Laptop LCD Replacement
The following FAQ page contains questions and answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding laptop LCD screens. The questions have been divided between the following categories:
Technical Issues
What are the different LCD screen sizes for laptop and tablet PC computers?
Laptop and tablet PC screens range in size from 10.4 inches to 17.1 inches. The size is measured diagonally based on the viewable area of the screen. Laptops may come in the following LCD screen sizes: 10.4 inches, 10.6 inches, 11.3 inches, 12.1 inches, 13.0 inches, 13.3 inches, 14.1 inches, 15.0 inches, 15.2 inches, 15.4 inches, 15.7 inches, 16.0 inches, 16.1 inches and 17.1 inches.
Planet Cyber considers devices with LCD screens smaller than 10.4 inches to be PDAs. Planet Cyber does not carry LCD screens for PDAs.
What is LCD screen resolution? And, what are the different LCD screen resolutions for laptop and tablet PC computers?
Laptop and tablet PC computers come in many different resolutions. Resolution is defined as the number of pixels or small dots that make up an LCD screen. The pixel is the smallest unit that makes up an image. Most screens sold today are TFT active matrix LCD screens. TFT active matrix is a technology in which each pixel has a transistor attached to it to control the backlight shining through it. Each pixel is made up of 3 sub-pixels (red, green and blue) with each having its own transistor. Each of these pixels turns on and off and filters light through colored sub-pixels which results in an image. The more pixels or higher the resolution a screen is the crisper the image. In addition, higher resolution screens allow more of an image to be view-able.
The following table shows the LCD screen resolutions available in laptops and tablet PCs.
| Resolution | Pixels | Aspect Ratio | Type of Ratio |
| SVGA | 800 x 600 | 1.33x | Standard |
| XGA | 1024 x 768 | 1.33x | Standard |
| WXGA | 1152 x 768 | 1.50x | Wide |
| WXGA | 1280 x 768 | 1.66x | Wide |
| WXGA | 1280 x 800 | 1.60x | Wide |
| WSXGA | 1280 x 854 | 1.50x | Wide |
| SXGA | 1280 x 960 | 1.33x | Standard |
| SXGA | 1280 x 1024 | 1.25x | Standard |
| WXGA+ | 1440 x 900 | 1.60x | Wide |
| SXGA+ | 1400 x 1050 | 1.33x | Standard |
| WSXGA+ | 1680 x 1050 | 1.60x | Wide |
| UXGA | 1600 x 1200 | 1.33x | Standard |
| WUXGA | 1920 x 1200 | 1.60x | Wide |
| QXGA | 2048 x 1536 | 1.33x | Standard |
As can be seen in the table above, LCD screens are considered either standard-aspect or wide-aspect. Wide-aspect ratio screens which have become quite popular recently are LCD screens with a resolution aspect ratio greater than 1.33x (number of horizontal pixels / number of vertical pixels).
What is the relationship between size and resolution?
Basically, the larger the LCD screen the higher the potential resolution. LCD screens are stated at their maximum resolution which may be adjusted downwards should you need to. Each LCD screen size may come in different maximum resolutions. See the table below for screen size and potential resolution combinations.
| Size | Available Resolutions | Aspect | ||||||||||||
| 800 x 600 |
1024 x 768 |
1152 x 768 |
1280 x 768 |
1280 x 800 |
1280 x 854 |
1280 x 1024 |
1440 x 900 |
1400 x 1050 |
1680 x 1050 |
1600 x 1200 |
1920 x 1200 |
2048 x 1536 |
||
| 10.4 | x | x | Standard | |||||||||||
| 10.6 | x | x | Wide | |||||||||||
| 12.1 | x | x | x(a) | x | Standard | |||||||||
| 13.0 | x | Standard | ||||||||||||
| 13.3 | x | Standard | ||||||||||||
| 14.0 | x | Wide | ||||||||||||
| 14.1 | x | x | x | Standard | ||||||||||
| 15.0 | x | x | x | x | Standard | |||||||||
| 15.2 | x | x | Wide | |||||||||||
| 15.4 | x | x(b) | x | x | Wide | |||||||||
| 15.7 | x | Standard | ||||||||||||
| 16.0 | x | Standard | ||||||||||||
| 16.1 | x | x | Standard | |||||||||||
| 17.1 | x | x | x | Wide | ||||||||||
Notes:
(a) wide-aspect ratio LCD screen.
