AG Parts Worldwide | Frequently Asked Questions

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Can you tell me the different LCD screen sizes for laptop computers?

Laptop screens range in size from 7.7 inches to 17.1 inches. The size is measured diagonally from the inside of the beveled edge on the viewable area of the screen.

Laptops may come in the following LCD screen sizes shown at the right.

Laptops may come in the following LCD screen sizes:

7.7 inches	14.1 inches
10.4 inches	15.0 inches
10.6 inches	15.2 inches
11.3 inches	15.4 inches
12.1 inches	16.0 inches
13.0 inches	16.1 inches
13.3 inches	17.1 inches

What is the best way to determine the screen size and part number?

The best way to determine the size and exact part number of your screen is to locate the part number found on the back of the existing LCD screen. In many cases, the size is actually included as part of the number. For example, by removing the LCD screen the LCD screen from the plastic display assembly in an Apple Powerbook G4 M9110LL/A 17.1", one of the LCD screens that it may use is a Samsung LTN171X1-L01. As you see, 171 is included in the part number which matches the 17.1" size of your screen. This same part number is what you need to purchase a replacement screen. Please keep in mind that laptop manufacturers buy various screens for a single notebook model, meaning just because Dell is the manufacturer of your laptop does not mean it has a Dell screen in it. In fact, Dell does not even make screens. There are only 7 major LCD Manufacturers in the industry and ALL laptop makers buy from these manufacturers. Also most notebooks can be replaced with a substitute (SUB) screen which only means it is the same screen that you currently have (resolution/connectors, etc.) but it is made by a different manufacturer.

Can you explain LCD Resolution, Pixels and TFT?

	TFT LCD

	Structure of a color TFT LCD panel.

	A subpixel of a color LCD

The definition of resolution is defined as the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. The pixel is the smallest unit that makes up an image. Most of the screens sold today are TFT (Thin-Film Transistors) Active Matrix LCD screens which are defined as a sandwich-like structure with liquid crystal filled between two glass plates. TFT Glass has as many TFTs as the number of pixels displayed, while a Color Filter Glass has color filter which generates color. Liquid crystals move according to the difference in voltage between the Color Filter Glass and the TFT Glass. The amount of light supplied by Back Light is determined by the amount of movement of the liquid crystals in such a way as to generate color. Each pixel in a color LCD is subdivided into three subpixels, where one set of RGB subpixels is equal to one pixel. (Each subpixel consists of what we've been calling a unit pixel.) Because the subpixels are too small to distinguish independently, the RGB elements appear to the human eye as a mixture of the three colors (red, green and blue). Any color, with some qualifications, can be produced by mixing these three primary colors.

Each of these pixels turns on and off and filters light through colored sub-pixels which results in an image. The more pixels or the higher the resolution a screen is the crisper the image will be. In addition, higher resolution screens allow more of an image to be viewable.

Can you tell me the different LCD screen resolutions for laptops?

The following table shows the LCD screen resolutions available in laptops and some resolutions are only available for high-end displays.

Resolution Terms	Description	Resolution	Aspect Ratio	Pixels
SVGA		800×600	4:03	480,000
XGA	Extended Graphics Array	1024×768	4:03	786,432
XGA+	Extended Graphics Array Plus	1152×864	4:03	995,328
SXGA	Super extended Graphics Array	1280×1024	5:04	1,310,720
WXGA	Wide extended Graphics Array	1366×768	16:09	1,049,088
WXGA+	Wide extended Graphics Array Plus	1440×900	16:10	1,296,000
WSXGA	Wide super extended Graphics Array	1600×1024	16:00	1,638,400
WSXGA+	Wide super extended Graphics Array Plus	1680×1050	16:10	1,764,000
SXGA+	Super extended Graphics Array Plus	1400×1050	4:03	1,470,000
UXGA	Ultra extended Graphics Array	1600×1200	4:03	1,920,000
WUXGA	Wide ultra extended Graphics Array	1920×1200	16:10	2,304,000
QXGA	Quad extended Graphics Array	2048×1536	4:03	3,145,728
WQXGA	Wide quad extended Graphics Array	2560×1600	16:10	4,096,000
QSXGA	Quad super extended Graphics Array	2560×2048	5:04	5,242,880

To help you determine your screens resolution, please visit www.whatismyscreenresolution.com
(Intended as a tool only not endorsed by AssetGenie, Inc)

What is Screen Resolutions?

