As some of you are considering trying older lenovo windows/linux laptops, I going to start a list here of potential replacement display panels for ThinkPad T480 and/or T480s that may work for some eyestrain wise.

  1. https://www.panelook.com/LM140LF1F02_Panda_14.0_LCM_overview_48911.html (144hz refresh rate for a thinkpad!)
  2. https://www.panelook.com/N140HCG-GQ2_Innolux_14.0_LCM_overview_41388.html (This is a low power IGZO FHD display for better battery life, IGZO means indium gallium zinc oxide as semiconductor material)
  3. https://www.panelook.com/R140NWF5_R6_IVO_14.0_LCM_overview_36125.html (matte FHD touch screen, 6 bit color so not recommended for dithering reduction)
  4. https://www.panelook.com/B140QAN02.0_AUO_14.0_LCM_overview_37246.html (hdr wqhd glossy)
  5. https://www.panelook.com/B140QAN02.3_AUO_14.0_LCM_overview_33893.html (Non-hdr wqhd matte, what I am using in T480s)
  6. https://www.panelook.com/LP140QH2-SPB1_LG%20Display_14.0_LCM_overview_40282.html (I prefer number 5 to this which came with my T480s)
  7. https://www.panelook.com/N140HCA-EAB_Innolux_14.0_LCM_parameter_30063.html (has PWM)

How to guide:

https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=127439

https://www.ristrettorambles.com/upgrading-settling-into-the-thinkpad-t480/

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Lenovo_ThinkPad_T480

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Lenovo_ThinkPad_T480s

One thing to note is whether your machine comes with 40 pin or 30 pin cable and the eDP version and number of lanes. You may also have to use a pinout converter with one compatible with your chosen panel. When I replaced the panel on the T480s, the cable length was a just barely enough to reach the location of the slot on the panel. Another aspect to check is if you are using narrow or regular pitch pins. If you get a T480 the comes with a FHD touch display, it will greatly limit your options as to what panels can be swapped out without tinkering with eDP pinout adapters and motherboard to panel cables.

Resources for understanding pinouts and cables:

https://hackaday.io/project/179868-all-about-laptop-display-reuse/log/209701-common-edp-laptop-panel-pinouts

https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/uw0tit/t480s_from_fhd_touch_to_non/

https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/up3bql/seeking_advice_for_p14s_screen/

https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/i9oqr1/comment/g4fm42k/?rdt=45559 (see 30-pin normal eDP cable FRU 01YR501)

https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/v8tf2n/t480_screen_buying_advice_in_eu/?rdt=53836

Pin Pitch Converter Example

    photon78s notice the lines in the lighter parts in the trees

    I see, can you record a video with NR/shrapenss settings to lowest values?

    The image you posted could be a camera's sharpness algorythm, or you can see this lines ( or squares ) in reality …..?

      simplex

      Nothing is different on video as it is static and not flickering. Yes, it is even easier to see with naked eye. This is third time I've seen this. First on a legion 5 amd laptop, the NEC EA271U-BK monitor, and now this LG gaming monitor.

        photon78s LG gaming monitor

        which LG monitor…?

        Thats very strange. Some kind of "crystal cell" effect, where you can see subpixels border…

          simplex

          The one I have listed in my original post for this discussion in the table: LG 27gp95r-b

          I still need to find the specific panel model. It was not present or maybe as noticeable when brand new out of the box only a few months ago.

          Edit update:

          The horizontal lines are what's shown in these videos expect mine is less noticeable.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2agVKO-Ihkk

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FcM1cb34Uc

            10 days later

            photon78s The horizontal lines are what's shown in these videos expect mine is less noticeable.

            can it be kind of LG's vcom ?

              simplex
              I have no idea. Need to find their datasheet.

              PWM waveform at 0% and 100% brightness using thorlabs pda100a2 detector. 20dB gain setting on photodetector produces this waveform. Close to flat at 0dB gain setting.

                photon78s 20dB gain setting on photodetector produces this waveform

                Gain gives more accurate result… Same smooth results you can get placing photodiode at 5 or 10 cm instead of directly on the screen

                Same photodetector 20dB gain settings but for legion 7i laptop and samsung s10+ (both at max panel brightness) Photodetector placed close up to panel with no interference from ambient artificial light.

