It seems that he actually remove the LED (40-pin) connector on the LCD to install the CCFL (20-pin) connector. That's not for the faint of heart, plus you need good soldering skill.
PS: He's also the first person to perform the x61s SXGA+ mod. Pretty insane.
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I posted a while back in this thread asking about the screen mod. I have a T61, and wanted a more portable laptop to complement it. I actually ended up buying a T400s because I figured I could kill two birds with one stone, and get a replacement main laptop that would also work as my light portable. I wasn't expecting a stellar screen based on early reviews, but I apparently received a version with an even crappier LCD panel. This is literally the worst LCD I have ever seen in my life. A review I read tested it at 98:1 contrast, and there is no viewing angle where the screen doesn't show an extremely uneven gradient of illumination top to bottom. I feel like crying after checking out the photos in the first post here again.
I'm coming back here with my tail between my legs and thinking of eating the restocking fee on my T400s and ordering an X200 if it's suitably priced in Boxing Day sale here. From what I can see, the LED panels are still not feasible to install, and the HV121WX4-XXX is the panel I want to order on eBay, correct?
The X200 is cheap enough that I probably shouldn't be too concerned about warranty, but have any of you guys had any issues crop up? Any chance you could re-install the original panel for warranty service without Lenovo noticing? -
Yes, HV121WX4 is the best screen you can get now to upgrade the X200. I've used my X200 for a year without any issue whatsoever. Regarding sending it in for warranty, it depends on how well you put the screen back, so be careful during the swapping process.
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I've been giving futher serious thought to buying an X200 and performing this mod. I did consider just going straight for a tablet to avoid Thinkpad surgery and voiding the warranty, especially since the overall price is about the same. However, I'm not really sure the tablet features would be of much use to me. I'm also concerned that multitouch is set to explode in tablet PCs this year, and I don't want to be stuck with something that's instantly dated. The multitouch X200 tablet model is impossible to buy right now, and I've also read bad things about it negatively affecting display quality.
I'm also concerned that the LED PVA panels Lenovo uses now just aren't as nice as the original Boe Hydis AFFS LCD. I've used PVA displays before, and while they are a firm step above any TN, the angular colour shifting and other characteristics can get annoying. In particular, this link showing the two side by side just makes the AFFS panel seem that much nicer, though I wonder how much difference there would be with proper profiling.
I can't believe it's got to the point where I'm pretty much rejecting everything Lenovo makes because of lousy LCDs. The quality of the panels they're installing on newer models is appalling. It's especially bad when you consider how some manufacturers like Apple are heading in exactly the opposite direction, consciously installing much higher quality displays in their laptop range. -
I don't believe Lenovo is using any PVA panels at the moment on the X200t. If I liked the trackpoint, I'd probably have a X200/200s with the AFFS. It's cheaper than the tablet and lighter too, not much more than a netbook with much better performance.
As for the screens, none of the ThinkPad screens of yore you seem to be pining for were all that great, except the FlexView of course. They ranged from decent to poor. Last time I checked, MBP were much more expensive than ThinkPads and they still don't offer you a great screen. I've seen a few MBPs. While the contrast was good, the viewing angles weren't there and the glare was terrible, but I didn't see the matte versions. -
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The S-PVA panel on the x200 Tablet (at least the 285 nit LED frameless) is very nice.
I had the x200 for a few months and switched to a tablet because I was thoroughly disappointed with the stock screen quality. I had never used a tablet before and wasn't sure if I'd get much benefit from it. However, I have found the extra flexibility and pen input to be extremely useful. Additionally, the tablet has superior speakers and a dual array microphone compared to the x200.
I personally would opt for the tablet as the price is comparable (to the modded version), the features are great, and the weight/performance penalty is minimal. However, if you're sure you wouldn't benefit from the added flexibility of the tablet then the modded x200 may be a better choice. The display quality will be very slightly better, you have three battery options, and the x200 will be slightly more durable (the tablet has a single reversible hinge and doesn't lock on the sides the same way the other ThinkPads do [the display is flat on both sides]). -
I knew the multitouch used to be PVA, but I was looking through the tabook the other day and it says IPS or FFS for all the screens. I thought perhaps the changed it.
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yesterday, i received my new x200s with a wxga screen. here is a photograph taken of the back of the wxga screen.
this photo is orientated such that the up direction is the same as up for the lid when opened. notice that the socket opens to the bottom of the screen.
this would work with the affs screens, correct?
it looks like it's similar to this: http://www.distronik.de/HV121WX6-100.pdf (page 32). -
I can't argue with you about the price. -
Yes, it looks like everything should work fine with the HV121WX6 screen. This looks promising.
