Replacing Laptop LCD Panel With Different Resolution

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Replacing Laptop LCD Panel With Different Resolution

somebody123

21 posts

Geek

#31986 7-Apr-2009 15:40

I have a laptop with a 14.1" WXGA+ screen which, which has stopped working - the panel itself is damaged, rather than just backlight/inverter problems. Being WXGA+, the screen has a resolution of 1440x900 pixels.

I have noticed that there are people on Trademe selling 14.1" WXGA replacement screens (which are of a slightly lower resolution, but the same physical size). Sourcing a WXGA+ screen is quite expensive, and probably more effort than it's worth.

My questions are:
1) If I managed to fit one of these panels to this laptop, will the laptop be smart enough to realise that the screen is a different resolution, and adjust itself accordingly?
2) Do laptops have a standard set of connectors, or do different manufacturers use their own proprietory plugs/sockets etc?
3) Should I even bother? (cost of replacement panel is around $280)

Ragnor

8218 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#205918 8-Apr-2009 00:36

Try and find out the make and model of the onboard graphics but there shouldn't be a problem even the cheapest graphics chips do a range of resolutions and frequencies.

However it's probably not worth doing if you laptop is a fairly old model with a weak cpu and not much ram etc.

somebody123

21 posts

Geek

#205927 8-Apr-2009 07:34

Thanks - the laptop is still good enough for what I use it for (decent Core2 Duo processor, plenty of RAM).

Graphics chipset is Intel GMA950.

gehenna

8495 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#205936 8-Apr-2009 08:22

I've replaced laptop screens with differing native panels a few times, never had a problem. just make sure your drivers are up to date and you should be fine. if you get no picture when windows loads you may need to run an external display just to get the panel settings right so the picture shows on the laptop panel. other than that there should be no probs.

somebody123

21 posts

Geek

#205937 8-Apr-2009 08:24

Thanks guys.