Screen upgrades suggestions for T61p

Hi,
I’ve just ordered a new T9300 from ebay for my trusty T61p and I started to wonder is there any reasonable screen upgrade for it too. I have the 15.4” WSXGA+ Samsung matt display panel and I always envy MacBooks’ and VAIO’s screens.
So, are there any better picture quality options (glossy may be) I can easy fit inside my laptop, please?
Thank you in advance!
Ivo

 

Hi.
I guess LP154W02 (used to be installed in T61 and t61p along with horrible Sams) or LP152WE2 (installed in T500 and SL 500) Both of the same resolution that of 1680x1050 - so they should easily fit into ypur laptop.

Or LP154WP1 - 1440x900, but better angles and brightness.
For specs look here
LCD Panels for Laptops

for screen offers here
LP154WE2(TL)(A8) LAPTOP LCD SCREEN FROM $44. HP ACER TOSHIBA DELL APPLE COMPAQ. Notebook screen, laptop display, notebook lcd, laptop tft, screen DELL, ACER lcd, screens SONY, lcd DELL, ACER lcd.

Good luck!

 

sorry - misprint it is LP154WE2

 

busidor,
Thanks for quick the reply and the links!
LP154WE2 seems to be the obvious and easiest substitute but I understand Lenovo doesn't pay much of attention on the quality of their screens hence may be it's better to look somewhere else.
On the other hand I like my current resolution and don't want to go below that but on the contrary.
Any other recommendations (may be some compatible LED) will be highly appreciated!

 

I think it's pretty generally accepted that the LG screen, 13N7020, is a better screen than the Samsung, though it will be no IPS screen like the T60. This looks like the real deal on eBay.

 

Thank you, Zaz - do you think 13N7020 is better than the suggested by busidor LP154WE2? Is 13N7020 glossy?

Is there some other good quality 15.4" 1680x1050 displays NOT used by Lenovo but which can fit easily inside T61, please?

 

My guess would be yes the LG is better, but I've never seen the other one. I think as a general rule third party screens are of a lessor quality than original manufacturer parts at least where ThinkPads are concerned.

I don't know of any better displays. If you want a really good display, you could sell your T61p and get a T60, which would give you some very good IPS or FFS screen options.

 

Zaz, aren't both displays LG? I suppose LP154WE2 is the newer but which one is supposed to be better?
Under good quality I mean the Macbook pro's and Sony Vaio's panels but I suppose any of them cannot be fit inside my thinkpad although macbook has 15.4" size?

 

The MBP and I would guess the Sony are LED, which was not offered on the T61p. I really think the LG is you're best option.

 

LP 154WP1 - It is CCFL screen previously used in Macs. It has the lower resolution but is brighter - 250 nit vs 200 nit in LP154W02 or LP154 WE2. and angles 120/160.
I read on this forum that somebody installed LP154WP1 into Dell XPS 1530 that is compatible with Lenovo Thinkpad T61 so you are very likely to work it out well.

By the way you won;t be able to use LED - only in T500 where both screens are possible.
As for LP154W02 vsLP154 WE2 - the latter is better as it has the lower response time (15 vs 25) and better angles 110/130 vs 100/130 in LP154W02, while the price is the same if new.

All these screen are LGs

You might also find useful this link - visual guide on screen replacement in Thinkpad, much easier to do than as it is shown on Lenovo web site.

YouTube - IBM ThinkPad T60 LCD screen replacement guide (step-by-step instructions to change display panel)
Good luck!
Busidor

 

The only problem with LP154 WP1 might be with video cable as i has lower resolution than the orginial.

 

You might also check this link for higher resolution LG screen compatible with your laptop, though you might have to change the data cable and/or inverter

LP154WU1(TL)(B1) LAPTOP LCD SCREEN FROM $44. HP ACER TOSHIBA DELL APPLE COMPAQ. Notebook screen, laptop display, notebook lcd, laptop tft, screen DELL, ACER lcd, screens SONY, lcd DELL, ACER lcd.

 

Again great info, Busidor - thank you very much!

I admit I lean towards the LP154 WE2 panel as the easiest option to fit. I still don't know how the higher resolution on 15.4" size will be and definitely I don't want to go with the lower than my current one.

I see though several different versions of LP154 WE2 - (fromA1 to A8) - what is the difference (except matte, glossy) and which one to choose, please?

 

Welcome
In T500 and SL 500 it was A5 or A6. So anything grater than it. I would opt for the latest (hope they make them the further the better)

 

Busidor, while searching the Net for LP154WE2 I saw you were in the same situation as me a year ago. Did you change your screen at the end?

 

Hm, I've just realized there are also B1 and B2 versions of the same LP154WE2 panel. LP154WE2 (TL)(B2) seems to be the Dell XPS1530 screen and is even cheaper than the A8 version:
LP154WE2(TL)(B2) LAPTOP LCD SCREEN FROM $44. HP ACER TOSHIBA DELL APPLE COMPAQ. Notebook screen, laptop display, notebook lcd, laptop tft, screen DELL, ACER lcd, screens SONY, lcd DELL, ACER lcd.

Is it better though?

 

Honestly, I would suggest you go with the a genuine Lenovo part.

 

May be I will Zaz, but we all know the displays are the weakest parts in Lenovo's laptops

 

I've seen a few LG WSXGA+ ThinkPads. I thought they were pretty decent compared to what else is out there, but they will not match the IPS/FFS display on the T60. I wouldn't get too hung up on getting a LED either. Between my X200t and X200, which is CFFL, I think the X200 PQ is slightly better. The downside of CFFLs being worse battery life and CFFL LCDs can dim more over time.

