T520 - LCD Panel swap

Ever since getting my T520 with the HD+ screen I have been curious to see what the FHD screen is like. Today, I played around with changing the DPI settings and hitting CTRL +/- zoom for several applications such as IE, Word, PPT, etc...

In every case I was happy with the way things zoomed in or out. As such, it made me realize that I should have gotten the FHD. Even though I'm happy with the HD+, I think that I can live with (and enjoy) the extra resolution and fine font since the scaling and zooming works really well...

Here's what I'm doing...

I ordered the FHD LCD panel from a member on Thinkpad forums and am going to swap it with my HD+ panel. I know that it is a direct plug and play type of thing - and it should be a very simple install.

Just to be clear - this voids my warantee, right?

I'm also wondering what use I could get out of my old panel? I don't have another 16:9 laptop, and it's probably not worth much. Any ideas? I would like to do SOMETHING with it, but don't have any ideas.

 

Yes, the display is not a customer-replacable unit as defined by Lenovo, and will void your warranty if replaced. I would suggest keeping your old display in the unlucky event that you do need to send your T520 in for warranty service. After your warranty expires, you could try selling the panel.

 

Hmm....what if I got an authorized service provider to do the swap?

 

Just wanted to say that I received my FHD 95% color gamut LCD panel and have successfully swapped it into my T520 that originally had the HD+ 1600x900 panel. It was a direct swap, just plug and play.

The FHD screen is made by AU Optronics model B156HW01 v.4, FRU 04W1544.

The swap was very easy to do and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to upgrade. It is brighter, has better viewing angles, and the colors are much more vibrant and warmer than the other one.

I also find that the FHD resolution is perfect for this sized screen (although this is subjective). The text is readable (to me) and the extra space is welcome. In fact, I don't even need to change the DPI settings or whatever like I was anticipating. Also, I find that I no longer use my 27" external monitor with the same resolution! I'm actually thinking of picking up a new external monitor with the 2560x1600 resolution.

If anyone needs help with the swap just PM me and I'll help in any way I can. Now my T520 is complete.

 

Hi, I want to replace my HD+ by FHD on T520, so I'm in the same situation as were you. Could you advise me where can I find FHD display ?
Thanks

 

why don't you sell your pc and get another one with the screen you want? much less headache, i bet!

 

It's actually not a headache. The process only took 20 minutes and is very easy to do.

I couldn't afford to sell this one and then order another one and wait 3 weeks for delivery. This is my only computer right now so I can't let it go for even a day!

 

Hi,

I'm also considering an upgrade of the LCD display and would to know are there any stickers I should broke which could be used as a clue for canceling the waranty?

Thank very much you in advance!

 

Does anyone know what the differences between the different versions of the AU Optronics panel are (B156HW01 V.4, B156HW01 V.7, B156HW01 V.0)? Are all the versions compatible with the T520? I'm planning on getting the V.4, just to play it safe, but I feel like I might be missing out on a better deal (or better brightness or better contrast) by not including the other versions in my search.

 

hey, how can I tell the manufacturer and s/n of the panel without opening up the guts?
if it is relevant at all, mine's the FHD display

 

Everest Home Edition will usually provide a readout of this data.

 

gracias.
(now I gotta fill it to 10 characters)

 

I'd suggest you get the Microsoft's EDID Viewer ( here), its a nice program to have (small too (104 kB)).

 

cool. thanks

 

Hi CanadianDude, I'm very interested : I have bought a T520 with normal HD (1366*768). The computer is great, but the screen is very poor quality. Especially for photography work. If I focus very close to the screen, I can see the pixel "grid"... Very bad compared to previous laptops I had!

I would like to replace my HD screen by HD+ or FHD.
1° Is it possible ? Do I need to change the screen only, or also some graphics card, etc. ? HD to HD+ is possible ? HD to FHD is possible ?

2° What about warranty (my computer has (1-day service) warranty until 2015 so I don't want to loose it)

3° Where to find the new screen ? What price for such a HD+ or FHD screen?

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

I believe the "v.4" vs "v.0" has to do with the color gamut. Based on what I have read on other forums, the "v.4" means the 95% color gamut, whereas the "v.0" doesn't have that. Lenovo used the v.4 version so I stuck with the same one.

 

It's definitely possible to change the screen. You do not have to change graphics cards. The standard Intel graphics can support the FHD screen so no problem there.

HD+ and HD to FHD is possible, no problem. The connector is all the same.

Since this isn't a typical user-replaceable procedure, the warantee will be void if you do this yourself.

I found a forum member who had extra screens from Lenovo. I don't think he has anymore left. I'm not sure where else you can go to get a genuine Lenovo panel, sorry. I paid about $200 for it.

 

Thanks! I've since found the v.4 version readily available here, so I think I'll just get that too.. probably easiest

 

Hi, Thanks for your answer!
Have you seen the difference between HD+ and HD ?
Maybe HD+ would be enough for me.
Does it have a good gamut for photography?

If so, have you sold your HD+ yet ?

THanks

 

Another stupid question : when we change the LCD, does this mean that we change ALL the screen part (including the black borders and the back cover/housing), or just the LCD screen that is in the black housing ?

 

No, you don't change the whole black part or black borders, just the LCD panel.

I originally upgraded from HD+, and the difference is noticeable, but not a huge difference. Going from HD to FHD (1366x768 to 1920x1080) will be a huge difference. The HD+ screen was not bad. It had good color, good enough resolution, and good clarity. I'm not sure if it's good enough for photography but it depends on what you mean by photography.

Are you a professional photographer who relies on accurate color? Then you should get FHD. If you just take pictures for fun, the HD+ will be good enough and if I was forced to use it, I would still be happy.

If you can find the HD+ screen for cheaper that would be a good choice. I sold my old one already.

 

Ok thanks for these informations!

Do you think there is an official shop for Lenovo parts ?
(where I could buy a new LCD panel).

By the way, about warranty, in the case I have to send my laptop to warranty service, maybe then won't notice that the screen has been replaced by myself, don't you think so Is there a "seal" that you break when changing LCD panel ?

 

If you get the part number for the screen you want you could look on eBay or here for people who are selling these screens. Another good place to try is ThinkPads.com forum.

 

Does someone have the part number for HD+ screen of T520 (15")?

Thanks!

 

If you look on the official Lenovo Support site ( here), you'll see that the FRU of the screen is either 42T0743 or 93P5681. The manufacturer's part number for the 42T0743 is LP156WD1-TLB2, I'm not sure about the 93P5681.

UPDATE: The manufacturer's part number for 93P5681 is LTN156KT02 ( here)

 

How to know if I should choose:
42T0743 --> LP156WD1-TLB2
or
93P5681 --> LTN156KT02
?
--

I can find these parts on ebay, but I don't know if it is genuine Lenovo part or generic LCD panels ?

--

For people who have a HD+ screen : is it good quality ?, can you see the pixel grid (some sort of grey grid when your eyes come close de the screen) ? That's my major problem with my "HD only" screen : I can see the grid

 

Hey CanadianDude, could you provide a quick description of the swap? Is it just a matter of removing the display bezel, unscrewing the LCD panel, lifting it and disconnecting the cable from the back (and then the reverse for putting in the new panel)?

The Hardware Maintenance Manual makes the swap look a lot more complicated than this... there it looks like I'd need to remove more than just the panel (things like the LED Board and so on).

-edit- Never mind, found a vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3vaSuYHziM

 

What about replacing the screen on an L520 laptop?

I'm considering buying one of these on ebay and replacing the screen for a FHD one. Since the HD and HD+ screens seem to be the same used for the T series, I understand a T520 FHD screen would fit into an L520, right?