Thinkpad T400 --upgrade to LED screen?

When I bought my ThinkPad T400, LED-backlit screens weren't available in the U.S. market, so I went with the WXGA+ CCFL screen. Six months later, they were available. I was disappointed but sucked it up.

My T400 is now out of warranty; I'm thinking about replacing the screen with an LED-backlit one. Is it just a panel replacement, do I need a different display inverter, flex cable, etc.? If anyone knows what parts are required, I'd really appreciate it. Right now I'm just exploring my options, but if I can do it within what I believe to be an acceptable price range, I'd probably be interested.

 

Lenovo Support & downloads - 14.1 inch WXGA+ (1440x900) LCD service parts - ThinkPad T400 and R400

you'll need the following parts:
- LCD bezel (#1) 45N5858
- LCD cover (#2) 45N5845
- LED display cable (#6) 44C5364
- LED sub card (#8) 42W7968, 42W8017, 42W8231, or 42W8229
- LED display (#10) 42T0498 or 42T0504

edit: i updated the list with FRU numbers after looking at your profile.   you'll have to research LCDs to figure out which of the two FRU numbers is better.   the LED sub card has four manufacturers so any of the listed FRUs will work.   the display cable listed is for an LED panel with BT and camera.

instructions for your system can be found here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-71461

 

Are you sure you want to go through the trouble of switching? I have a CCFL WXGA+ screen for my T400. Although an LED screen would give me more brightness for less power, I think the contrast and color of my screen is pretty good. I compared it with a dell E6400 WXGA LED screen once, and I thought the LED screen had duller colors.

 

Look on eBay. I just did the upgrade myself, listed in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/515113-t400-cffl-led-refit-first-impressions.html

The cost of all the components came out to be $285 shipped. Actually, the display bezel needs to be replaced. There's also a different display lid FRU, although I didn't use it. I suspect it'll make the system just a hair thinner, but everything seems to fit perfectly without it.

Read my thread pretty carefully before going for this upgrade. If you're comfortable with opening up notebooks it's not going to be extremely difficult, but just go slow and make sure to organize your screws and you'll be okay. I had to reseat the display cable several times due to it pulling itself out of the connector.

In hindsight, unless you are really dissatisfied with your current display and have the cash to burn for the upgrade, you might be best off sticking with a CFFL. I enjoy mine, but since I finally gained a working Thinklight out of the upgrade as well as the display I don't have many regrets.

However, I will admit there may have been better ways to do my spending, as I may be taking a look at what's coming out after Sandy Bridge gets released. If the offerings and prices are attractive enough, I may look ino upgrading.

If you're ready to pull the trigger, here's an ebay link to the seller who'll offer the complete conversion kit: eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

Many people here in the forum complains about the lenovo screens. I do remember however the high praise the T400 high nit display received. I wonder why Lenovo does not offer it anymore for the T series thinkpads.

I too have a thinkpad T400 with the CCFL WXGA+ but its warranty is still valid but when it doesnt I'll try to buy the T400 LED version on ebay instead of changing the parts myself. The difference in price is no that much.

 

The 600-nit display was apparently pretty well-received, but it is the lower 1280x800 resolution rather than the 1440x900 displays; I know I like the higher-res display. The one I linked the eBay auction to is regarded as the best 1440x900 LED display, but it's significantly dimmer than the 1280x800 high-nit panel.

 

Hi Lonewolf!


Some technical people enjoying doing the work themselves....

Renee

 

I'm going to evaluate the cost, first.

The big thing is, I like my T400. Notebooks are in a number of ways going in a direction I'm not sure I like (e.g., 1366x768 displays, nVidia graphics instead of ATI). I have the technical savvy (I've upgraded the RAM, HDD, and processor in my T400, and have done far more with other vendors' laptops, such as display inverters, webcams, wifi cards, etc.). My notebook with its new T9600 processor is fast enough for my needs.

