x200 and x200s screens

I got a x200, don't like the screen at all. Read the other threads. I know the x200t is IPS but I don't want a tablet really.

Has anyone seen both the x200 and x200s screens other than Andrew?

It could be great if you could compare them. I like using a utility called "CheckeMON" to display gradients of colors, if the monitor has banding or dithering issues it pretty much is evident from careful inspection.

In the case of the x200 the static dithering is plainly obvious. It also clicks the lowest 2-3 black levels into just black.

 

I have an X200 and I find the screen tolerable. Not the best, definitely not the worst. Adequately bright. Sure the viewing angles are lacking, but I don't notice the dithering. Maybe I'm not looking carefully enough.

I suppose you could always take a look on eBay for another screen that would fit the X200 and do the swap. Other than the screen, how are you liking the X200? Pretty solid machine i would say.

 

Sadly most screens nowadays are junk. Other than the tablets, there's nothing out there that's significantly better. It's just the reality of buying a notebook in 2009.

 

Agreed. I'm greatly looking forward to these new OLED panels I see surfacing. Saw one in the Sony Store (I think it was 6" or so) and it was brilliant, although it was $20000. The colors, the brightness, the size (a few mm thick)... just amazing.

 

Give it 3 years then we will be golden.

 

As an electrical eng, who knows lots of people working on organic electronics, yeah I think once OLEDs get here things will be good, when and if they become more viable. Perhaps 5-8 years I'd guess...

I got this x200 so I could travel lighter, but not only the dithering also the viewing angle is TINY. It is bright but really that amounts to washed out colors. If you want to just type and surf the net and work in perhaps computational software then I guess it is okay.

I was planning on using a bigger monitor at work anyway I guess. I'm still pondering it. I got a rather good deal on the x200 so I'm not that upset. My T60's screen was/is actually a lot better.

 

I don't really need more brightness. It's the fallacy of LED screens. Sure they're bright and offer a bit more battery life, which is always welcome, but have the same crappy viewing angles and contrast of CFFL screens. Despite this everyone is lining up to get one as if they're better than the CFFL screens, which they are not. The brightness of my R60 is fine on the upper levels, but the contrast and the viewing angles are poor. That's in my opinion where they can improve LCDs. Even though my screen is only 14", I can't seem to view the screen at the optimal angle for the whole screen. Either the top or bottom is slightly off. Colors are washed out too. It's better with lighter colors. It's fine for what I use it for - a little internet, music, a few office documents, burn a disc now and again, but watching a movie/video on it isn't a great experience.

 

ZaZ I agree IPS would be nice as on the tablets, but a decent TN display can be good enough for a laptop. This one just isn't hold a candle to the T60's display other than raw backlight brightness. I guess I should give it credit decent uniformity (for a laptop) and no dead pixels. Perhaps I should count my blessings. I get a bit obsessive at times.

 

That is exactly the problem here (X200). I wouldn't have said that on my T60 with the viewing angle. I have an IPS desktop dell 20" and it is obviously better but the T60 does okay. I guess that panel was the exception and junk is the rule. I remember tons of people trading in their Samsung panels for an LG at the time of my review...

 

Very nice, I'm in electrical engineering myself. Are you a student or in industry? If you think the X200 is washed about, then you best look away from the SL series, those screen are terrible washed out. Might be the LED backlighting. I really wish Lenovo would invest in their screen a bit more, I'm sure many would appreciate higher quality panels.

 

If you don't like the screen of the X200, and don't like a tablet, then my suggestion is to replace the screen yourself with a IPS screen. That's what I did.

 

True, but where to get the screen?

 

From Gateway 12.1" tablets. They're all over ebay. You just gotta be careful while stripping the digitizer off the LCD. So you really have to be good with disassembling electronics. Most people just get the tablet and be done with it, but a few who want a powerful portable with excellent screen should do it.

 

I'm working on my PhD at Cornell. I'm actually an Applied Physicist, but I have a BS in ECE (and one in Physics, thus the compromise at PhD). I hope I graduate one day...

 

I assumed the mechanical stuff would not line up, so I didn't consider it much. I assumed that the supply for this panel would have an inverter somewhere external and thus the LED x200s wouldn't work.

