1. What size is it? Measure the screen from corner to corner (just the glass and diagnolly)
2. What resolution is it? Identify the screens maximum resolution and compare this to the specifications we list on our site.
3. What technology does it use? Identify if your screen is LED or CCFL backlit (start reading below).
Laptop screens have back lights fitted to them. These back lights inside the screen are responsible for lighting the LCD panel up. There are two types of screen, one known as CCFL or BL and LED.
These types of screen have two or four wires usually pink and white, sometimes other colours coming from the bottom right. One or two white plugs will be fitted to these two or four sets of wires. The number of plugs tells you how many back lights there are.
These plugs are connected to an Inverter. All the inverter does is take 12 volts in the left hand side from the laptop's internal power supply and transform that 12 volts into 500-1000. This amount of power is required to fire the lamps and the reason why laptops with these types of screens often have a short battery life.
Find out more about CCFL http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCFL_inverter
Light Emitting Diode laptop screens are backlit by an electronic light source. They started emerging many years back in top end laptops such as the Fujitsu Siemens Lifebook laptops and high end Sony laptops and have now become common place in most newer laptops. They do not require an Inverter as the LED lights do not require a high voltage to operate. They consume far less energy than a CCFL screen and so far longer battery life can be achieved. The lifetime of the backlighting in an LED screen should outlast that of the CCFL screen.
Find out more about LED http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode
The connector for the picture or signal, known as the video cable, LCD cable or signal cable input is grey and runs up to the back of the screen. These are typically 20 pin or 30 pin connectors. The larger screen sizes have 30 pin connectors the smaller screen sizes can come in both.
An example of a 20 pin connector is here http://pic.shangfun.net/big_pic/92-17013-000.jpg
An example of a 30 pin connector is here http://media.photobucket.com/image/30%20pin%20laptop%20screen/Createlove_photos/E90%20Nx7110%20Statue%2015%20wide%20LCD/13012009129_resize.jpg
Screens come in various resolutions, typically XGA and WXGA variants.
XGA screens are not wide screens, have an aspect ratio of 4:3 and are typically fitted to older laptops.
WXGA screens are wide screen XGA panels and are typically a 16:9 aspect ratio.
You can tell the maximum resolution of your screen by looking in the Control Panel, under display, then the settings tab and seeing how far you can slide the resolution setting to the right. DO NOT DO THIS WITH AN EXTERNAL MONITOR. Typical screens are 1280x1024 (WXGA) and 1366x768 (HD).
If your screen is completely unusable you can often find the maximum resolution on a sticker on the wrist pad part of the laptop, or in the documentation that came with the laptop.
Failing that you will need to give us the part number or model number from the old screen and we will tell you which resolution you have. Contact us for assistance (Europe only).
You can find out more about the more typical WXGA laptop screens here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_XGA
You can find out more about the older XGA laptop screens here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XGA
This short guide briefly explains the technology used to create the current tft laptop screen technology.
The screen is extremely easy to charge. You simply need to remove the plastic frame from the front of your laptop using a standard Phillips-head screwdriver. That pulls off unsnapping from the back lid and you are at the screen. It is usually screwed to the back lid and / or a metal frame inside the lid. The web cam and any wiring usually stays inside the lid whilst the glass piece only comes out. We have a video tutorial show you how to become a laptop screen replacement expert in 6 minutes.
Getting the screen size right is important. This simple guide explains how to measure your screen and determine what kind of laptop you have. How to measure a laptop screen.
You can purchase your lcd laptop screen (Europe only) from laptop-lcd-screen.co.uk
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