Can I replace a laptop's screen?

[Jacez44]

Really don't know where to place questions about notebooks on [H], but I suppose this is good enough.

So, I'm very picky about my new laptop. It has to be perfect.

Interestingly enough, the only manufacturer that sells a laptop worthy enough is.. Acer.

I'm talking about the 5745G - i7 720QM, 330M, 15.6", Excellent Aesthetics.

However, there is one lack. The screen is only 1366x768. That's barely an upgrade from my netbook, although I realize it's standard.

Since I am a photographer, I require the most pixels posible. 1080p would be perfect.

But Acer doesn't allow you to customize their laptops, so I have to do this after I buy it.

I found some 15.6" 1080p screens on eBay (the ones with the 40-pin connector), and I'm wondering if it's possible to replace the screen on the laptop with it, such as the screen from the Envy 15, which I was looking at previously.

And if it is possible, are there tutorials? I've taken apart and built my share of WC systems but I've never taken apart a monitor.

Thanks all.

 

[Mr. B]

It's not unheard of. I know people have done upgrades for thinkpad screens. You would have to find a matching LCD panel, however, which could be rather problematic.

 

[tk-don]

Are you really sure that Acer is the only option? Aren't there other options? I can't understand this review http://retera.ru/reviews/acer-aspire-5745g-434g50mi.html - but i can understand as much as they found the display has a CR of an incredible 84:1.
The reason i don't really recommend Acer's either:

1) When you want to repair something and take it apart, you'll find out that getting to the motherboard is incredibly hard. Removing the LCD is extremely time consuming too because WWAN cables and microphone cables goes though a small hole, below the computer to connectors on the mainboard which you can't reach without taking most of it apart.

2)
You'll have to take into account that the LCD panel you mount must not be heavier than that currently installed. The stock LCD brackets will fail, because they aren't designed for more than a few years of operations.

3)
Another thing is that the motherboard is mounted in a flipped-over manner, so that heat rises through the PCB. A clever way to sell a new laptop in a couple of years.

But it's more than fine if you'll upgrade after a few years... it's just technically badly designed, and i haven't seen much change through the past 5 years.

I understand the must in upgrading it. Here's the datasheet for the LCD: http://www.bu.org.ua/product/laptop_parts/notebook_matrix/files/B156XW03_V1.pdf
Notice that it is ironically based on the best and most expensive configuration from AUO with a 500:1 CR, but the pinout still applies.

If you compare the pinout at page 19/20 to most never LCDs, even with CCFLs, you'll find that pins 1-30 are like they always have been (as in the SPWG standard), while the further pins 31-40 just takes care of the LED backlight system. You'll also see that 20-21, 23-24, 26-27, 29-30 are not connected/floating. This is due to the screen being single link LVDS, and has to do with the resolution (dotclock) you are operating the LCD at. The higher resolution models requires dual-link LVDS, so you will have to inspect that the LCD cable in that Acer even has these extra connectors intact/connected so they can be used.

Secondly, the on-board EDID of the LCD may contain strings that the video bios retrieves upon boot-up. If you install a different LCD it - may - not show any image if the specific string is not intact. The trick is to modify the EDID of the new LCD so that it matches the older at some points. Flashing can be done by the use of Powerstrip (or using an I2C bus programmer).
But let's just say that it isn't going to be so problematic to begin with... but it's always a risk.

I can't find any informations of the manufacturer of the 1080p Envy LCD, but i guess it is identical in pinout.

Since you'll be using it for photography - LG are planning some IPS panels in 1080p at 15.6". I would personally wait and see what happens before pulling the trigger. Otherwise i'd take a look at a Lenovo W70x (x=0,1) or a 15.0" T60/p model (used, secondhand). If it doesn't come with one already, you can choose between upgrading to SXGA+, UXGA and QXGA resolution IPS displays. The gamut is 45% NTSC like most other laptop displays.

