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    Desktop 17" replacement LCD into Laptop?

    Discussion in 'Notebook Cosmetic Modifications and Custom Builds' started by tangograndma, Oct 24, 2006.

  1. tangograndma

    tangograndma Notebook Geek

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    Hello all.

    Anyone put a desktop LCD into a laptop?

    My mom has a HP dv8000t with a poor-quality LCD. We'd like to swap it out for a nicer, brighter, higher-quality one of the next-size up in resolution (17" 1440x900 up to a 17" 1680x1050). I've done some basic research and so far the notebook 17" LCDs are PHYSICALLY the same exact size, but one can NOT buy a 1680x1050 17" LCD from HP direct in any form.

    Where are some good places to get just the LCD? Any recommendations on where to find a good replacement LCD for a new notebook?

    And the REAL question is, if I buy a 17" 1680x1050 from a store and take it apart for just the LCD (pending exact physical dimensions matching first, of course) will it run in the laptop- or do power requirements and plugs vary so much that this is a hit or miss and try-it-and-see?

    The desktops have big wall warts and such installed that from what I've seen power a bunch of stuff, but the LCD itself isn't that much different on it's own once you take it out and remove the inverters and all that stuff... Anyone tried this yet? Seems a bit cheaper than dealing with "certified" parts that can't be bought anyway!

    I am working right now on looking up more specs to see if I might answer this myself... any info helpful.
     
  2. Lil Mayz

    Lil Mayz Notebook Deity

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    No, it is risky.

    When inserting the screen, it is likely that you'll wreck the LCD. And besides, you cannot fit a separate LCD screen in a laptop chassis.

    Why not just buy an external monitor and hook it up via VGA or DVI.

    The External Monitor will run at it's native resolution regardless of the native resolution of the laptop screen.

    That way, you'll get a nicer screen without the hassle or risk of doing any stupid things.
     
  3. ajfink

    ajfink Notebook Deity

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    Do what he says and just hook up an external monitor. I will sleep better tonight, :/
     
  4. tangograndma

    tangograndma Notebook Geek

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    I probably ought to have been a bit more clear... Thought I think I will be able to answer this. I was looking for some fellow modders and geekstars used to highly-customizing computers.

    I am more curious about power-issues than breaking something- I know that the standard HP lcd's are at 4w power. I can find the transistor to up the power requirements if it's under 8w- that's not too hard to do. Soooo.... my question, more specifically...

    What kind of issues has anyone run into with putting a desktop LCD screen ITSELF as a replacement PULL for a laptop LCD?

    Obviously the fit being the same and the backing the same and the power the same or within a close tollerance, anyone done this yet?

    I am also BUILDING a serious custom laptop (including the case) from total scratch- well, the mobo and components of course are from manufacturers. Polycarbonate and milled alluminum housing all custom done with swappable parts. I have found some cheaper LCD's I was interested in trying vs. ordering on-line.

    If no one has tried this or done it or gone to this level of customization, don't sweat it. Plugging in an external monitor is about as much of a solution as why just not have a laptop to begin with- just buy a desktop. The whole point is it's a laptop- totally self-contained.
    ;)

    Peace
    and hats off to my fellow hard-core geeksters.

    coming up in the next month or two a liquid-filled self-contained submersible laptop. Yeah. For real. :D
     
  5. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    moving to mods
     
  6. stamar

    stamar Notebook Prophet

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    the power of a low power desktop lcd is 30w, whereas a laptop lcd is 4w

    therefore this is impossible they are different animals completely.