T480s FHD screen to QHD screen upgrade - log & step-by-step guide

[iamdmc]

After a few months of using the low-brightness FHD panel that came with my T480s, I recently upgraded my T480s from its original BOE FHD screen (FRU LEN40A9, part number NV140FHM-N46) to the AUO QHD (non HDR) B140QAN02.3 (FRU 00NY681, part number B140QAN02.3). I found a reputable seller on ebay (ThinkPad2015, in the UK) and bought the panel for 80 Sterling pound, and the QHD 40-pin eDP cable for 20 Sterling pound + 5 pound shipping.

I'd considered getting the AUO HDR model B140QAN02.0, or the LG non HDR model (FRU 00NY664, part number LP140QH2(SP)(B1)) which was featured in the X1 Carbon 5th gen, BUT I couldn't find any reputable sellers for it - only china sellers with stock photos, no replies, aliexpress, etc - and I wasn't willing to take the risk. The only better screen than the AUO panel I bought or the LG non HDR panel, is the LG QHD HDR panel found in the X1 Carbon 6th gen. The steps below apply to all QHD models.


Panel comparison (numbers from notebookcheck reviews)

* AUO QHD (upgrade installed) non-HDR panel: 96% sRGB, 61% adobeRGB

* LG QHD non-HDR panel: 98% sRGB, 68% adobeRGB (the HDR panel has nearly 100% sRGB & adobe RGB, and is about 100 nits brighter)

* BOE FHD (original) panel: 59% sRGB & 38% adobeRGB


Full AUO QHD panel review available from notebookcheck's review of the ideapad 530: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-Id ... 662.0.html

Photos of the process: https://imgur.com/a/RankYYW

Step-by-step:

1. power down your laptop, remove USB C charger

2. press power button, followed by F1 to get into BIOS

3. in BIOS, find power options, then Config, then "Disable Built-in Battery"

4. Close laptop, lay face-down, unscrew 6 screws from bottom side

5. use plastic pry tool or finger nails to pry bottom panel off laptop, starting from the back. The entire panel hinges on 3 clips on the front side of the laptop.

6. unscrew 4 screws from battery, then gently disconnect power connector, and lift the battery toward you. Set aside

7. open laptop, lay flat

8. using pry tool or fingernails, pry off front bezel from screen, starting at the bottom. I used a small screwdriver to help me push out the clips

9. use a hair dryer on medium around screen to loosen adhesive (if you blow it on your hand it should feel warm but not uncomfortable) then pry front bezel from screen. You can reuse the double sided tape (but be careful when pulling off as it's fragile/will break into pieces, and also coils once fully removed)

10. remove 4 screws holding FHD panel into frame. Be careful not to pull, as it's still connected by a cable to the motherboard

11. angle out the screen, lay flat, then remove LCD cable (there is a clip to remove, then gently detach cable)

12. loosen 2 screws that hold hinge to LCD lid

13. turn laptop over, find LCD FHD 30-pin cable part that plugs into motherboard, gently remove, and thread through clips

14. attach LCD QHD 40-pin cable to LCD, securing with clip. Thread the other end through the hinge and to the motherboard. Attach motherboard end to motherboard, threading cable through clips

15. screw hinges back down to LCD lid

16. my QHD panel did not come with the frame to screw the panel to the lid, so I used electrical tape and made a loop to make it 'double sided'. I made a few 'loops' and placed them in each corner, in the top middle, bottom middle, and exact middle of the screen to hold it into place

17. set QHD screen down flat, and try to fit the bezel back as centered as possible.

18. before reinserting the QHD LCD screen with bezel back into the LCD lid, and clipping things back together, test the monitor for dead or stuck pixels and abnormalities. You'll need to reconnect the USB C charger for the laptop to power back on. I used https://www.eizo.be/all-monitors/access ... itor-test/

19. if the monitor looks right, clip the panel back in.

21. To get the best colour calibration without professional calibration tools, you can use notebookcheck's .ICM file, available at the link: https://www.notebookcheck.net/uploads/t ... AN02_3.icm. To load the profile, press the start key on the keyboard, and type "Color Management", then load the file both in standard and advanced color ICC profiles. Make sure this is the only profile so it is set to default. I noticed a big difference here.

