X220 display mod with 12.5" FHD IPS panel from Dell XPS 12 ?

[Puppy]

I'm just reading Dell XPS 12 Convertible review http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Del ... 325.0.html. Interesting part is the display, 12.5 inch 16:9, 1920x1080 pixel, IPS (unfortunately glossy but there might be a glossy layer only). Wondering whether a X220 display mod would be possible using this panel ?

[twistero]

There's only one way to find out.

... Well, actually there are several ways, but they all come down to figuring out the exact model number of the LCD panel. Then we can compare data sheets to see whether the signalling mechanism, power requirements, pinout, mounting points, etc etc. are compatible with X220 panels. Finally we have to hope that the X220 does not lock out non-Lenovo and/or non-native-resolution panels.

[ThinkRob]

Finally we have to hope that the X220 does not lock out non-Lenovo and/or non-native-resolution panels.

That much I wouldn't worry about. There's never been a ThinkPad that's deliberately "locked out" third party screens. The ones that haven't accepted them out of box have usually done so more out of oversight or due to ease of implementation than out of malice.

But yeah, twistero's right: if you can figure out the model and type and find a datasheet then you should be able to see if they're interchangeable on paper.

[sg.leslie]

Hi all, I'm new here, greetings from Singapore. As all of you I'm a proud owner of the x220

The only partial disappointment to me was the screen, and I've be toying with the idea of a screen replacement. Although there isn't a 1660x900 panel which we all hoped for before, i've found more details regarding the 1920x1080 FHD panel, which I assume is the one used for the Dell xps12 announced recently.

http://www.screentekinc.com/LG_Philips-LP125WF1.shtml
You can also google 'LP125WF1', there are many online retailers listing it, so I suppose it's a real part, but none of them have listed availability or price as of now.

I have emailed screentek and hopefully they will get back to me soon.

Also, I noticed that the part number is also similar our panels: LP125WH2 (I assume the H stands for HD while the F stands for FHD?). Since they are from the same maker, hopefully it comes with the same connectors, or at the least similar electrical connections so that we can mod it for our x220. Do correct me if i've made any wrong assumptions.

I'll keep you guys updated when they get back to me.

[penartur]

Judging on the panels being made by the same manufacturer and having similar part numbers, it may work. Screen resolution is the main drawback of X220, so being able to put a FHD IPS panel in it would be great; keep us in touch

[ThinkRob]

Since they are from the same maker, hopefully it comes with the same connectors, or at the least similar electrical connections so that we can mod it for our x220. Do correct me if i've made any wrong assumptions.

The only assumption I'd be wary of making is this one. Connector and pinout often vary from model to model, and while your assumption regarding one screen being a variant of the other seems like a reasonable guess to me, assuming that they will be electrically-compatible does not.

Really you'll need to compare the datasheets of both to know for sure.

[sg.leslie]

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.

Finally got an update to my email a few days ago, as below:

Good day,

Thank you for the inquiry.
Unfortunately, we do not have this part in stock. Also when out of stock the system
pulls the price so we will not accidently place an order. The ETA of this item is about 1
month. If you choose not wait on this item, you may try <snip>.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes-

No stock or prices as for now, so guess we have to at least wait for it to be in stock before we can start on anything.

Found the datasheet for our current screen on the x220 here: http://www.contrepoint-records.com/ress ... 20SLB1.pdf

Can't seem to find the one for the FHD 12.5", perhaps it's too new? Maybe some of you who have more experience in finding this can advice.

Also did some further searching on Google, where I found another case of a FHD screen upgrade for another Lenovo notebook (Y580, here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hardwar ... creen.html) which not only requires a new screen but also a replacement 40 pin LVDS cable as well. Might just be the same for our case as according to the datasheet for our panel, it's using a 29pin cable.

[ThinkRob]

Also did some further searching on Google, where I found another case of a FHD screen upgrade for another Lenovo notebook (Y580, here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hardwar ... creen.html) which not only requires a new screen but also a replacement 40 pin LVDS cable as well. Might just be the same for our case as according to the datasheet for our panel, it's using a 29pin cable.