(b) standard-aspect ratio LCD screen.
Can I upgrade the size or resolution of my laptop LCD screen?
Screen size cannot be upgraded. Your laptop resolution may be upgraded sometimes depending on the type of video card contained in your laptop and if there exists a compatible LCD screen of a higher resolution. We generally discourage against upgrading resolutions as it is not easy to determine a compatible LCD screen between resolutions.
Do I need a new laptop LCD screen if I have lines on my screen?
It is possible that you need a new laptop LCD screen. But the presence of lines alone could not indicate a problem with the screen. The video cable or the video card might be defected and needs to be verified before you decide to change the LCD screen.
Are some laptop LCD screens compatible with other LCD screens?
Yes. Laptop LCD screens may be compatible with other laptop LCD screens. Moreover, laptop makers like Dell, HP Compaq, IBM, Toshiba and Sony may source more than one LCD screen (as distinguished by the LCD screen’s part number) even from different brand LCD screen manufacturers to install in the same laptop model. There are many variables to take into consideration like various physical constraints, electronic signaling characteristics and power issues.
Do I need a new laptop LCD screen if my LCD screen is dim?
You may or may not need a new LCD screen if the LCD screen is dim. If your LCD screen is dim it may be as a result of either 1) a faulty backlight or 2) a faulty inverter. The backlight is basically the light bulb in the laptop LCD screen which as one would suspect has an average useful life. The inverter, though, is a separate piece from the LCD screen. The invertor essentially 1) takes the DC power which the laptop runs off of and converts it into AC power and 2) steps-up the voltage to light up the cold cathode fluorescent backlight.
We have found that when a laptop LCD screen is dim the majority of the time it is a result of a faulty inverter (especially for HP laptop components). Unfortunately, the best way to determine which is the cause of the dim screen is through process of elimination by trying either a new LCD screen or a new inverter and seeing which solves the problem. We highly recommend you purchase an inverter first as inverters are less expensive than LCD screens. Planet Cyber does not carry inverters, however, we would be more than happy to refer you somewhere.
Can I call for Technical Support?
Give us a call or send us an email anytime regarding technical support.
Do you have specs sheets / data sheets for laptop LCD screens?
At this time Planet Cyber does not provide manufacturers’ data sheets for laptop LCD screens.
Products Offered
For what products do you sell LCD screens? Do you sell LCD screens for products other than laptops?
Planet Cyber sells and installs LCD screens only for notebook and tablet computers and other industrial uses. We also sell the following products or LCD screens for the following products: flat panel monitors for desktop computers, CRT monitors for desktop computers, PDAs, cellular telephones or DVD players.
Does Planet Cyber sell inverters or video ribbon cables (data cables)?
Yes, Planet Cyber sells inverters or video cables. We specialize in notebook LCD screens. Because we specialize in notebook LCD
screens it has enabled us to become the preeminent LCD screen supplier in terms of inventory, knowledge and customer service.
What is the condition of the notebook LCD screens that Planet Cyber sells?
Planet Cyber sells brand new notebook LCD screens direct from our overseas suppliers in order to ensure the highest quality standards in the market for all brands and model of laptop. Planet Cyber also sells other screens like refurbished and pulls for those customers looking for other alternatives.
Be wary of other vendors claiming to have new quality or even refurbished notebook LCD screens as there are very few vendors that can provide this quality of screen.
Most laptop screen vendors get their inventory by breaking down used, overstock or “scratch and dent” laptops, and therefore, is difficult to assess the quality of the LCD screen. See below for industry definitions of quality standards.