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as soon as i clear up some room on a credit card, i'll order one. expect to hear back from me in a couple weeks!
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You can email me at [email protected] -
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Attached Files:
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compare your pic and the one larz posted. the sockets are different widths. it would need a jumper harness fabricated to work.
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trust me... the connectors are different size.
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I know for a fact that the LED connector in the Samsung PVA panel is the same as the connector in these BOE-Hydis panels, so that means that Lenovo produces an entirely different LCD cable to go with these LED panels. -
i wish it weren't the case. i just happened to catch the photo and didn't want anyone to waste money due to an oversight on sockets.
the quest continues... -
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Sorry if this was covered here before, it takes a lot of time to go through 18 pages of discussion. I noticed that some model of X200t comes with IPS panel LED backlit screens (See, e.g. page 141 http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/tabook.pdf). I wonder if that screen would fit X200/X200s equipped with LED backlit screens (after removing the digitizer). Anyone knows the manufacturer and model number of that screen?
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IPS-Samsung LTN121AP03 Lenovo-FRU:44C9666 or 93P5615.
I think, there´s no need to remove the digitizer (DigiPen),
but the MultiTouch glass must be removed.
It seems, this Samsung has the same connectors as the BOE-Hydis panels.
See pictures in the attach. Is that correct?
I´ve the same problem like erik posted before with the different connectors.
My X200 owns the large connector, therefore i would also need a different displaycable.
To fit the Samsung in a X200 with CCFL is it possible to use following FRU´s for fully functionality:
Displaycable: 44C9991 postet on page 14 by zephir (44C5392 or 44C9909 the same?) Should pinned out correctly for the Samsung-LED?
Clearplate for LED: 45M2812 postet on page 14 by erik
I don´t think, there are changes on the mainboard between CCFL and LED-Version, right?
Is my project possible (CCFL > Samsung-LED)?
thxAttached Files:
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the system boards are the same on all X200 tablets, differing only in processor.
going from CCFL to LED may be possible but you'd probably have to build a jumper harness to adapt the two sockets and their respective pinouts. adapting an X200T LVDS cable might also work if the LED board from the X200 LED models works with the X200T LVDS cable.
there are so many variables that i feel like i need to draw a picture. lol -
Thanks erik for welcome!
I thought the 44C9991 fits on the BOE-Hydis panels without jumper harness?
I´ve already ordered:
FRU 44C9991 LCD CABLE
FRU 44C9909 LCD CABLE
FRU 45M2812 LED BOARD
It seems for me, that at least the 44C9909 has the correct socket.
I proceeded from the following photo:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...Category=31569&_trkparms=algo=LVI&its=I&otn=2
Is this picture wrong or is that not the LVDS cable i need for my Samsung-panel without jumper harness?
I already thought about the X200T LVDS cable:
Too tricky: There is a little plate connected on the X200t board, and then the cables are following.
But inside the X200 there is no place for the plate, it points to the middle and back.
Also the position from the LED-board is different.
Are you sure, that the 44C9991 or 44C9909 don´t fit without modifications on my Samsung-panel? -
44C9909 looks to have the wide connector. you'd need to fabricate a jumper harness to step it down to the small connector and feed the correct pins if they aren't already in the correct order.
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I thought wide connectors looks like the picture in attach...
Thats a X200 NR2FGGE / 7455-FGG with LED-Panel.
Or did you mean two different LVDS sockets by lenovo?
In this case i need also a X200t cable for the Samsung panel-connector?Attached Files:
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Your picture shows a wide connector, which is what the X200 with LED screen has. I've condensed the possibilities as below, hope this helps:
1) X200 with CCFL to AFFS CCFL, no modification
2) X200t with LED to AFFS LED, no modification
3) X200s with CCFL to AFFS CCFL, no modification
4) X200 with LED to AFFS LED, jumper harness required
5) X200s with LED to AFFS LED, jumper harness required
I don't think you can use the X200t LCD cable in the X200, but you're welcome to try. If it fits, then you don't have to make the jumper harness.
Also, some of you may be pleasantly surprised to find that the Enhanced Multitouch version of the X200t has a real IPS LCD made by Toshiba. This has been confirmed by a Thinkpads.com forum member using Everest
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mine is an early model so it's possible that there's either a mix of toshiba/samsung panels out there or all manufacturing after production went to toshiba. i don't know the answer to this right now. in the meantime, it's safest to say that X200T EMT panels could be samsung or toshiba. -
Cool, good to know. Thanks for the information erik.
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Thanks for your quick help, but I´m a little bit confused...