Uh, no it's not. Or at least it's not according to the datasheet that you linked. The PDF you linked shows a 40-pin cable. Only 29 of those pins are wired, but the cable's got 40 pins.

[ButchDeLoria]

Has anything new been discovered about the data sheet for the XPS 12 panel?

[rsutoratosu]

i just email my friend, a dell shop.. this would be awesome if it fits... ill know in a few hours if he's got them and if I can borrow it..

[ntw1103]

I contacted LG about these screens directly about 3 months ago, but they weren't willing/able to sell just one to me. When I contacted ScreenTek last, they didn't have any in stock, and told me they didn't have any plans to get them in the near future. I can't remember all the other places I called trying to get a hold of one of these screens. If someone does get ahold of someone with the screens, I'd be willing to go in on a bulk order(might be the only way to get them.) Why can't they just make a new computers that have better specs than my aging x201s? -_-

[pianowizard]

Why can't they just make a new computers that have better specs than my aging x201s? -_-

The X201s is quite hard to beat, but did you know about these:

http://shop.conics.net/index.php/cf-sx2jebdr.html
http://shop.conics.net/index.php/cf-nx2jeadr.html

[ntw1103]

The X201s is quite hard to beat, but did you know about these:

http://shop.conics.net/index.php/cf-sx2jebdr.html
http://shop.conics.net/index.php/cf-nx2jeadr.html

Yes, I've come across them, but I'm also picky about the trackpoint. I've considered ordering one of those USB-Trackpoint/Ultranav keyboards and pulling the usb adapter out, and attaching it to the inside of one of those and drilling a hole through the keyboard, but at ~$1800 I'm not sure I can afford to do that and mess up. I guess it depends on the size of the components inside of the usbkeyboard. I should order one so I know.

[ButchDeLoria]

Any news on if anyone has them in stock or if the mod is still feasible?

[ntw1103]

I contacted screentekinc.com, and the person I spoke to said they didn't have the 12.5" 1920x1080(seen in the dell xps 12 duo) or the 12.5" 1600x900(seen in the Panasonic sx-10) LCD in stock and had no idea if/when they would get them in stock.
I'll keep looking, and report back if/when I have more information.

[cc2f]

I've found these FHD panels that are supposedly compatible with the x230. They're the same size (12.5") but is there any reason they couldn't be used in the x220? The x220 and x230 (un)fortunately do not share a HMM.

I've emailed both companies but haven't gotten a response yet.

Lenovo ThinkPad X230 Series 23202EJ Laptop Screen

Lenovo ThinkPad X230 Series 23202EJ 12.5" Full-HD (LED backlight) LCD Screens

*EDIT*
It looks like the x220 and x230 do share a few TN panels (93P5669, 93P5671, 93P5673) meaning a drop-in replacement for the former panels would also be a drop-in for the x230. This also means you could use the "premium" (IPS panel, FRU 93P5675) in an x230.

[bbq]

Mission accomplished by Leokim recently:

http://imgur.com/a/0rIva

Links to original Korean site with that X201 below:

http://thinkpads.kr/xe/index.php?mid=RE ... srl=173817

http://thinkpads.kr/xe/index.php?mid=RE ... srl=174715

It would be mighty interesting if someone could somehow manage to fit that 12.9" 2560x1600 LP129QE1 on the 12.5" X230/X220 while converting 4-lane eDP to LVDS or just tap into the DP directly.

[Cicada88]

Awesome. Bit confused though, will this screen work on the x220 and x230? I assume from the pics that its not just higher resolution but also still IPS (viewing angles look great in the pics).

If this will work on the X220/x230, where is this screen being sold?

[Tom Stall]

Awesome. Bit confused though, will this screen work on the x220 and x230?