21. make sure the laptop screen is displaying at 60Hz, and Turn off "Display Power-Saving Technology" in Intel UHD Graphics control panel (right click desktop, select "Intel graphics settings" to get max brightness

22. adjust cleartype settings to your liking - press the start key on keyboard, type "cleartype", select "Adjust Cleartype text"

That's it! A lot of little steps and ~1h later you're ready to enjoy your new screen.

T480s FHD (BOE panel) compared the T480s QHD (AUO panel): https://imgur.com/a/TpZnH2y

My impressions: it's noticeably brighter, sharper, and has much better colour reproduction. I'm re-selling my FHD screen and 30-pin eDP cable, and hope to make about 60 Sterling pound off of those, making the upgrade cost about 45 Sterling pound + 1 hour of installation + about 5 hours of research (which you don't have to do if you use this guide unless you are a geek like me and like reading about it)

Hope it helps someone who's also looking to upgrade from FHD to QHD on their T470, T480, T470s, T480s, X1 Carbon 5th & 6th gen.

Other useful links to determine compatibility of parts:

* https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/
* https://thinkpads.org/fru/?t=T480s (if other T-model, replace "T480s" with your model)
* https://thinkpads.org/fru/?t=X1Carbon6thGen (if 5th gen, replace "6th" with "5th")
* https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... h_to_wqhd/ - post that inspired me to make the upgrade
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBCvGgZoeE video of T470s screen removal

[iamdmc]

Reserved

[Klagio]

Fantastic guide, thank you very much.

I just got myself a t470s with a FHD non touch panel, and wish to do the upgrade. Your guide is for the t480s, you know if for my t470s is different, or should be similar?

And now the most important question is where to get a proper display: for my t470s can I get the same panel you got?

[Klagio]

other quetsion, will the (seems superior) QHD HDR work?

[colinwill89]

great guide, thanks

[kalasalama]

has anyone managed to fit a 4K display to T480s without problems?
if so, which display panel did you use?

some guy did this on reddit, but apparently the panel didn't fit properly
https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... 0s_4k_mod/

[mvan]

Thank you for the guide. Looking forward to do this myself soon!

Regarding mounting points, on panellook.com it appears that the earlier editions
B140QAN01.1 and B140QAN01.5 do have mounting holes in the right spots.

They do have slight higher power consumption though:
3.5W (Typ.) for the 02.3
4.4W (Max.) for the 01.5
5.49W (Typ.) for the 01.1

[mvan]

Just done this with a B140QAN01.5 screen.
Couple of remarks:

- The vertical distance between the mounting holes is about 1-2 mm too large on the screen.
So I only use the screws on the top of the screen.

- The connector is on the new screen about 1cm closer to the hinge. I cut some of the plastic ridge in the lid to make room for the cable.

[kingtriumph]

Hey all,

I know this is a reply to an older post, but I'm hoping someone might see this and have an answer anyway.

I just purchased my first ThinkPad - a T480. However I accidentally ordered it with the HD screen instead of the FHD screen. I'd like to upgrade the screen to FHD if possible... does anyone know if it is possible to go from one of the HD panels to a FHD (or even QHD) panel? A lot of the third-party panels I've seen for sale state that they are meant to replace a panel of the same type and will not work as an upgrade from a different panel. I somehow doubt this is true, but I'd love to confirm it before I spend the money on a new panel and the time to perform the upgrade.

I appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

[iamdmc]

as long as it's a 30-pin eDP screen you can run the 720p HD, 1080p FHD in it with the same cable

for the 1440p QHD screen you need to buy the 30 pin motherboard to 40 pin edp cable which costs about $25

note that the FHD screen screens in the recent gens SUCK - the T470, 480, 490. Either buy an older screen or just spend the extra few dollars on the QHD imho

good luck

[silversurfer17]

Thank you very much for your guide, iamdmc! I actually registered in this forum just so I can express my gratitude.

Yesterday I installed an LP140QH2-SPB1 into my T480s, replacing the awful FHD touchscreen that came with it. The colors of the default display panel were really bad, it had very low color coverage. The touchscreen option, although practical at times, was not really necessary for me, I figured I'd rather get a more quality panel with a higher resolution.

