X1 display on a T430?

Hi,

Laptopmag just did a review of the thinkpad x1 carbon where they praised the 14" 1600x900 matte display saying that it features excellent viewing angles and good brightness. I wonder whether this is another display compared to the one (HD+) used in the T430 as anyone seems to complain about poor vertical viewing angles. Do you know if they are different? If they are different, would it be possible to install an X1 display into a T430/T430s laptop (like getting one from laptopscreen.om when they will be available)??

Thanks

 

My guess is that the connector won't work.

 

Oh it's definitely a different display, I have the ThinkPad T430s and X1 Carbon both with 1600 x 900 res screen and did a video comparison here: ThinkPad X1 Carbon Vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T430s Screen Comparison - YouTube

 

Thanks for the nice comparison. Indeed the X1 screen is much better. If you happen to open up these laptops could you check if the display connectors are the same?? I'm not getting a t430 specifically because of the poor screen (though i don't know how much would cost an aftermarket x1 screen...)

 

Or, failing that, at least what the make/model of the panel is?

 

LP140WD2 (TL)(E2)

I don't think there is anything uniquely special about this TN screen, particularly its connector.

 

40-pin LVDS, right?

 

Right. (Unless Lenovo pays big yuans to have a one-off screen designed and produced for the X1 Carbon.)

 

I can't seem to find a datasheet for that panel, so I'm curious -- do you happen to know what the connector style is? I'd assume it's FI-JH, but who knows...

 

I just got my T430 with HD+ screen, and the viewing angles are quite the letdown. That being the only weak point (admittedly a large one) of an otherwise 98%+ perfect laptop, I'm looking for options. I didn't find that exact screen model number (LP140WD2 (TL)(E2)), but I did find one that's close on laptopscreens, and did manage to find them available for bulk order through a google search. I think it's possible to pry the 430's screen bezel apart. From there I bet swapping the screens would be similar to this tutorial. This review makes me very tempted to try.

 

I doubt that laptopscreen already have that screen. Which model did you look at? Do you know the price of that screen?

 

Note that the HP Envy 14 Spectre and Alienware M14x also had decent 14" 1600x900 TN panels.

 

The Alienware is listed as 12"x7.4" on laptopscreens, same as the T420, so those might work, assuming the right connector. I can't find info on the HP. I'm getting vague references to the Alienware screen being 300nits, so that's an improvement, but this anandtech review isn't encouraging.

I found the LP140WD2(TL)(D3) on laptopscreens (compare to the X1Carbon's LP140WD2 (TL) (E2), which I did find listed here). $55-60 pre-tax-&-shipping. This website lists the (D3) contrast ratio as 700:1 at 270nits which almost matches the X1Carbon's 700:1, 300 nits.

I think I might wait until the LP140WD2 (TL)(E2) shows up at laptopscreens, or give the D3 a try. The E2 has better contrast and gamut than the Alienware, at the same brightness.

 

They are not the same, or "close." Two screens in the same series can differ significantly.

 

That's why I'm not sure if I want to buy the D3 now, or wait for the E2 to hit laptopscreens. The other sources for the E2 appear to be wholesalers, but I could be wrong. Probably be happier if I wait judging by that laptopreviews comparison.

 

I'd rather wait to know more about the E2 in reality and then buy the exact, genuine LG part if I do decide to make a replacement.

 

I found that:
LG Philips LP140WD2 (TL)(E2) LCD Screen, Call for Pricing

Is this the correct screen? One note of caution: it seems that this seller (and maybe laptopscreen too) may also sell refurbished units. Better make sure that what you get is a brand new display.

edit: this display is actually listed by many online sellers so it should be (soon) available. Prices are upon request.

 

^^^ Hmm, I suppose everyone else on this thread has come across that page.

The actual concern is not about "refurbished vs. brand new" but about "compatible vs. genuine."

 

It is the same model number as the one installed on the X1 and apparently that screen and the HD+ screen of the T430 use the same connector. What could make these "incompatible"?

As for refurbished vs brand new, I'd never go for a refurbished unit from those online sellers...

 

Obviously, you don't understand what a " compatible screen" means. (I never mentioned the X1 Carbon nor the T430.)

Anyway...

 

So maybe you could explain? I started this thread for a reason...

 

Let's go through some hypothetical examples.

Manufacturer A releases screen model B-C-D. Manufacturer K releases screen model L-M-N. Manufacturer W releases screen model X-Y-Z.