I have nothing wrong with the current LCD panel, and it truly isn't bad. However, my eyes aren't getting any younger, and a bit more brightness would be nice. I'm sure I can sell the old LCD off to a T400 owner who has a WXGA display, since it should be a drop-in replacement. If I can do it in the $200 ballpark, it would be worth it for me, the key is just making sure I know what parts I need before I start, rather than guessing and then finding I need a few more once everything is in pieces.

Erik, I appreciate the parts info. I do need the cable with bluetooth and camera. It appears I can get an LG replacement screen for about $120-130, and then I'll need to look at the rest of the parts. I did see IBM/Lenovo's FRU link, but wanted clarification on parts I'd have to have, and that helps.

Legendary, thanks for the link to your thread as well. I think it's time to look into this further.

 

The LED screen conversion is certainly an interesting project, just like LegendaryKA8 I also did this but upgrading from the WXGA CCFL on a R400 instead. You can actually view the results of the R400 upgrade (using the LG panel) from our previous posts here and make your mind up if it's worth the hassle.

I did the project from the ground up and had to order the following:

LCD cover kit for LED-backlight LCD - 45N5845
Wireless LAN/USB antenna kit - 44C9964
LCD magnesium structure frame assembly - 45M2613
LED-backlight LCD cable assembly without camera, with Bluetooth for T400 - 44C5365
Hinges - 43Y9643
LED Sub Card - 42W7968
Bluetooth daughter card (BDC-2.1) - 42T0969
LCD panel, 14.1-in. WXGA+, LED-backlight - 42T0498
Clear plate kit (R400 FRU so irrelevant)
T400 Screws Kit - 45N5865

Erik told you all the parts you need to coincide with your existing parts which gives you a nice head start. They also provide some pretty strong adhesive tapes with some of the kits too which is recommended for holding the LED cable assembly in and the wireless antennas to the magnesium frames. Problem is peeling them off and trying to reapply will make them ineffective/worn so you got to stick it on correctly first time for good results.

 

i find that after using the LED LCD for a while, there is a clear colour shift as it ages.... which is annoying.. i have sent my X200 and couple of friend's Thinkpads for this problem.

 

This is very true. I'm definitely trying to resist the inexorable march towards the 16:9 display form factor, as well as the fact that I was affected by the Nvidia G84/92 GPU failures. The fact is that for most general usage, you can still get by with far older hardware. My only real reason for upgrading all along the way is for my penchant for light/moderate gaming; if it wasn't for the 'loose GPU issue' I'm pretty sure I could have relied on my old T42 for getting myself through 3-4 years of business school. Office and Internet use isn't all that taxing, and my T21 could probably still do most of it.

The only reasons I'd have for upgrading is better gaming performance, and my burgeoning interest in 3D modeling apps. Like I said, if the Sandy Bridge revisions don't offer anything anything insanely revolutionary I likely will hold onto my T400. If they go to 16:9 displays on the new T-series, I'll likely not upgrade, either.

 

Is this move to the 16:9 displays imminent - at least for ThinkPads?

 

that would be most people's educated guess given the situation of other comparable business laptops moving to that format.

So i guess with that the T410 is a worthy buy with the nvidia equipped optimus version supporting up to 4 LCD through the docks.

I will probably get a T410 with the optimus technology now. I really don't want have to get a 16:9 inch LCD T4xx for as long as possible. The T410 should be good for up to 2 to 3 years, before i need to upgrade again.

 

Hmmm....ok...yes, that is something to think about. But eventually, I guess, we will all have to get used to the 16:9 LCDs.

Is this new T410 with the optimus tech already on the market in the Asia-Pac markets?

 

yes i will hold out as long as possible, but i eventually will capitulate to the market reality, because there is no other alternative if i want a new laptop.

Haven't seen the Optimus model yet, but it will probably be ready for release to the global market within a short space of time.

 

I got the LED LCD on my T400 and it's just gone out of warranty as well. However, I can't imagine there being a huge difference between the regular LCD and LED LCD screens...