W520 Replace Panel with IPS?

Hey there,

Is it possible to replace the W520 TN Panel with maybe this one:
LP156WF3(SL)(B1) replacement Laptop LCD Screen $63.99 Brand-new screens (never used).
LP156WF3-SLB1 Specification & Datasheet download - Panelook.com

I think the W520 has a 40pin Panel Connector and the posted IPS-Panel has a 50pin one -> maybe a Convertor?

The W520 has a 8-bit (?) Panel and the IPS is a 10-bit one (2000M supports the 10bit, but will it work or is there no way to change the 8-bit from TN?)

Impossible ?

 

With enough skill all is possible, but I think it's unlikely. At a minimum to get it to work you'll probably have to make a new cable, which will require a lot of soldering. I doubt there's any converter. erik would be the one who knows. Hopefully, he'll chime in.

 

UPH OEM Cable LCD Cable Converter

Maybe?

 

The IPS RGBLED (LG) screen is ~10-20x more expensive than the panel in your first link. I doubt it's an IPS. Also, even if it's the one and the seller is unaware of how much it costs, you can't put it in your laptop. That converter won't work. You need the one converting a 2channel 50pin LVDS to a proprietary Lenovo 40pin. AFAIK, no such converters exist, but I may be wrong. You could make one yourself but for that you'd need pinouts datasheet on both the Lenovo and LG connectors and it's unlikely you can get that info.

 

Thanks for your reply, but like you said i think thats too difficult (for me) .
I stick with my TN .

 

LSB confirmed that that screen is indeed the exact screen. I really don't understand as there is no way this screen could be found under 100, but if it's true then it's true. Also, these 50 pin IPS screens have no "compatible" versions, so it is a reason.

My question is: there must be someone knowledgeable in this forum who could design a 40 pin -> 50 pin converter. I believe it must need a chip.

Do you think the DIY project of making a 40 pin - 50 pin converter is feasable?

 

I hate to say it, but I too am *very* skeptical that you'll get that exact model. I've dealt with a number of sellers like that, and you'll notice that they talk about "$MODEL_NUMBER replacement" and "compatible" screens. What this typically means is that they'll ship you something with the same dimensions and resolution that's electrically-compatible. It may be the same model, it may not be. In the event that it's a fraction of the cost of the part that you're expecting, it's probably not.

By all means, buy it if you need a replacement screen... just don't get your hopes up that you'll get a several hundred dollar part for just a few bucks; if it's too good to be true... well you know the rest.

 

I don't understand it either. But how can these 10-bin 50-pin panels have any compatible part? It's not possible. But why is he selling it for 70, while it must cost 300-500 for the OEMs?

 

A. Some cash is better than keeping an item around for months (unless, of course, it is a rare antique).

B. As 70 is not a huge amount to most people, you can just go ahead and give it a try.

 

I know for sure that it won't work, it needs really complicated electronics to drive that IPS panel.

On the other hand the Sony SE's panel is compatible with the W520! I might go and make the first IPS W520 machine!

 

Preliminary Googling shows that the screen, while IPS, has mediocre color reproduction. I'm quite satisfied with the current FHD TN panel though.

That said, if the Sony panel has a higher PWM rate and doesn't strobe, I'd be all for switching to it.

 

Have you seen that screen in real? I know all this craziness going on with Envy 15 and SE owners, but that screen is absolutely amazing! Yes, my AUO has 2x bigger gamut, but that IPS screen has extremely stable viewing-angles and is really comfortable to read! For anything except really color-critical work, I'd choose the SE screen any day!

I've started collecting the best panels here, contribution welcome!
PiratePad: bestpanels

 

No I haven't.

I really don't see how far off angle one would try to use a laptop though. I have never encountered a situation where the viewing angles on the AUO FHD was an issue.

My requirements for comfortable reading on a screen is that the text is sharp, and the contrast sufficient, which the AUO accomplishes. That and non-shimmering, which is sometimes annoyingly noticeable on the AUO.

 

Shimmering? Are you referring to refresh rate or banking?

 

Just a very peculiar visual effect that happens under very select conditions on swaths of text. Mostly goes away once I jam brightness to max though. While I'm usually okay with this, a sensitive friend of mine complained that she couldn't use screens a single notch below full brightness without getting a headache, and she said my screen caused the same effect. Hence, my conclusion that PWM was at fault.

 

Thread-bumping is better than starting a redundant thread, right?

So, is the Vaio SE screen really compatible with the W520/530? And if so, is it an easy swap, as in no splicing or soldering?

I know viewing angles aren't the only way to judge a screen, but what can I say...it's important to me. I'd have gotten a Vaio SE or that Vizio CT15 with IPS by now, but I like the Trackpoint above all other mouse devices. Is an IPS retrofit feasible yet?

 

It's the same cable, but the IPS screen is thinner, so there will be a gap. The connector might be in a different position, but there is no way to tell it without having a photo of a SE screen's back.