Legogo happens to use screen B-C-D in the T470. Now, screen model B-C-D may or may not readily available on the market, but vendor Screen4U "determines" that the two screen models L-M-N and X-Y-Z are "compatible" with B-C-D. When a customer orders a replacement screen for the T470, Screen4U will possibly ship B-C-D, but quite likely will ship either L-M-N or X-Y-Z.

That's how most screen vendors do business, and they are open about it. For example, read this. I have absolutely no problem with that.

And that's why I emphasized the phrase " exact and genuine." Unless you understand the above, this phrase means little. For example, when I buy a replacement/upgrade FHD screen for, say, a ThinkPad W520, I insist the screen model to be AUO B156HW01 V.4 and accept no substitute. Some vendors can handle that, some can't.

Refurbished? Many vendors stock directly from the manufacturers, such as Samsung, LG Philips and AUO. The panels are usually brand new.

Finally, when they post something with the note "inquire for pricing," likely they don't have it.

 

Ok thanks but in my situation I don't care if screen4u does not sell me the exact guenine screen. A compatible unit should have the same specs as the guenine ( in our case same specs as the X1 carbon display with 300nits and good viewing angles). Any of these compatible unit would do better than the stock T430 display, no? So basically if the guenine x1 carbon screen can be mounted in the T430, any compatible screen could be as well. Is that correct? Thanks

 

Not necessarily. But it's your money and your eyes.

If I decide for myself that the quality of the screen used on the X1 Carbon is what I prefer ( dimensions and connector aside), I will order the exact and genuine LG Philips LP140WD2 (TL)(E2).

(As I wrote as an example, I will not install any 15.6" FHD screen other than the exact and genuine AU Optronics B156HW01 V.4.)

 

The other thing is that many vendors that sell "compatible" screens simply... don't. They sell screens that they think are compatible, but are not. Some of them are good about determining compatibility, others seem to take the approach of "yeah, the model number looks pretty much the same, so it should work" and then hide behind disclaimers and restocking fees when you try to get your money back.

 

Indeed.

I got stuck with "store credits" a couple of times. Live and learn, I suppose.

(Speaking of "compatible" screens, the T430 has 3 "compatible" screens chosen by Lenovo: LG, Samsung, AUO. Pick one. )

 

Would it be possible to order that screen directly from Lenovo? I guess at a much higher price tag though...

 

Yes on both counts. If it's a FRU, you can order it. Just be prepared to pay a (sometimes very hefty) premium.

 

Yes. But if a vendor, through explicit communication, confirms that the screen I want is indeed exact and genuine, as clearly advertised, like this...



... then I will buy from that vendor.

(As ThinkRob mentioned FRU, I'd like to add that the screen I purchased has the Lenovo FRU code printed on the back, in addition to the AUO product code, hardware revision id, firmware revision id and manufacturing date.)

 

I'd be extremely interested in replacing my screen (T430s) with one from a X1 Carbon if it's possible. I'll be lurking from hereon.

 

As will I. Lurking begins now!

 

I am too interested to see whether this works, if it does it's going in my S430 since that uses the same screen (same FRU) as the t430.

 

Does anyone have any news? I am very interested about this idea. What about the new model of X1 and IPS screen:smile:

 

This thread is about the possibility of putting the screen from the X1Carbon in the T430s. It's not an IPS screen.

 

Could someone explain this further? How does one order items with a known FRU from Lenovo?

Also, wouldn't one order the screen directly from AUO? How does the process work, in a nutshell?

 

No. Unless you plan on ordering, say, 10,000 at once you're not going to be talking to AUO directly.

Regarding FRUs, the times that I've ordered parts directly I've done so directly through IBM: https://www-304.ibm.com/shop/americas/content/home/store_IBMPublicUSA/en_US/parts/parts_main.html

 

The X1 Carbon screen seems to be quite promising going by the Japanese Review [Source: The Hikaku]:

X1 Carbon LG LP140WD2-TLE2





T420 AUO B140RW02 V1





T430 LG LP140WD2-TLD2

 

Great post Hearst. Any info on the 'screen-door' pattern the x1c owners have been loudly unhappy with, over at the x1c forum?

 

But others (including the mods on this forum) have said there is no screen door effects. So it remains a mystery.

 

I'm interressed as well swapping from the samsung to the LG display on my T430s.

If someone find where buy it ...

 

If you want to swap one T430s display model for another, that's pretty trivial, and can be done already. Just search for the t430s samsung display FRU, and buy it off the resellers. An X1C display is a much more tricky proposition.

 

I was of the impression that the Samsung>LG>>>AUO... It seems you want to downgrade... Interested in knowing why you want to make this move.