I ordered the LP140QH2-SPB1 from ebay.de (I live in Germany) from a local shop for about 100 Euros. And a 40 pin edp cable from AliExpress for around 10 Euros.

I followed the guide and voila - I have a brand new much better looking display. This same week I also replaced my trackpad with the one from the X1 Yoga 3rd gen - also a great upgrade, since the X1Y's touchpad has a glass type surface. It resembles the Macbook Pro touchpads. You can find more information about it easily. it's a post in reddit.

With these tunings, the laptop has become much more comfortable and pleasant to use. And I got the joy of tinkering a little bit with the computer

I am very pleased with the result. Thank you once more for your time and for sharing this guide with us.

[iamdmc]

Thank you very much for your guide, iamdmc! I actually registered in this forum just so I can express my gratitude.

Yesterday I installed an LP140QH2-SPB1 into my T480s, replacing the awful FHD touchscreen that came with it. The colors of the default display panel were really bad, it had very low color coverage. The touchscreen option, although practical at times, was not really necessary for me, I figured I'd rather get a more quality panel with a higher resolution.

I ordered the LP140QH2-SPB1 from ebay.de (I live in Germany) from a local shop for about 100 Euros. And a 40 pin edp cable from AliExpress for around 10 Euros.

I followed the guide and voila - I have a brand new much better looking display. This same week I also replaced my trackpad with the one from the X1 Yoga 3rd gen - also a great upgrade, since the X1Y's touchpad has a glass type surface. It resembles the Macbook Pro touchpads. You can find more information about it easily. it's a post in reddit.

With these tunings, the laptop has become much more comfortable and pleasant to use. And I got the joy of tinkering a little bit with the computer

I am very pleased with the result. Thank you once more for your time and for sharing this guide with us.

Glad I could help! Keep tinkering and be sure to pay it forward (post your results, guides, etc.) on here especially but also the various other thinkpad forums

PS Good choice on the panel! I'm currently looking for the 4K 500nit HDR matte (100% adobe RGB) from the new T14 gen 2, but nobody has published the manufacturer part number... and it probably will be a while until it's available to purchase as a single piece on ebay and the like. Still very happy with my 1440p screen, but at 300nit max and far less calibrated, my eyes can't keep up like they used to.

[Natakranta]

Glad I could help! Keep tinkering and be sure to pay it forward (post your results, guides, etc.) on here especially but also the various other thinkpad forums

PS Good choice on the panel! I'm currently looking for the 4K 500nit HDR matte (100% adobe RGB) from the new T14 gen 2, but nobody has published the manufacturer part number... and it probably will be a while until it's available to purchase as a single piece on ebay and the like. Still very happy with my 1440p screen, but at 300nit max and far less calibrated, my eyes can't keep up like they used to.

Do you know if T480 FHD touch screen cable, which is supposed to be 40pin will work with 4K UHD NV140QUM-N53 screen? Screen is on the way to me and I wander if it is safe to try out on existing cable, or should I order and wait for 4k cable 01YR503 / 01YR502.

[iamdmc]

Glad I could help! Keep tinkering and be sure to pay it forward (post your results, guides, etc.) on here especially but also the various other thinkpad forums

PS Good choice on the panel! I'm currently looking for the 4K 500nit HDR matte (100% adobe RGB) from the new T14 gen 2, but nobody has published the manufacturer part number... and it probably will be a while until it's available to purchase as a single piece on ebay and the like. Still very happy with my 1440p screen, but at 300nit max and far less calibrated, my eyes can't keep up like they used to.

Do you know if T480 FHD touch screen cable, which is supposed to be 40pin will work with 4K UHD NV140QUM-N53 screen? Screen is on the way to me and I wander if it is safe to try out on existing cable, or should I order and wait for 4k cable 01YR503 / 01YR502.

No no no, it has a very different pinout and can fry your panel

Get the 40 pin "QHD+" cable for QHD and UHD screens on the T480, and note that the T480s cable is incompatible with the T480 and vice versa. I mean it could work but the length will be different and it might not physically reach

[RealBlackStuff]

@Natakranta: viewtopic.php?p=862416#p862416

[Natakranta]

Do you know if T480 FHD touch screen cable, which is supposed to be 40pin will work with 4K UHD NV140QUM-N53 screen? Screen is on the way to me and I wander if it is safe to try out on existing cable, or should I order and wait for 4k cable 01YR503 / 01YR502.