I'm sure you can order the panels via the FRU. Which part number did you get? Is there any fine pitch soldering involved? Sounds very interesting.

PS: Some are glossy, I would def want matte. Very interested in what part you used, and the mechanics.

PPS: HV121WX4???

 

Very nice, very nice. Now with all that education, I do expect you to design the first stargate.

Does anyone know if there are posted step by step instruction on replacing the X200 screen? I'm actually curious now.

Another question. Saying that one were to go ahead and replace the screen with a tablet version, does this mean that with the correct software, one could actually use the laptop as a tablet? Or is there typically some outer layer that must be applied to the LCD which will provide the tablet touch functionality... I'm not very familiar with the mechanics behind these screens as you can see.

 

Nope. You can't use it as a tablet. The digitizer has to connect to something right? That something is on the motherboard and since you don't have a x200t motherboard you don't have that something...

The interface for the video though like everything else EEs do is standard LVDS. It also seems with a bit of searching though data sheets they are all pretty much 3.3V supplied and everything else is internal.

zephir is correct you can get an FFS BOEHYDIS HV121WX4 WXGA panel for say 200 dollars on ebay (shipped). But at this time I'm not sure you can have any matte panels, and for me that is boo bad. So I've written a bunch of people and I'll see what they say. Hopfully Zephir will come back tomorrow.

You can get some clue as to what removing a digitizer is like here:
http://www.irisvista.com/
tech/laptops/ToshibaM200
/Portege_M200_digitizer_2.htm

I agree with Zephir in that I wouldn't recommend doing this to anyone who doesn't know they can do it. Probably we are voiding our warranties also haha.

Update:

I did find one source:
http://www.smartmicrousa.com/hv121wx4-100-laptop-lcd-screen-12-1-wxga-matte.aspx

260 is steep though.

That claims to be the right thing exactly (I think, though I certainly will wait for Zephir to confirm what panel he installed...)

 

I installed HV121WX4 into my X200. You can see pictures of the screen here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4677562#post4677562

Theoretically, you can have a digitizer on and be able to use your pen. However, that will bulge up the back side of the laptop, since the thickness is much more than that of the LCD alone. The digitizer connects to the LCD itself, and there's no separate connection to the base. However, you should just take it off. This includes taking off the frame of the LCD itself, since the digitizer is securely placed on the back.
Beside that, the connector is exactly the same as the connector in the original LCD, and no modification to the LCD is cable is involved.
Since you're an EE major, I assume that you have enough experience tinkering with electronics to pursue this. I'm also an EE major as well. Good luck.

 

Is the CCFL X200 T tablet a nice screen to look at ? I was about to buy an X200 (s) with 1280 x 800 but with all the problems I read about here well I may just have to buy the tablet though I have no use for the tbalet features...

 

It's almost the same as the screen of the LED version. You don't have to worry about the screen quality. It's just not as bright.

 

Thanks drwho9437 and zephir for the excellent info, I'm now really tempted to start tinkering with my X200.

Zephir, I found the HV121WX4-100 on eBay ($130), but it doesn't mention that it's a flexview anywhere. This screen isn't a tablet, is it? Sorry is this sounds ridiculous, as you can see I'm an absolute novice here. Do you know approximately what the brightness of the screen it? For instance, would it be comparable to the original 200 nit X200 screen? I've actually never heard of Boehydis but I'm willing to take a chance on it - the price seems reasonable enough.

So assuming that this is indeed not a tablet screen, then am I correct in assuming that there is no digitizer hardware included and thus all that I would need to do is remove the original X200 screen and insert the cables into the new screen. No other hardware/software to install/configure? Screw locations and whatnot are all is the same locations?

Thanks again for the help, Zephir!

 

BOE-Hydis is currently the sole distributor of Flexview panels, so you should start getting to know them soon. I saw the auction for the screen on ebay that you were talking about. However, they mention "compatible" screen, which leads me to believe that it is not actually HV121WX4. You should be careful and ask the seller if he is selling the exact screen, especially since there is no screenshot at all.
The brightness rating for HV121WX4 is 200nit.
Flexview screens nowaday all have digitizer, because they are only used in tablets. I was lucky enough to buy a screen that has the digitizer disassembled before hand. However, I was also curious about the LED counterpart so I bought a tablet and disasembled the digitizer just fine.
Everything is at exactly the same place, and you don't have to do any modification at all.

