Lenovo y460 Screen Upgrade

Update: here is a video of how to replace your screen on the Lenovo y460

Lenovo Y460 Screen Upgrade (1600 x 900) - YouTube

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Old post:

So, I took the plunge and tried to buy a better laptop screen for my Lenovo y460. I purchased the B140RW01 V.2 40pin 1600 x900 Glossy (bottom). After receiving the unit, I proceeded to try and replace my screen, but I immediately noticed a problem. The 40 pin data connector is located on the other side of the unit. So, I moved the screen over to see if it would work (moved it over to the left - not shown in picture). I turned the laptop on to check to if it would work and it does. When turned on the screen looks a million times better than the old screen.

However, after locating a 40pin power extension on amazon.com, I found another problem. Since the enclosure of the display is too wide and too long, the screen will not fit within the y460. Also, there are no screw holes to attach the screen to the y460. So, the unit itself is too large to fit, it just doesn't support the Lenovo's mounting requirements, and I can't put the bezel back over it.

DON'T TRY THIS until there is a solution since it just doesn't work. I'll post an image up soon, but I was wondering if anyone has tried something like this and has had any success. Or, if possible, is there another model, that will work and has the same mounting (screws holes at top and bottom)?

I thank you for your time and I appreciate any assistance or suggestions on the matter. Thank you.

Update (here are two images illustrating the issue):


(notice that the old display has screw holes at the top)


(notice that the new display is too wide and long to fit and has no screw holes, but it does work, boots into Windows and all)

 

But does the screen work? Does it support the full 1600x900 resolution?

 

Yes, as I mentioned above, the screen does work. The y460 boots into windows, recognizes the display and properly functions at 1600 x900. The main issue is that it is too big due to the enclosure and does not have the same mounting system (Screws holes in top and bottom). So, I'm wondering if there is a screen similar to this that can fit and has the same mounting used within in the y460.

I've already returned the display (again not because it didn't work, but because it was too big to screw into place and put the bezel back on, also you need a 40pin extension to put it in the position I have shown above). So, I'm trying to narrow down another alternative. If any one has any ideas or knows of another model please let me know. Thank you.

Update 1:
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I found three potential candidates that appear to have the appropriate mounting required:

Canidate 1

Item ID: 35956303

Canidate 2

Item ID: 42989741

Canidate 3

Item ID: 88501553

Can any one assist me in determining if they have 40 pins, and the bezel is slim enough (it appears they are).

The pictures they are using are the same generic picture for each screen unfortunately.

Update 2:

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I tried to find some more screen shots for the above candidates. So far, the B140RW02 V.0 is looking like it may be the one to go with. If you check out this link (scroll down to see all the pictures) the pictures show that the screen looks very similar to the Lenovo y460 and may just work.

Also, the B140RW02 V.0 does have a 40 pin connector:
"Backlight Type: LED Data Connector: 40pins Status: New, Grade A+. "

 

For those on the hunt. I found out two important terms for narrowing down a screen. From what I understand there are two key types of screens. One is called "slim" and pertains specifically to the type of display the Lenovo y460 requires (typically means screw holes on top and bottom and has black tape for boarders).

The next type is simply called "panel" which comes in a wider and thicker type of packaging (typically this is meant for screw holes on the side and has a grey metal bezel on all sides). The two types are illustrated above in my first post. Not every site mentions these important differences, but at the very least, they do show a picture showing the configuration.

 

I can confirm that the B140RW02 V.0 works. The viewing angle, brightness, and contrast are about the same, but the resolution is now 1600 x 900. I purchased the glossy version so I cannot comment on how the matt finish would look.

I'll post a video up later tonight or tomorrow. I hope this helps those who want to upgrade their screen. My brother has a y470 and we might try to upgrade his display over the summer. We have to find a different replacement for his laptop as I believe it requires a 30 pin connector.

 

As promised here is a video of the display working with the Lenovo y460:

Lenovo Y460 Screen Upgrade (1600 x 900) - YouTube

I may do another video and provide some information for a y470 screen upgrade over the summer.

