Has anyone replaced their WSXGA+ LCD panel?

Given the sporadic recurrence of "LG vs. Samsung" threads, I'm curious to hear from anyone who's successfully done something about it. Complaints about owners' LCD panels are a dime a dozen and far from reliable, given calibration differences and viewer subjectivity. Useful reports from hardware modders who have replaced their LCD panels are few and far between.

I really want to know--has anyone successfully swapped out their 15" Samsung (or LG) WSXGA+ LCD panel for another brand or model? Which one, where did you get it, and how tough was the swap? Of course, I'm particularly interested in seeing comparison pictures or some quantifiable evidence of improvement, but if the new panel really knocked your socks off (or didn't), that's good info too. Let us know!

 

There was a pic posted a while ago with the Samsung and LG screens side by side.

Replacing the screen isn't too hard. It's detailed in the Hardware Maintenance Manual. I'd suggest going slow if you've never done it before. Swapping the screens from the housing is probably the place with most potential to damage the screen.

Are you unhappy with your screen? Be careful what you wish for, neither screen will hold a candle to the FlexView if you want a quality screen.

 

On the Lenovo website it says that are two other LG LCD (13N7020 and 42T0423) with are direct/qualified subsitution for the Samsung (42T0329)...

Izzyzx

search under: 15.4 inch WXGA+ (1680x1050) LCD service parts - ThinkPad R61, R61e, R61i 15inch widescreen ...

 

Thanks Zaz, the comparison thread you're talking about is probably the one I made about 8 months ago, with the pictures I took: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2728393#post2728393.

I'm not terribly unhappy with my Samsung LCD, comparing it next to an LG panel did not show any significant differences in quality between the two. That said, I'm not a fan of the poor viewing angle quality...it contributes to eyestrain and makes it a bit harder for me to read what I'm working on (I'm a programmer). It is obvious when moving horizontally or vertically, but even looking straight on at the center of the screen from a few feet away, one can easily notice the change in contrast from the center of the screen to the edges. Additionally, the display is almost unusable outside in sunlight, but I suppose most non-transflective LCD's are.

I did some research into the IPS Flexview panels you mentioned ( http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Flexview), it seems they were only available with a few models (most recently the T60p), and only in 15" SXGA+ or UXGA versions, making them unsuitable for swapping into a 15.4" widescreen T61p chassis. Arg! Is it too much to ask for a beautiful LCD panel to pair up with the sweet Quadro FX 570M?

 

One option if you want a better screen would be to sell what you've got now and buy a FlexView screened machine. Lenovo will also not take kindly to swapping your screen in terms of your warranty.

 

I'm in the process of changing out my 14.1" WXGA+ screen in my T61. I got the Samsung panel, and to me, it was not good at all. I'm experiencing the same blue tint and overall washed out look to it, coupled with a poor viewing angle vertically and horizontally.

I am going to try replacing it with a panel made by AU Optronics. I will have the panel tomorrow, so by the end of the day tomorrow I will hopefully have a better panel in there.

 

Good point for those unaware...personally, I'm well accustomed to voiding my warranties. I still remember moving around resistors on my old (then-new) nVidia Geforce 2 Ultra to turn it into a Quadro.

I would consider getting an older Flexview machine, but I currently prioritize my laptop's other hardware (esp. GPU) over having a "better" display. I'm happy enough with my Samsung, I just want to be able to have my cake and eat it too.

 

Sure the 570m is a bit better than the V5200, but it's not leaps and bounds better if you really want a better screen.

 

I'm not 100% sure, but the benchmarks seem to suggest that the 570M is twice (3D Mark 05), if not three times (3D Mark 06) as fast as the V5200. I'm sure it depends on the exact configurations (GDDR2/GDDR3, memory bus size, etc.), but still...

FireFL V5200: http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-FireGL-V5200.2164.0.html
Quadro FX 570M: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-Quadro-FX-570M.6938.0.html

If I didn't want the option of occasional gaming, or if the 570M wasn't as significant a performance difference, then swapping my T61p for a T60p for a significantly better display would be easier to justify.

 

Well then it looks like you're going to have to pick your poison.

 

I was able to get my brother's changed out. Went through several LCDs and finally settled on a 2nd revision samsung. He liked the colors on it over the LG.

Its not a hassle at all unless you want something that is not in stock.

 

Thus the impetus for this thread--I'd much rather hear about someone's success in swapping out the LCD for another, significantly better one.

 

I just don't think either the Samsung or LG is "significantly" better than the other if a quality screen is really what your after.

 

LG is WAY BETTER than the first revision samsungs. This might be part of the confusion. Once people post LG>Samsung, everybody wants the LG.

In my experience this is only true with most of the 1st revision samsungs. They were really bad.

after there isnt too much difference. I feel the LG is a little brighter but the colors on the newer samsungs are better

 

when exactly were the 1st revision samsungs produced? according to pc wizard, and the mold marks on the back of my lcd panel...mine was produced in 2005!

 

My grainy Samsung was also produced in 2005!

 

Sorry, I suppose my original post was poorly worded. I am not interested in hearing about people who swapped out their Samsung for an LG (or vice versa), I already know that's possible and that it wouldn't make a big difference. As I said in my original post: "I really want to know--has anyone successfully swapped out their 15" Samsung (or LG) WSXGA+ LCD panel for another brand or model?" That is, any other panel, by any make or model.

 

Not sure when they were made. But 2005 was the same year I found in my brothers T61 that we bought in March 2008. I forgot the exact fru number but it was something like Model#-lo1. I am gussing Lo1, Lo2, etc... refers to the revision number

It was grainy, very dim and had a strong blue tint.

The new samsung he finally settled has a SLIGHT blue tint, but the colors were so much more vivid. its serial ended in lo2

 

well thats interesting... because, going off memory, my model# ended with L05... I think. I don't have the panel with me, it's in my office and i'm at home right now.

but mine is exactly like that, grainy, dim and strong blue tint.

 

Ok my brothers went from

Samsung R1-> LG (NOT MADE FOR 8897) -> Samsung R2

I confirmed it was an LG via pc wizard. I did not find an LG for 8897, but somehow we got one. It sucked (possibly a lemon)

8897 was a 14" standard screen not sure about 15"

 

very interesting. You can have lenovo swap it out. might take a few tries but they usually take care stuff like this assuming you are still under warranty

 

haha, well, after reading several posts about lenovo not caring about the quality of the screen and not calling it a defect. they would not replace it for several people.

so i didn't even bother. I have an AU Optronics on order, and fingers crossed it will work out right. that comes tomorrow, so i'll be able to tell u about it soon.

 

You can, just say its way to grainy and way too dim compared to a similar model. They will do it. I have done it several times using the same reason.

 

well then u run the risk of having it 'replaced' with the exact same model panel?

 

not exactly. You tell them that you dont want that LCD. you might run the chance of getting something worse but when you describe your problems they will help work it out.

took me a few tries on my brother's LCD but eventually we got a good one

If you can afford to live without your computer for a few days (longer if you do mail in vs shop) and are under warranty, go for it.

It just makes sense given that they are willing to swap it out at no cost.

 

well i was under the impression that they would not do it under the warranty, so i didn't even try it. and decided to get my own panel set me back $180, so.. not too bad.