Screen resolution refers to the number of pixels a screen can display within a given area. Screen resolution is usually expressed in pixels per linear inch of screen. Most personal computer displays have resolutions that vary from 72 to 96 pixels per inch (ppi). The resolution of the display screen is dependent on how the monitor and display card are configured, but it's safe to assume that most users fall into the lower end of the range, or about 72 to 80 ppi.

What is the connection between size and resolution?

The connection between size and resolution is basically, the bigger the LCD screen is the higher the resolution will be. Each LCD screen size may come in different maximum resolutions. See the table below for some screen sizes and the potential combinations of the resolution.

Available Resolutions

Size

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

Aspect

10.4

Standard

10.6

Wide

12.1

Standard

13.0

Standard

13.3

Standard

14.0

Wide

14.1

Standard

15.0

Standard

15.2

Wide

15.4

Wide

15.7

Standard

16.0

Standard

16.1

Standard

17.1

Wide

This chart is shown for reference only.

Can I upgrade the size or resolution of my laptop LCD screen?

You can not economically upgrade the screen size of a unit because the laptop is only made to hold that specific size. The screens resolution cannot be upgraded without major changes to your whole unit i.e. motherboard, video board, etc. Sometimes (very rarely) your laptop resolution may be upgraded depending on the type of video board contained in your laptop. This means if your unit is capable of powering the higher resolution and if there exists a compatible LCD screen of a higher resolution. We do not recommend attempting to upgrade your resolutions as it is not easy to determine a compatible LCD screen and there is no guarantee it will work.

What if I see lines on my screen, what does that mean?

The presence of lines could indicate a problem with the screen, the video cable or the video board.

Can another LCD with a different part# work in my unit (subs)?

You may find that an LCD screen with another part number is compatible with the LCD screen in your computer. Laptop manufacturers may buy various screens for a single notebook model. There are only 7 major LCD Manufacturers in the industry and ALL laptop makers (e.g., Dell) buy from these LCD manufacturers. The only difference is each laptop maker will have its own unique part number.

What if my LCD screen is dim?

You may or may not need a new LCD screen if the LCD screen is dim. It could be as a result of either

1) Faulty backlight or
2) Faulty inverter.

The backlight is basically the light bulb (CCFL Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) in the laptop LCD screen and has an average life of 30,000 hours. The CCFL is made of glass so it can break due to vibration or some impact. It can also go Dim and fail do to age. We offer backlight replacement

The inverter is a separate piece from the LCD screen. The inverter essentially takes the DC power which the laptop runs off of and converts it into AC power which steps-up the voltage to light up the cold cathode fluorescent backlight (CCFL).

What are the differences in LCD screen part numbers?

A part number is made to identify some minor differences between a laptop screens. See the table below for examples of different LCD manufacturer part numbers.

LCD Manufacturer	LCD Part Number	1st Part	2nd Part	Suffix
AU OPTRONICS	B150XG01	B	15.0 inches	XG01
CHUNGHWA	CLAA140WA01	CLAA	14.0 inches	WA01
CHI MEI	N154L1-L06	N	15.4 inches	L1-L06
LG PHILIPS	LP171WX2-A4K1	LP	17.1 inches	WX2-A4K1
SAMSUNG	LTN121W1-L03	LTN	12.1 inches	W1-L03
SHARP	LQ072K1LA03	LQ	7.2 inches	K1LA03
TOSHIBA	LTD141KN5K	LTD	14.1 inches	KN5K
		MFG	Screen Size	Differences in the screen

Suffixes tell apart the differences in a manufacturing batch of LCD screens made. A part number will have different suffix's which commonly indicates external and slight differences between LCD screens. These external differences may include distinction in the inverter cable lengths and/or serve as an identification method to differentiate between the groups of LCD screens for the different laptop brands.

Be conscious of that there are some exceptions and that the suffixes stand for more profound differences between similar part number screens. You are welcomed to call us for additional assistants.

I am now ready to enter my Part Number.

Can I call for Technical Support?

Yes you are welcome to call us anytime and one of our certified technicians will assist you with any question or concern.