 

Well done factorx, nice video!

I wonder if it will be the same screen as in the y480. Would be nice to enhance it ...

 

It may be possible, but it would be a good idea to open it up first and find out any information such as how it is mounted, and usually the model is listed on the back of the screen. In some cases, this may not be necessary as Screen Country provides some information about the display such as if it uses a 40 or 30 pin data connector, dimensions, and a picture that represents the type of mounting used within the laptop.

If you can determine the exact model number of the display and search it you can find a list of specifications for the screen (brightness, contrast viewing angles, resolution, etc). So, if you know the specifications of the screen, you can narrow down a few suitable candidates to replace it. Once you narrow down a few candidates with the correct dimensions and mounting, you can then look up each of those model specifications and find out which screen either matches the one you currently have (with the exception of the resolution) or exceeds the specifications such as brightness, contrast, resolution, etc.

This method could theoretically work for any laptop, but it requires a bit of research, and you have to sort though a lot of models off of sites like screen country and dig around a bit. The processes isn't too hard, but it can be time consuming, and you aren't guaranteed that that particular model is compatible, but there is a large probability that it will be if you follow the above method.

 

I was under the impression that a higher-resolution screen would not work in our laptops because the type of cable Lenovo used does not support resolutions higher than 1366x768. How did you get around this limitation?

I'm quite interested in doing this in my Y470, especially considering how cheap those screens are. You said you might do another video regarding the 470 - is the process and the model I'd need to buy the same?

 

What I don't understand is that the LCD in my Y470 is a AUO b140xw03 v.0, which is a 40pin layout as well.

B140XW03 V0 Specification & Datasheet download - Panelook.com

Why would the upgrade not work?

 

If you have a 40-pin cable and a 40-pin LCD and all pins are active, then it will work. I may have mistakenly recalled that the Y460 did not have all 40 pins active. I was hoping to be able to confirm whether the Y470 is compatible with a 1600x900 screen before I waste money on it and spend time taking apart my laptop.

 

Y470 ~ 40pins total, 30 to the screen, 10 to the webcam

 

So a 40 pin screen can run off of 30 pins then?

 

Screen country listed the Lenovo y470 as 30 pins (they do not have it shown anymore). If you opened up your laptop and found the particular display has 40 pins then this is a bit conflicting. Just be sure to do a bit of research. I narrowed down one model that is slim, is 1600 x 900, and has 30 pins, but I don't want to post it since I myself haven't opened up the Lenovo y470 yet. I may look into the y470, but, if you or anyone else wants to take the initiative and look into it a bit further, it is more than welcomed.

The 40 pin cable is just a data cable, the GPU itself is capable of supporting higher resolutions. A display that is designed to accept the same 40pin data connection should be compatible. So, there isn't a limitation to 1366x768 as the upgrade does work. You mentioned active pins in another post, I would hope that a manufacturer wouldn't implement a 40 pin display with pins inactive.

That's interesting, but why would Nakano2k1 find a display that accepts a 40 pin data connection to the screen? Shouldn't the display have 30 pins if that were the case? This is a bit confusing.

@Nakano2k1 You can try the model I used in the y460, but there's no guarantee that it will work.

 

Hi FactorX,

I have 3 things that I want to consult with you:

1.- What is the model of 14" LED screen that you used for your Lenovo ideapad Y460P?, and do you think that this model could work for the new ideapad Y460P model with CPU Intel Core i7 3610QM?

2.-Is 1,600 x 900 the max resolution in 14"?
I could not stop of think about the FHD 14" LED screens of Clevo.

3.- Your laptop uses an AMD GPU, the mine an Nvidia GPU, I wonder if is possible to change my Nvidia GeForce 640M for one AMD Radeon HD 7770M or even an 7990M. I use Linux and Nvidia simply stink in Linux. I think that may be an high power is to ask so much, but may be one 7690M or 7770M is ok.

Thanks a lot for your research, is inspiration for some of us.