Help Needed - Clevo 17.3" 4K Thin Workstation Nightmare

For my job, I have had an Origin PC (Clevo rebadge) NT-17S Laptop. Basically it's Clevo thin and light 17.3" laptop, but mine had the i9-9850 CPU, 1070 GTX graphics, and 4K display. My first one had a bad TPM chip, so Origin replaced the motherboard with a motherboard that couldn't read the battery. I sent it back in for service and got it back except they put in a motherboard with the wrong CPU, didn't put any of the screws back in the case, and left a diagnostics HD inside it. I sent it back and they said they would fix it right this time. Now they tell me they cannot get the same board and want to exchange it with a new 17.3" model (basically the exact same chassis), but with a slightly slower i7, a 2070 gpu, but only a 1080p screen. This is my work computer where I really need the higher resolution screen for visualization of CFD simulations and other modeling tools.

They tell me they cannot swap the display from my old machine with the new one, but I don't believe them. One technician told me that they (didn't say who they is) doesn't make the 17.3" thin and light with a 4k anymore, and another one said they just didn't sell well and yes it can be swapped out. Does anyone know what the motherboard model number is in these motherboards so I can track this down or have information to say who's right?

 

You can compare the panel specs of each and look at the eDP pin count. 4k 60hz is usually 40 pins while 1080p 60hz is 30 pins.

 

I would take the trade, and just use the 1080P if it were me. It is unfortunate but, you would practically get a new machine. If they cannot swap your display, what else can you do? request another model that has 4K?

 

Get a refund?

 

They have my old machine and will only ship one back, so I cannot easily compare the two. I have asked about a refund but they haven't answered me.

 

What refresh rate is the 1080p panel?

 

144 hz

 

It should share the same pinout then most likely, so it should be a case of a panel swap between the units.

 

That's what I hope, but I won't have the option to do that since the vendor, Origin PC, has both my original and the new machine and will only send one back to me and will not attempt to swap.

 

I mean if they really don't and it's important to you then you could swap it yourself. It's not too tricky to do and can be swapped back if the unit needs to go back.

 

It may be a problem that they could not get it serviced by Clevo anymore as it would have a non-standard screen. If that is the case they should tell you and find a solution together with you and Clevo.

 

Resellers could panel swap, g-sync is the main factor that can get in the way with some models.

 

I'm not seeing why there is an issue with the screen. Even if the cable is different, they can swap the cable too.

 

In that case it does not look like there is any excuse for not getting that UHD panel in there.

 

Usually yes though that is a fair bit more work.

 

I got the replacement machine in today. Their new NT-17 is a different chassis than the NT-17 they were selling a year ago. The casing around the screens is different, so to panel swap, they would have to do a lot more disassembly. The new machine's screen uses a 30-pin connector and I believe my old one was 30-pin too. Next step is to see if a colleague who is in the office only once a week will let me go frankenstein on his machine.

 

4k is 40pin usually, still the same diagonal size?

 

Yes it is. I know most seem to be 40 pin, but I am certain the old model was a 30 pin one too.

 

Just in case anyone wanted to know, I was able to take mine new one apart and a colleagues slightly older model (same as I used to have) with the 4k screen (a au optronics b173zan01.0). Turns out they both have a 40-pin screen (40-pins on the screen itself), but it looks like a 30 pin plug on the motherboard. Long story short, the old 4k screen does work in the new laptop! The problem is that the screen does not physically fit. The old screen has a metal mounting from around it that looks to be taped on around the sides. The new laptop seems like it doesn't use that same metal frame, making it a little narrower all around. If I were to buy an au optronics b173zan01.0 screen, I wonder if I can remove the frame around it? Even if I can, I need to get the current machine's screen out, which I think it taped on the laptop lid and I'm afraid to pry it out.

 

My Origin EVO-17S looks to be the same chasis as the Sager NP8978

 

The frame mounting would be different but double sided tape could work.

 

So I learned tonight it's the Clevo P970 chasis and the screen it comes with is the Au Optronics BOE07AF. I am certain it is mounted with double sided tape.