 

[i=∞[H]4µ]

I say keep looking for a laptop that meets your needs, If you do not have prior experience on working on laptops. I wouldn't suggest experimenting on ones you have to buy yourself that cost a bit of coin that you haven't taken apart before.

Unless you know for 100 percent certainty that that "eBay" replacement screen is compatible with the model line of laptop from Acer you are looking at, then you could very easily run ito spending more than its worth buy another screen that is, or worse end up with a bricked laptop, for sure that doesn't have a warranty.

 

[rhansen5_99]

What about Asus, they make pretty good laptops. The ASUS G Series G51JX-X1
found here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220700
is comparable in specs with a 360 vs 330 and its $1299.

Removing and replacing screens can be a pita, not to mention the additional cost of getting a better one.

 

[Jacez44]

4µ;1036153350']I say keep looking for a laptop that meets your needs, If you do not have prior experience on working on laptops. I wouldn't suggest experimenting on ones you have to buy yourself that cost a bit of coin that you haven't taken apart before.

Unless you know for 100 percent certainty that that "eBay" replacement screen is compatible with the model line of laptop from Acer you are looking at, then you could very easily run ito spending more than its worth buy another screen that is, or worse end up with a bricked laptop, for sure that doesn't have a warranty.

I don't believe you can 'brick' a laptop by screwing up its screen.

But yeah, the reason I'm here to ask you guys if the 100$ screen I found on eBay is compatible.

I mean.. why wouldn't it be? It's the same size, assuming the same pin-count.. I don't see what the problem is.

 

[Jacez44]

Are you really sure that Acer is the only option? Aren't there other options? I can't understand this review http://retera.ru/reviews/acer-aspire-5745g-434g50mi.html - but i can understand as much as they found the display has a CR of an incredible 84:1.

No, there are no other options. I've been searching for months and this is the only decent laptop I've found in Manhattan.

Right, the Acer's screen sucks. That's why I started this thread.

The reason i don't really recommend Acer's either:

1) When you want to repair something and take it apart, you'll find out that getting to the motherboard is incredibly hard. Removing the LCD is extremely time consuming too because WWAN cables and microphone cables goes though a small hole, below the computer to connectors on the mainboard which you can't reach without taking most of it apart.

What can I say.. it's the only option. Besides, I love taking things apart.
I took apart my PSP before there were any tutorials.

2)
You'll have to take into account that the LCD panel you mount must not be heavier than that currently installed. The stock LCD brackets will fail, because they aren't designed for more than a few years of operations.

I can probably strengthen the brackets. But I don't know if they list the weight on eBay.
Maybe if you know another source that sells screens?

3)
Another thing is that the motherboard is mounted in a flipped-over manner, so that heat rises through the PCB. A clever way to sell a new laptop in a couple of years.

But it's more than fine if you'll upgrade after a few years... it's just technically badly designed, and i haven't seen much change through the past 5 years.

Well, that seems slightly subjective. I'm sure they didn't flip it over because they just can't tell up from down.
To be honest, I would prefer to keep this laptop forever. I don't see why I'd ever replace it. The only games I want to play on it the 330M is more than enough for and even if they come out with a 3.2Ghz Quad under 22nm, I'm not expecting 12-core performance on the laptop. Basically, I'd rather it stay with me for 5 years.

I understand the must in upgrading it. Here's the datasheet for the LCD: http://www.bu.org.ua/product/laptop_parts/notebook_matrix/files/B156XW03_V1.pdf
Notice that it is ironically based on the best and most expensive configuration from AUO with a 500:1 CR, but the pinout still applies.

I'm beginning to not follow you because I don't know as much as you do about screens.

If you compare the pinout at page 19/20 to most never LCDs, even with CCFLs, you'll find that pins 1-30 are like they always have been (as in the SPWG standard), while the further pins 31-40 just takes care of the LED backlight system. You'll also see that 20-21, 23-24, 26-27, 29-30 are not connected/floating. This is due to the screen being single link LVDS, and has to do with the resolution (dotclock) you are operating the LCD at. The higher resolution models requires dual-link LVDS, so you will have to inspect that the LCD cable in that Acer even has these extra connectors intact/connected so they can be used.