 

Shoot, it looks like it's going to be rather difficult to find a nice, genuine screen. Thanks for the heads up about the compatibility disclosure - very sneaky indeed. Do you know of any other places where I can get a flexview? Or any other suggestions for a compatible screen, perhaps one you ran across while researching the flexview? Perhaps a nice compatible LED screen of sorts? Thanks again, I'll rep you again once I can.

 

The LCD connector of the X200 will only accept CCFL type of screen. I came across a Samsung glossy LCD before, and used it in my X200 for a few weeks. It's much better than the stock LCD. Had I not ran across my current LCD, I would just keep it in there. That's another option for you as well.
But if you really want a Flexview screen, buy a Gateway 12.1" tablet (they're pretty cheap), take out the screen, disassemble the digitizer, and install it into your X200. That's another way to go as well.

 

I will let you guys know, I had already ordered one ebay via bliss, if it isn't the right part I will tell them I want to send it back as the ebay listing is more misleading than the website. Saying compatible screen with some laptop part number is one thing, not saying compatible until the 20th line of your listing and not in the title is another! They have more front companies than you can believe, which makes me think they are very shady.


I think you can get a new one for sure if you want to pay 300 for it, but I'm not sure I'm willing to pay that much as I can get a 22" e-ips from dell for less than 300. True it wouldn't be with me all the time, but a large chunk of my work with this computer would then be on something nice.

I had thought of selling it off simple because the screen is so bad, but really for office work it isn't bad. Matlab, internet, PDF papers, things like that.

 

I guess I should also add that SmartMicroUSA doesn't have the matte in stock, so it might not even exist. Given price quote I believe, I'd guess that the SmartMircroUSA source is a real source of the panel. Also you can get them though Lenovo itself as the FRU for the x200t, but that will cost you 600 dollars I think I've researched this one out now. I will see what ebay (bliss) sends, and report. I fully expect a cheap TN panel that I will have to send back, but hope to be wrong.

 

Definitely keep us updated. I saw the panels for sale from Bliss when I did a search and was definitely under the impression that they are selling a genuine HV121WX4 panel. It would really be too bad if they are being shady...

 

I may know as soon as tomorrow as it is in the mail and I don't live far from NJ.

 

The screen I got from Bliss is:
ltn121w1-l03 -> Samsung. I bet it is better than my screen but I'm not paying over 100 for a screen that is still TN and worse is glossy. Boo, so I'm sending it back to them, after yelling on the phone I hope to get all the money back other than shipping but would not be surprised if they still charge me 20% to restock it. I will let you guys know.

In other news, Dell has 2209WA's in the outlet (as of 3 PM today) for 180 dollars. That's a 22" IPS display. I ordered one to soothe my soul for the lack of an IPS in laptop display. I'm pretty sure you can get one for 300 dollars, but you can get the Dell new for less than 300, and refurbished I hope, for this 180.

 

Great deal for the dell monitor.

 

I think so, so long as there is no panel issue. I shall get to use the built in USB hub as a quasi dock as well... Probably a very satisfactory answer to work done in my office.

 

Dear All,

I just want to mention that I bought HV121WX4-100 screen from Bliss also and product supplied is SAMSUNG LTN121W. The offer they have is very difficult to understand I can say it is not fair at all. I am going to refund the screen. Contacting HYDIS directly, I received one contact. The last communication stopped when I told the contact that I ask just for one screen. From that moment, no response. If anyone have good and reliable source, please provide. Thank you very much.

 

Well my Dell screen is here and lovely. Took my old IPS display to the lab to use as my laptop's screen.

 

Glad to see a happy ending for you
Enjoy that Dell monitor!

 

I figure I will wait for the tablets with the Hydis screen to start dieing and perhaps pick one up as parts in a year or so. Or not. The factory screen is in fact very good for everything but graphics (video/still). Mostly I just write emails, look at plots in MATLAB, examine micrographs, or give/make powerpoints. For all those things this screen works okay... and it isn't glossy

 

Dear all,

It seems that I am sucessfull at last. There is a reseller in Hong Kong selling HV121WX4-110 (digitalizer included) screen at http://www.aoxinhk.com/. I communicate with a guy called Leo and going to place an order tomorrow.