In my case the CCFL and LED connectors (european version?) looks like the same...
I took once a quick look inside the CCFL display, there is also a wide connector. Unfortunately i made no photo of it.
The connectors of AFFS CCFL and AFFS LED are now the same or not? -
the LED tablet panels all use high-density (narrow) connectors. the wide connectors used by the X200 notebooks won't plug in without a jumper harness to step the socket sizes down.
my photo comparison on the previous page shows why this won't work. the large socket is the notebook LED panel and the small one is the tablet LED panel. -
Erik, I´ve already seen it.
That´s also my initial position.
Therefore I would use e.g. 44C9909
Please, take a look:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...Category=31569&_trkparms=algo=LVI&its=I&otn=2
The cable on hinge has 2cm width, it seems on the ebay-foto that the panel-connector has the same wide (~2cm).
My Samsung panel connector measures also 2cm.
I think, presupposed the ebay-foto dont´t lie, it should fit.
This panel-connector looks very different to the normally LED/CCFL wide cables.
But I´m not sure: 44C9909 is a high-density cable or not?
Are 2 different connectors with 2cm width by lenovo possible (e.g. different height or type)? -
edit: nevermind - 44C9909 is for CCFL displays, not LED.
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Sounds good...
I posted the ebay-link already in my second post,
so i wondered up to now why it should not fit
Therefore I asked the whole time so amusingly.
Now i have to wait until my order arrives. Unfortunately it takes 1-2 weeks.
Then i can check out if the pins are in the correct order.
I own also a X200t with the same Samsung-panel to check this.
Thanks Erik for help! -
The 44C9909 LCD cable is for CCFL panels, which means that it only has 20 pins, if I remember correctly. The LCD cable of the LED AFFS panel has 40 pins, with the same width as the CCFL 20-pin cable.
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zephir is correct. according to the hardware maintenance manual, 44C9909 is for CCFL panels.
i guess i just assumed 44C9909 was for the LED panels since bitkiller was pushing it so hard. lol
i updated my post accordingly. -
I searched in my X200t photo-collection, the X200t LED connector has 27 single-cables (FRU 43Y9826), see here:
You be right, therefore it must be the 40 pin collector and my ordered cables don´t fit.
Would be too beautiful, if this mod works without modifications...
Seems, there is no ready to use possibility.
Here is the tablet-connector:
Would it be the easiest way to use the LED tablet cable (FRU 43Y9826)?
The only thing to change could be the pins on the LED-board.
In this case the think-light works not, the tablet has none.
Also it could be possible, that the tablet-cable is too short, i can´t use the X200t plate above in the X200.
In the meantime i think also about to change the mainboard in the tablet from a X200 to get a "power-tablet".
Or should i wait for the new X201tablet?
I don´t need any tablet-functions, but i need a good display (CAD, Corel).
What do you think is the easiest way? -
even if the upcoming X tablet has more power, you'll still be limited by the resolution.
my best suggestion for someone working in CAD and corel draw would be to purchase the X200 ultrabase and an external display. -
The X200(t) resolution 1280x800 on 12" is for my old eyes ok...
In summertime i often work outdoor, for this i need a bright and good display.
The tablet-display is pretty good with removed multi-touch.
But the performance leaves to be desired.
Therefore I wanted the X200 to mod with the Samsung-panel.
I will wait for the new X series, perhaps there is a good outdoor display (IPS) available.
But i dont´t think so. -
Is it easy to separate the digitizer from a HV121WX4-100? Anyone have advice as to how to do this or perhaps a guide?
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Just received my X200 a few days ago. Compared to the screen of my X61, the pixel density of the X200 screen is clearly higher, and the overall color is a bit blue-ish. The view angel is just as bad as the X61 screen =(
Well, let me get to the point. I replaced it with the HV121WX4-120 panel! The matte version of HV121WX4-100, with no digitizer or touch panel needs to be taken care of. The installation is pretty straight forward, I was doing this for the first time and it took me only about 20mins. The view angel of this thing is awesome, and the color is warmer (less blue-ish) than the screen that came with my X200.
Pictures:
Before 1:
After 1:
Before 2:
After 2:
Before 3:
After 3:
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Congrats! Hope you'll enjoy the screen. May I ask where you got the 120 panel? I can't even find details on it, let alone finding a supplier.
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Actually, just found a source of these 120 panels:
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-LENOVO-X200...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563988b471
Apparently it is used in the X200t CCFL variant. Interesting... -
Yikes...that is ridiculously overpriced
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Pictures of X200AFFS-X200 equipped with Flexview screen
Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by zephir, Mar 27, 2009.