Okay, now I'm feeling a bit left behind. I can still see you, but I'm afraid I'd get lost if we went further.

All I can say is - can you tell me whether the negative things you said apply to the Acer or not?

Secondly, the on-board EDID of the LCD may contain strings that the video bios retrieves upon boot-up. If you install a different LCD it - may - not show any image if the specific string is not intact. The trick is to modify the EDID of the new LCD so that it matches the older at some points. Flashing can be done by the use of Powerstrip (or using an I2C bus programmer).
But let's just say that it isn't going to be so problematic to begin with... but it's always a risk.

So.. apply/not apply.. *pulls shirt from neck*

I can't find any informations of the manufacturer of the 1080p Envy LCD, but i guess it is identical in pinout.

Yup, it's all 40-pin as far as I can see.

Since you'll be using it for photography - LG are planning some IPS panels in 1080p at 15.6". I would personally wait and see what happens before pulling the trigger. Otherwise i'd take a look at a Lenovo W70x (x=0,1) or a 15.0" T60/p model (used, secondhand). If it doesn't come with one already, you can choose between upgrading to SXGA+, UXGA and QXGA resolution IPS displays. The gamut is 45% NTSC like most other laptop displays.

Nah, it's either buy it now or wait until the spring.

The Lenovos are a good example of giving up practically everything I love about the Acer.

 

[Jacez44]

What about Asus, they make pretty good laptops. The ASUS G Series G51JX-X1
found here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220700
is comparable in specs with a 360 vs 330 and its $1299.

Removing and replacing screens can be a pita, not to mention the additional cost of getting a better one.

I've seen that. I guess for the price it's not bad. But it's super-fat, and I really don't like how it looks.

 

[tk-don]

Hia agin, sorry for not responding earlier - i actually tried to, but upon posting, the connection timed out so everything was lost, and i had to start all over. Hopefully, it's working this time.

Ok i get it - design and appearance are very important. Understandable and fair enough.

I can probably strengthen the brackets. But I don't know if they list the weight on eBay.
Maybe if you know another source that sells screens?

The brackets tend to break, but ok - new ones are fairly cheap and available on Ebay. So if you don't mind spending a bit on time of repairs if it requires repair, then of course it's no big deal. For the price it's hard to beat performance.
Weights aren't listed often - they're mostly stated in datasheets and manufacturer's product pages. In the end it is probably not worth hunting dowm the lightest screen you can find.

Well, that seems slightly subjective. I'm sure they didn't flip it over because they just can't tell up from down.

What i just meant was this: http://retera.ru/plugins/content/mu...views.internal.acer.aspire_5745G.5745G_22.jpg - heat from CPU and GPU that doesn't get absorbed by the metal and heatpipe heats up the PCB, which may cause microscopical expansion.

I'm beginning to not follow you because I don't know as much as you do about screens.

Ah, nothing important... it's just that the data sheet i linked to is for the best possible LCD the manufacturer of the screen can supply, with the highest contrast ration. A bit irrelevant i admit.

All I can say is - can you tell me whether the negative things you said apply to the Acer or not?

Unfortunately not - you'll need to take apart the laptop and check the cable going from the motherboard to the back of the LCD panel. The connector to the LCD looks like the one on the left: http://www.nextro.com/shop/catalog/images/JAE_FIX30H.jpg . You have to ensure that pins 20,21,23,24,26,27,29,30 each has a wire or connection going to it. If they don't, you can't upgrade the screen to one with a resolution higher than 1366x768, without modifying the cable.

Modifying the cable is described here (for a 30 pin connector... i.e. LCDs without LED backlights) http://www.instructables.com/id/Ace...WXGA-to-WUXGA-LCD-cable-mod-PT2-seen-here-fi/

Forget the EDID stuff for now.