No no no, it has a very different pinout and can fry your panel

Get the 40 pin "QHD+" cable for QHD and UHD screens on the T480, and note that the T480s cable is incompatible with the T480 and vice versa. I mean it could work but the length will be different and it might not physically reach

@Natakranta: viewtopic.php?p=862416#p862416

I've just thanked you both in the other thread. A much, much appreciated insight from you to hold my tinkering temper.

[iamdmc]

No no no, it has a very different pinout and can fry your panel

Get the 40 pin "QHD+" cable for QHD and UHD screens on the T480, and note that the T480s cable is incompatible with the T480 and vice versa. I mean it could work but the length will be different and it might not physically reach

@Natakranta: viewtopic.php?p=862416#p862416

I've just thanked you both in the other thread. A much, much appreciated insight from you to hold my tinkering temper.

Phew! I was worried for you. I've done dumb things before and so I try to help whenever I can as others have helped me too. Pay it forward and good luck. Pm me if you have more qs

[Danielsl]

Thank you very much for your guide, iamdmc! I actually registered in this forum just so I can express my gratitude.

Yesterday I installed an LP140QH2-SPB1 into my T480s, replacing the awful FHD touchscreen that came with it. The colors of the default display panel were really bad, it had very low color coverage. The touchscreen option, although practical at times, was not really necessary for me, I figured I'd rather get a more quality panel with a higher resolution.

I ordered the LP140QH2-SPB1 from ebay.de (I live in Germany) from a local shop for about 100 Euros. And a 40 pin edp cable from AliExpress for around 10 Euros.

I followed the guide and voila - I have a brand new much better looking display. This same week I also replaced my trackpad with the one from the X1 Yoga 3rd gen - also a great upgrade, since the X1Y's touchpad has a glass type surface. It resembles the Macbook Pro touchpads. You can find more information about it easily. it's a post in reddit.

With these tunings, the laptop has become much more comfortable and pleasant to use. And I got the joy of tinkering a little bit with the computer

I am very pleased with the result. Thank you once more for your time and for sharing this guide with us.

Walking the same path here Thinking of replacing original fhd touch screen with 40 pin narrow connector. it seems incompatible with non touch version which is wider 40pin. maybe anyone has a link to a converter cable? does it exist? I really dont care about fhd or higher res. originl brightness and contrast is impossible.

[iamdmc]

I don't get what you're asking for here

You only need the 40 pin QHD/UHD cable if you plan to drive a panel with those resolutions. The T480 series only came with a 0.5mm "standard pitch" 40 pin so you'll only be able to drive 0.5mm pitch panels (most before 2020) unless you are very good at soldering and can make your own 0.4mm narrow pitch end connector from a regular pitch end. Afaik no prebuilt / off the shelf solution exists to adapt 0.5mm pitch to 0.4mm pitch ends. Yes there are some adapters on aliexpress but they don't work as they have the wrong end (look closely at the photos and you'll see what I mean)
[/quote]

[nayjerenko]

Hi,

I want (must) upgrade from my beloved x230t (with classic keyboard mod) to a faster machine.
I cant stand the new keyboard design. Thus I intend to buy a t480 and swap the keyboard.
I already accommodated to the fact that I will loose my swivel display (which is often really useful to me) and my stylus.
However, I would keep at least the touch screen functionality if anyhow possible.
I now read that the stock touch display is of awful quality and I thought of swapping it to a nicer version.
I cannot find anything that fits and has touch - does one of you guys have any hint for me?

[Geniusbo]

This same week I also replaced my trackpad with the one from the X1 Yoga 3rd gen - also a great upgrade, since the X1Y's touchpad has a glass type surface. It resembles the Macbook Pro touchpads. You can find more information about it easily. it's a post in reddit.

Throw off more detailed instructions on how to change and where to order? AliExpress?

[sevendwiz]

Thank you so much for your guide! I was wondering if you had stumbled across the possibility of a 16:10 screen upgrade (possibly with 3d printed custom bezels) from another thinkpad model anytime in your research? and if not, do you think it would be feasible?
thank you in advance

[mstar]

Thanks for the guide @iamdmc.