                Samsung s10+

                Legion 7i 2023 laptop

                  photon78s Legion 7i 2023 laptop

                  thats very wired, 7i shows very flat PWM wave but hurts more than S10+ due to dithering…?

                    simplex

                    I use legion 7i everyday with no issues (always set to 240hz refresh rate and linux mint). As I said before, I don't use the s10+ as main phone only for testing screens and the s10+ does give me strain after about half hour of use. Others seem to not tolerate the 7i.

                    xiaomi 12s ultra at max brightness and "dc dimming" enabled in developer settings (measured using thorlabs pda100a2)

                    simplex

                    Still trying to find out how to enter service mode or similar to find out.

                    6 days later

                    HKC MB140CS01-4 is a compatible FHD lcd panel for T480 and most likely T480s thinkpad laptops.

                    https://www.panelook.com/MB140CS01-4_HKC_14.0_LCM_overview_60997.html

                    100% brightness still shows some flicker despite stating dc dimming in panelook. Tested using a T480, linux mint 21.3, full white rgb(255, 255, 255) patch. Not subjectively comfortable compared to 7i panel (see posts above).

                    (thorlabs pda100a2 detector at 20dB gain)

                    Zooming in with shorter 5ms timescale reveals 60hz flicker.

                    photon78s BTW, I tried a Nord N30 and surprisingly, it showed no easily detectable PWM at max brightness with the 240hz iPhone 14 Pro camera (which is otherwise good at detecting PWM on devices that other cameras don't catch)

                    Unfortunately, despite passing my PWM test, the screen still sucks IMO and is unusable for me. I'm actually surprised you can use it as your daily phone

                    The weird thing though is that it sucks in a totally different way than I was expecting.

                    Usually with "bad screens" on iPhones for example (on both LCD and OLED ones) I see "oversharpening artifacts with obvious color fringing, constant twitching motion everywhere, noisy looking white backgrounds, eyestrain that I can physically feel after looking away"

                    On the N30, I actually don't feel most of those symptoms in quite the same way, the screen feels more still than usual and I actually don't feel much "physical pressure behind the eyes" at all!

                    However, instead, what I feel is just intense blurriness when looking at the N30 display, nothing is sharp and everything seems to have "artificially softened" edges. The PPI of the 1080p display is great in theory and I can't see the pixel grid, but despite that, everything looks blurry. There also seems to be weird very subtle black shadows around all text and borders/dividers.

                    (It's a totally different feeling from looking at a "low res" display that "still feels sharp but is just pixelated looking". The N30 is actually blurry and makes me feel like I need glasses even if I bring it close to me)

                    After using the N30 for just 20-30 minutes I feel extremely tired to the point I want to fall asleep and lots of brain fog/confusion.

                    The symptoms are actually very unique from my typical FRC, PWM, or "Apple device/AMD/modern Intel graphics post-processing" symptoms — but still affect reading and productivity just as bad

                    The main symptom it does share with Apple devices and modern Intel graphics is the false 3D effect, however it's more subtle than usual. Didn't notice it at first but became obvious on certain content.

                    (The presence of that effect is already enough of a dealbreaker to make me return it IMO)

                    After taking a break, I looked at my old Redmi 3 for 10 minutes to reorient myself. After that I already felt like I had a decent amount of my energy back and I could finally see clear and normally again!!

                    White backgrounds are also very strange on the N30, because they both feel harsh and not harsh at the same time. They aren't noisy or flickery feeling like on iPhones, but they still feel way too bright compared to everything else.

                    In general there's also way too much reflectiveness to the N30 display.

                    Modern iPhones use some kind of oversharpening effect. Meanwhile, the N30 also definitely has post-processing but causes undersharpening instead.

                    Meanwhile, the 720p display on my Xiaomi Redmi 3, which actually has lower PPI (and even has some mild PWM at max brightness), is totally fine and everything appears as crisp as it should.

                    I actually put them side by side and the N30 was so obviously blurry compared to it.

                    I even showed the N30 to a friend who's otherwise not screen sensitive at all (they use an iPhone 12 that I can't even stand looking at) and even they said the N30 looked blurry and felt difficult to read

                    To repeat, it's not because of the PPI or resolution, because the physical density is high enough where I can't see the pixel grid.

                    It's the software, GPU or panel controller that's doing something weird. This is not usual FRC or flicker but something different

                    OxygenOS 13, HW overlays disabled, same experience with both the 60hz and adaptive 90-120hz modes

                      dev