Thinkpad T61 LCD dim, go with led upgrade???

Question

Hey I just got a T61 and the LCD screen is very dim/dull when the laptop is plugged in or on highest setting, its nearly as dim as my Lenovo N500 on lowest brightness setting!!!
I know I will need to replace most likely the inverter and possibly the bulb inside, but I am wondering if I should replace the screen as well, and if so is there a 14.1" widescreen for this laptop with a better more crisp screen "like the n500"???
there is an led upgrade kit for the t61 series and i think that would most likely make the screen like new besides the few blemishes that is there now.
whats everone think?

Answer 1

Your inverter is most likely fine, just a weak bulb, but if you've eveer tried to replace one of these it's not a simple matter, your best option is to replace the screen. As for an LED upgrade, I think that's snake oil, as these systems don't have the necessary electronics to power an LED backlight. I have seen some (very expensive) circuitry that claims to control an LED backlight, but good luck getting it to work with things like your computes brightness settings, if it works at all it will probably be always on as the inverter isn't designed to control led lights.
Perhaps someone has designed a kit that resolves some/all of these problems...   but then you're still back at the point of having to install it in the screen. If you have a samsung screen they are a nightmare to open, you'll probably need to cut the screen open and tape/glue it back together. Other brands aren't as bad, but to do this right you'll need a labritory grade "clean room", because as soon as you open the LCD every partical of dust in the air will stick to the screen and you'll never get it out without replacing it with smear marks. If you do manage to "pull this off", then please take photos to share with the community.
If I were you I'd just buy a screen, there are some good used ones available, and I may have one with a good backlight, but with a vertical line on the screen that I could send you if you cover the postage, perhaps you can use the parts to combine one good one.
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