Sadly, not really, and that X200/X201 reference is kind of off-topic. These two models had a 12.1" 16:10 screen, and in this case an 11.6" 16:9 panel has been fitted into its bezel (about the same width, but narrower height -- hence the plastic tab above the LCD panel in the pictures). The X220/X230 have a 12.5" 16:9 panel, so even if the 11.6" panel's connectivity is compatible (no idea if it is), you would end up with a much smaller screen that would not hold in place without an additional (ugly) mod to the bezel.

I think I'll follow cc2f's lead and e-mail both LCDs4Less and ScreentekInc for quotes and confirmation that their FHD panel is indeed compatible with the X230 (in which case I'll definitely try to fit one into my X220 -- since their low-res panels can be swapped between X220 and X230, I see no reason why it wouldn't work for a FHD panel). If enough people ask the same question maybe they'll notice.

[yak]

Apparently there are problems with the interface, this screen doesn't use LVDS.
http://forum.51nb.com/viewthread.php?tid=1343342

[600X]

The screen is currently for sale here: http://www.ebay.de/itm/NEW-GENUINE-DELL ... 4088661873

A bit expensive though.

[microwave]

I will try LP125WF1-SPA1 within a few days ( one or two weeks) on thinkpad x220/X230. I have already ordered 1pcs LP125WF1-SPA1 for this modification.

[ctoph0]

I will try LP125WF1-SPA1 within a few days ( one or two weeks) on thinkpad x220/X230. I have already ordered 1pcs LP125WF1-SPA1 for this modification.

thanks for bumping this. I need a better screen in this machine, my eyes are killing me!

[oxf77]

Guys, there any update on this?

I have an x230 and really want to find a higher resolution matte IPS screen to put in it.

[Stevo]

Wouldn't it be quicker and easier, maybe even cheaper overall, to move to the X240 when that's released soon? IIRC that's getting FHD IPS.

S

[Summilux]

Wouldn't it be quicker and easier, maybe even cheaper overall, to move to the X240 when that's released soon? IIRC that's getting FHD IPS.

S

THat would make sense for X230 users, not for X220 ones.

[mrj47]

Any new developments?

I'd be really interested in the x220 with a wxga+ screen or something.. (I like the 16gb and traditional keyboard, new island style is OK but I always hit page up and page down and that gets quite bothersome). The x201 is starting to show its age with its 8gb limit.

[pianowizard]

Any new developments?

I'd be really interested in the x220 with a wxga+ screen or something..

The X220 is 16:9 whereas WXGA+ (1440x900) is 16:10, so it would definitely not fit. However, there is a 12.5" 1600x900 ("HD+") panel that's used in Panasonic's Let's Note NX and SX series, which could work.

[mrj47]

The X220 is 16:9 whereas WXGA+ (1440x900) is 16:10, so it would definitely not fit. However, there is a 12.5" 1600x900 ("HD+") panel that's used in Panasonic's Let's Note NX and SX series, which could work.

Ah I see, thank you for the correction pianowizard. I wasn't able to find much information on the 12.5" panels for the Let's Note NX/SX, but I do see the Dell XPS panels on Alibaba: http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/lp125wf1-spa1.html

I do have a friend out in Hong Kong who might be able to get some clarifications if anyone wants anything specifically asked.

Edit: It looks like leokim is on it: http://forum.51nb.com/viewthread.php?ac ... id=1343342, this guy amazing. I hope he updates soon. English Translation.

[faa8146]

I found a Lenovo document with part numbers for screens to be used in the x240. It includes a 1080p screen, but I have no idea if it's actually in production (I don't see a mention of FHD anywhere on their normal site).
http://download.lenovo.com/parts/ThinkP ... 131008.pdf

Assuming they stuck with LVDS for the x240, I think this screen might actually be a candidate for a swap in the x220.
It's a pretty new screen it seems, there's almost no info on it anywhere. That PDF and Screentek are the only places it's mentioned.
http://www.screentekinc.com/LG_Philips-LP125WF2.shtml

The one in the Dell laptops was a LP125WF1, so this is definitely a different screen.