Can the PLS screen from the A18 be retrofitted to the M18x?

My M18x (unfortunately) suffers from pressure marks on the right side, and M18x panels seem to be scarce. Would It be possible to retrofit the PLS screen from the 18 to the M18x R2?

 

Hard to say. There are some mentions of eDP in the 18's motherboard schematics, but no drawings what-so-ever. There are a lot of LVDS muxes as well as LVDS connector. So at least from this schematic's revision it could be possible -> 18's display being LVDS. There could be newer revision on which the 18 is based with eDP implementation (I doubt it, but let's not exclude the possibility). If you are willing to risk, good luck!

I feel your pain on the panels. I was looking for one to see where my brother's R1 problem is. "Thankfully" it turns out it's the motherboard, at least they are easier to find. If I was able to find the R1's schematics it would've been WAY cheaper, but someone is not willing to share it I guess.

EDIT: Use your cable, since your motherboard is designed with certain pin output in mind and the 18's could be different (again, can't find R1 or R2's schematics to compare) and the chances are that the display has standard wired input terminal (connector).

 

They are the same LVDS connector, but I tested the 18 display on the M18xR2 once just for grins and it didn't light up. I gave it all of about 5 minutes worth of effort. I had both machines disassembled at the time for Liquid Ultra application, so it was only an act of curiosity. So, it might be doable, but it was not plug-and-play. At least the physical LVDS hardware connection is the same even if the pin-out is not. I have not investigated whether the mounting configuration in the lid is the same. Probably not... and the Gorilla Glass cover is a bear to get off without destroying it. It was never intended to be serviced that way (without the glass cover).

Having the M18xR1 and R2 side-by-side against the Alienware 18, there is not a substantial difference in quality to my eyes. Personally, I would not consider it worth going to any amount of effort to make it work and would not really view it as an "upgrade" worthy of much effort. The display ghosting is something that has not set well with some 18 owners, although I haven't experienced that issue.

If you want to replace it with what belongs in it, here is one you can buy right now for a really decent price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Dell-Al...702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d542acd26

 

You are lucky. You might as well fried something. Display's backlight is usually connected directly to the power supply, so misaligned pins and there you go - new MoBo, new display, new etc. I've read a handful of horror stories.

For the price, they could've throw in the hinges as well.

 

I think at the very worst, you might fry the display. The motherboard supplies the power, not the LCD. Really almost no way for the mobo to get fried other than ESD.

Fox, thanks for clearing that up. I was looking for plug in play. I know a few members in the past had attempted to put the Samsung RGB LED panel in the M18x, but I don't recall any success stories due to the panel having two connectors (one for LVDS data, another to power the RGB LED) vs the single 40 pin cable for the M18x WLED LCD

 

That is the way the display panel is serviced as a replacement part. To get the hinges you would need to purchase them as stand alone parts or find a complete display assembly. I am guessing the seller on eBay didn't have any hinges to toss in as free gift. Even so, that is a great price (about $100 cheaper than brand new) for Grade A. The hinges don't really wear out on the M18xR1/R2 and they are extremely stout, so there would not be a need to purchase them for most folks. Alienware used to sell a complete display assembly (wiring, hinges, outer aluminum cover with the plastic "handle" fully complete) that simply bolted onto the chassis all ready to go, but they stopped selling it that way. I'm sure that was a ridiculous cost and wasteful with totally undamaged components being replaced without any valid reason to do so.

 

Makes sense, only if they are sturdy enough. Hopefully it wont get like my brother's legacy m15x