 

And if you look at the label on the top left of the full size image of the package, the HV121WX4-110 is a VIEWiZ model screen. If you look at the Hydis description of VIEWiZ here http://www.hydis.com/eng/07_mis/mis_01.asp, it is AFFS technology. It is NOT Flexview, and is NOT IPS. Hydis has not been using IPS in notebook screens for years. But it is a good testimony to the quality of AFFS, that so many of the experts cannot tell the difference...

 

Most people use the terms AFFS and IPS interchangeably. I believe that AFFS is a superior version of IPS technology. The reference is from here:
http://www.boehydis.com/eng/04_rnd/rnd_05.asp

AFFS provides better white than IPS does, and has increased transmittance.

Also, both AFFS and IPS are called Flexview (obviously because of the wide viewing angle).

 

There's several panels on ebay, if you're wary of placing an international order, I recommend that you go the ebay route instead.

 

I agree, it is a next-generation of the IPS, and a very good panel. But IPS was a next-generation of something else, and the names do change. AFFS uses less power than IPS, and was developed specifically for notebooks. They still sell IPS for desktops, and call it flexview - there must be a reason. I have never seen a side-by-side comparison of the 2, but it would be interesting. But I think we should refer to the screens by the right names, to avoid confusion for users who are shopping around. AFFS is called ViewiZ, IPS is called Flexview. They are similar, but not the same. This came up, because a number of people were disappointed to find that they were not getting the legendary Flexview IPS panels (although maybe something better - go figure...). As long as you know what you are getting, AFFS is a great screen.

 

Dear all,

From CERATOM INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD. I have following quotation:

HV121WX4-100, MOQ=10, USD280

The problem is the minimum order quantity. But I negotiate with another supplier offering HV121WX4-110 model.

 

For the record it would be good to post definitively if the X200s screen suffers from dithering like the X200. Someone who has seen both would be the best to answer this question.

 

The X200s doesn't suffer from dithering. I don't even have dithering with my old X200 screen. The manufacturer of the X200s screen is TMD, and the manufacturer of the X200 screen is AUO.

 

Mine is toshiba... (or at least that is the model number given in the device manager), I though there was only one supplier for the X200 LCD... Maybe that report was incorrect.

 

I just bought an X200s and I'm impressed by its size, speed and the battery life. Nevertheless, the screen is a problem. While the viewing angles and the font size are OK for me, I have a problem with the low contrast, especially at low brightness settings. I use the screen at brightness level 13/15 - which actually too bright for a normally illuminated room. But lowering the brightness makes white areas too dark to be able to read black on white text comfortably. Is that normal?

Furthermore, the brightness is unevenly distributed. There are two strips at the top and the bottom of the screen which are much brighter than the rest, especially at full brightness setting. Is that normal as well?

I really like the machine and would keep it if there is a chance that I just got a (even more than normal) crappy panel which could be exchanged by Lenovo. I would keep it as well if there is a chance to get a replacement screen.

I know that Zephir wrote that it is not possible to use one of the IPS-panels suitable for the X200 in the X200s. Nevertheless, does anybody know about an alternative (better) display available or available in the future?

 

guys, u mean even the x200s (LED) suffer from this problem?

 

Just curious: if you don't keep it, do you mean you would return it and pay the restocking fee? Does it worth it?

 

I might try to sell it on Ebay.

But yes, the restocking fee might even be worth it. I think I can't stand that a late-2008 laptop has a display worse than the one of my four year old Dell Latitude D610 SXGA+, which I already considered to have a bad display. I'm sad.

 

I don't have the X200s, but rather the X200, quality is a problem in terms of dithering but not backlight uniformity or lack of contrast, that said I have no problem viewing it at full 200 nit without it bothering me and certainly apparent contrast is best at full brightness.

If you get a lot of opinions from X200s users that is is abnormal they should change it for you, though I suppose it depends how bad the backlight uniformity problem is if they really will replace it as defective. I suggest you take a pictures of a pure black screen or grey straight on and post it. People will have a hard time telling you if the backlight issue is normal or not without a picture of it.

 

A row of LEDs vs a tube, why wouldn't they? OLED screens won't if they are perfected...