 

Thank you, ZaZ - what is your experience with matte vs glossy, is glossy always with better overall PQ and colors?

 

While, the blue LED white phosphor LCD doesn't dim significantly as compared to the CCFL backlight over the same life span. It does show a clear colour shift (yellowing), which makes it even worse.

@Zaz can you post a side by side image of the x200t with the AFFS X200 that you still got?

 

I think if you're looking at average displays, glossy LCDs look better, but that's because they usually have a better contrast ratio. A good matte screen can be every bit as good as a glossy. You just don't see many good matte displays these days.

 

you got another laptop Zaz?

 

FYI
This might be helpful for screens reference:

TFT display - ThinkWiki

 

Hi. yes I searched for it but have yet to do it, got used to what I have. I thnik any "A" will fit T61. to make sure ask people who sell those screens
Good luck!

 

It seems I did get another ThinkPad.

I did snap some pictures when I got the X200t, but either they weren't that great or you couldn't really tell much of a difference. Having used the X200t for a bit now I'd say both are great displays. The X200 CFFL looks a bit better at full brightness. The blacks are very deep. The writing surface does effect the PQ on the X200t, giving it a bit of a grain. When you push the X200 screen all the way back it darkens more. I'm not sure if it's the gloss or something else. No one would use a non-tablet that way and it has an extremely large sweet spot. It's interesting at lower brightness the X200t seems brighter than the X200. 7/15 on the X200 is the same brightness as about 3-4/15 on the X200t. I also think the X200t looks better at lower brightness levels. CFFL displays can dim more over time, which is also something to consider. The X200t should look the same in three years. The frameless display on the X200t is great.

 

Most of the companies I asked for about "A"s differences didn't reply at all. Screencountry said their LP154WE2 Lenovo compatible is (A6).... They stated (B2) is made for Dell and won't fit Thinkpads.
Now I am researching what the pros and cons are if I go with the higher 1920x1200 resolution. At least there is only one LG option - LP154WU1 TL-B1.
Since I will keep my current WSXGA+ Sammy may be it's better to take and try something with more dpi now...
Unfortunately I read the WUXGA T61p screen is with lesser quality than the WSXGA+ one but I just hope it might got improved with the years

 

Well, good luck with it.
I would buy LP154WE2 (A6) ...

 

I've just ordered glossy LP154WU1 (TL)(B1). I will post comments when I receive and install it.
Thank you all for the support!

 

Welcome
I look forward to your comments on the screens and the process of installation
Good luck!

 

Natzev i,

I'm looking forward to your feedback as well. I recently got my hands on a T61p and would like to upgrade the screen. I was hoping for a good IPS display but it appears the LG WUXGA is the best choice (matte hopefully). Where did you order from and how much did it cost?

 

Well, I received the panel today but the results are quite negative, I am afraid :-( I ordered from Screenaid.com for $124.99 and although I exactly specified the model LG LP154WU1(TL)(B1) and this is what is written in the Invoice also I was surprised to find out in the package some "Made in China" panel with some strange numbers not even close to the model and manufacturer I ordered.
I haven't opened the nylon package since I will return it tomorrow so I can't comment if it's compatible or not.
I am loosing faith now and don't know shall I try again or not.
If you know some respectful place I can order genuine LG screen please, let me know!

 

Hi, Natzev_i

Why nor try screencountry.com? I think you already contacted them and they advised you on the screens compatibility ...

Good luck!

 

The ones on eBay for the most part are not as good as OEM parts. Now there are retailers who'll sell you a genuine part, but they'll be quite expensive. I think you should get the one I linked on the first page of the post, which would appear to a be a genuine Lenovo part.

 

Good question - I almost ordered from them but on checking out the advertised paypal payment option just disappeared for my country (Bulgaria) and I was left choosing between bank transfer and some unknown for me WebMoney method. I asked about the paypal but didn't get sensible reply.
Since I am tired of been treated as a different type of customer I decided to order from another place and.... you know the other part of the story.

Zaz, I see you were quite right now (you always are!) but I just wanted to find something better than the OEM for less money - how stupid I am!

I am in the middle of negotiations with screenaid.com, they still insist they sent me the correct part number, and if I get my money back I may give another try or just buy me a new machine next year.
I will keep you posted.

 

SUCCESS!
I ordered and just managed to install the following 1920x1200 LG LP154WU1 (TL)(B1) screen:
Original Lenovo T61p LP154WU1(TL)(B1) WUXGA LCD 42T0361 - eBay (item 300408615285 end time Dec-13-10 22:32:18 PST)

I decided to listen to Zaz advice and go with the original part. I wanted a glossy version but couldn't found any so I went with the matte one.
I have to tell you the new screen is really gorgeous - it's brighter than my previous Samsung and the higher resolution is so much sharper and cleaner - I really love it!
I have to admit the installation in my T61p was not very easy though. It was not even close to the way described in Youtube about T60. Everything was much more different and difficult - my old screen was even glued to the front bezel with some kind of double side stick which really made much harder the disassembling.
Anyway, I am quite happy with the upgrade. I can't wait for my recently ordered X25-M SSD and additional RAM chip.
Best,
Ivo

 

'I don't know of any better displays. If you want a really good display, you could sell your T61p and get a T60, which would give you some very good IPS or FFS screen options."

Zaz,

You foret that the T60 can accomodate a maximum of 3 GB of memory and the T61P can accomodate 8 Gigabytes. Right now my system is idle and it's using 3 gigs.

Renee