAB&Panel then the whole laptop.


Enjoy it!

 

@sdueducn998 does brightness control work? Are X230 modded this way available for sale now?

 

Thanks for your reply!

All functions work well.

Brightness can control though 2 ways: short press power button for cycle adj or with fn key by installing an app for windows provided by the engineer. If your system is linux or macos, you can just use power button.

I bought this circuit board from TaoBao,the Chinese ebay, it cost about $50, but ship fee is not included.

By the way, your also have to buy a 13.3 FHD panel, which is more expensive than the circuit board. I have tried a 12.5 FHD panel which is disassembled from Thinkpad x250, also works well.

If choose a 12.5 FHD panel, there is no need to mod shell A&B , that makes the whole thing much more easier

If your welding skill is good enough , there is no problem to do the job by yourself

 

hello sdueducn998,

congrats on this upgrade!

i am very interested in trying this project. i love the X230. The 12.5 HD screen is just way too small for me too.

how is the battery life with the new 13.3 FHD screen?

is the work pretty simple or a lot of unscrewing and removing parts?

much appreciated on the feedback and info

 

This is very cool! Would you be willing to sell modified display shells for people wanting to do this mod?

I’d like to buy the monitor, pcb and modify my display shell to fit the monitor. But I don’t have the tools to modify the shell.

 

tha's a really impressive upgrade!
what panel exactly?

 

Pretty sure that's KK's kit from 51nb

 

I’m guessing this is a LVDS to Edp converter board? I wonder if the boys over on 51nb can concoct something for Alienware...I was always jealous of the attention they give to thinkpads

 

@Raidriar nah, this board converts docking port DP & SATA to internal eDP and mSATA, afaik.

 

i'd love to get my hands on the board not for the FHD but for the MSATA and internal USB

anyone know the price for that extra chip?

 

Is this the same chip discussed here?

https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=122640

 

yeah somewhat - nitrocaster i think started offering the service initially but QC issues was a large factor back then where I guess these chips were still technically in "beta" phase.

Nowadays - my guess is that the product is close to a stable one but the availability of this on a "global marketplace" such as ebay is still non-existent.

Nonetheless - i'd say the ones that are keen on such mods wouldn't view this hurdle as a significant one given their motivation is on a different level.

in short - taobao is where you can find them and while language is a barrier - engaging a 3rd party buyer or negotiating directly (with google translate) is not impossible.

The risks involved to obtain the end result can only be termed as ludicrous to someone that's not a thinkpad fanatic.

but if i'm honest - its the little things like this that keep us ticking from our otherwise alternate everyday lives right.