 

Things are not that clear cut. It is mostly hearsay. Here we hear about screen door, there we hear about graininess, and over there we hear about texts being too small -- while other people dismiss all reports (usually in the form of complaint, which is fine) as "design intent" or "corporate requirement."

I like or don't like what I personally see and feel. I'd give my personal opinion, based on a tiny sample, should someone ask, but YMMV.

 

< nods >

Spot on. This is why I'd recommend -- unless you have cash to burn -- that you try to test laptop displays in person if it's a big deal to you. I have bought various panels sight unseen in the past, but I wouldn't do so if 1) I couldn't return or re-sell them 2) laptop mods/repairs weren't a hobby of mine.

 

I can appreciate those sentiments. This all goes back to eyesight, attention to detail, and then subjective interpretation. BTW my eyesight is 40/20 on the right and 25/20 on the left, so I would be one of the those that (c)would notice the small things... However, I am also one that uses the computer as a tool and takes the full package into consideration. Hence my T430s purchase, knowing that the screen would not likely to wow me... I was just curious about the poster's experience, and what predicated the desire to move to the LG...

 

Sorry guys, my post lack information. X1C have a LG display, that's the one I want to swap to.

The hardest step (for now) is to find a supplier for the display. Then we test and see if it work or need additionnal "tuning".

Ho, and I want to try to swap the screen because. Ba. It sucks. Not so bad that I cannot use the laptop, but I've very good eyes and like precise screen, I found this one a little blurry, verticals angles are annoying (you can't get the same color on every part of the screen at the same time) and the contast when I put the backlight at minimum level is *awful* (which I do a lot as I like work in the dark ).

If there were a correct alternative to a light (<2kg), solid, linux-friendly, customisable, ethernet-stuffed, 14 inch or more display (1600 minimum, FHD for 15") with a very good mate screen, with a good keyboard, I'll go for it. But there is none. Or no more. I owned a dell latitude z600 which was near perfect (not so good on the keyboard, but passable) on all of this for a 4 year old laptop, too bad they discontinued them

 

Had a bit of a breakthrough today, by traveling to a whole bunch of computer stores in sequence, and comparing screens. I did see a slight giddiness on the X1C, it wasnt a uniform screen-door effect, but rather these very subtle but visible vertical lines between pixels. Some rather excellent screenshots of it have been captured in the t430s thread, so yes, T series does have this issue, but, unfortunately so did the X1C I saw. The color, richness, and viewing angles were indeed quite good. Still, at the end of the day, the panel was still not as good as the TN they put into the w530.

Now, I took this opportunity of having 40+ laptops before me to examine each of their panels. If X1C doesn't turn out to be the most ideal solution, then surely somewhere here I would see better candidates right? Wrong... all of the other 14" laptops were absolutely abhorrent, and some even more so. Yes, thats pretty much the whole PC industry. I didn't get a chance to observe high-end Alienware and Sagers and the like, but all regular-consumer 14" inchers except one absolutely stunk.

What is this one exception? The Samsung Series 7 14", np700z3b (the store didnt have the IB refresh whose model is np700z3c).

I opened a thread about it over in the Samsung section ( link because we need to find out its panel part num#:

EDIT: going back to the x1c: from sites like laptopscreen.com we can see that they sell two variants of its panel: glossy and matte. And no one has seen a glossy x1c screen in real life, so its puzzling.

Then it hit me: maybe the problem isn't with the x1c screen but with the matte coating? The laptop manufacturers probably sit there wondering what the consumers are upset over, while to us it's perfectly self-evident. Could something applied in post-production like the matte coating result in this unpleasant effect?

Maybe that's why no Mac models suffer, because they never bother to put matte on their screens! If this is true, it follows that if we get a glossy X1C panel (not found on any actual x1c), it may not suffer from griddyness problems.

 

^ I am willing to bet that you're right. In fact the Sony Vaio SA13 was also plagued with the same issue. The overly harsh matte coating created a whole host of problems. Going matte always seems to mean lowered visual fidelity on a screen.

Going with the glossy X1C screen would probably fix all the problems, but it's just not worth the eye strain from all that glare imo.

 

I can attest to that from my experiences with T/W520 AUO FHD (V.4) matte screen and its brother (V.7) glossy screen. The V.7 is much better, and its glossiness is very subtle and minimally reflective.

Looking at one, right this moment. No glare, no eye strain.

 

Did you ever own one of the 12.1 WXGA BOE-Hydis AFFS displays? They had a glossy model that sounds like that, and I was wondering how they compared in terms of the glossy/matte difference.