Broke my FHD display... Can I repair it with a QHD display and get a resolution upgrade?

[MKirk84]

OK, so I got a hairline crack on my old 1080p display.  When the screen cracked, I guess the digitizer board was damaged also because the replacement screens always had a dead zone across them that would accpept no touch or stylus input.  I decided to replace the whole display assembly from the hinges up and I noticed on the HP parts surfer website that they have both the 1080p display and the 4k display listed as parts.

I got to thinking that if I'm replacing the whole lid, why not upgrade to the higher resolution panel?  Would the displays plug into the motherboard with the same type of connector and be compatible?  Or would I be better off sticking with the same resolution display I had before?  

I would love to hear your comments on this because I'm very interested in upgrading my display from 1080 to 4k if I can.  What are your thoughts/advice?

Model #:  Spectre x360 13-4193nr

Product Number:  N1R87UA

[Huffer]

HP only offers the whole display assembly as a replacement part and it comes with cables, wireless antennae, etc. The motherboards are the same whether the laptop had an FHD or QHD (its not actually a "4K" but is a high resolution panel)

This is a hinges up total replacement and the part is going to cost an arm and a leg on the HP Partsurfer. 

$900+ to be precise:

https://parts.hp.com/hpparts/Search_Results.aspx?mscssid=A4229D0BEAC74ADDA1C4F8E3DBB80A8B&SearchIn=P...

I made an assumption you needed "ash silver"..."natural silver" is also available. 

Unfortunately what we do not know is if the cables are the same since the screen cable is not a listed separate part. If they were we could direct you to eBay where someone will be selling just the panel. We also do not know if the plastic screen housings are the same for the same reason. With a lot of time and experience doing these kinds of replacements I would venture a guess the plastic housing and the cables are the same but no way to really know.  

If the upgrade is worth $900+ to you then there you have it. Can be done. If you want to try to do it cheaper there are some unknowns but my best guess is you can just swap in a panel like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13-3-PN-833713-001-HP-Spectre-x360-LCD-Touch-Screen-Digitizer-Assembly-2560...

It does make me a little nervous that the seller goes out of his way to make clear this is only to replace the QHD panel like he knows you can't swap this in place of the FHD. I might contact the seller and ask as he likely knows firsthand. 

Personally I am very happy with an FHD panel but it is a matter of personal preference and I am sure we can find you the FHD panel which we know will just pop into your screen housing for something like $125-150. 

Post back with any more questions and please accept as solution if its the info you need. 

[MKirk84]

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@Huffer wrote:

 The motherboards are the same whether the laptop had an FHD or QHD (its not actually a "4K" but is a high resolution panel)

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So if I did get a "hinges up"  display assembly, it would be compatible?  Price isn't an issue.  I know where I can get some good used parts and the cost difference between the FHD and the QHD were small enough that I thought about upgrading the display.  

As far as replacing only the display panel, I've already tried that.  The circuit board that controls the active stylus and touch input must have been shorted out when the other display cracked.  I tried a tested/known-good display panel in it and there was a dead zone across the middle of the display that would not recognize anyting - touch or stylus. 

I'm was told that I am going to have to replace the whole lid, unfortunately.  I've not found the controller board from a place that I trust.  I can find used ones on eBay, but they don't offer returns/exchanges if it doesn't work. 

But thank you for responding!  I appreciate your knowledge and advice!  Buy, yeah... You're saying a complete hinges-up replacement would work? 

[Huffer]

When you previously replaced the panel did it include the digitizer module or did you reuse that? 

[MKirk84]

I reused my digitizer module.  The repair shop sent me a new/tested display panel with digitizer and there was a horizonal area all the way across the screen that did not recognize touch or stylus input.  

[Huffer]

You still are saying the repair shop sent you a digitizer. Exactly what did you do to replace the screen? The digitizer is a circuit board that attaches to some flat cables coming out of the screen. If you are still getting a dead spot with a new screen and a new digitizer then something more than the screen is broken. 

[MKirk84]

I guess I'm not using the right words.  The repair shop sent a "display assembly" they said was made of the display panel (1920x1080) and the digitizer (glass pane with touch sensors).  The circuit board (long and thin, accpets two ribbon cables and one white plug/connector) was not replaced.  

To reiterate, I only replaced the display panel and reused my aluminum lid and cables, including the long thin digitizer circuit board.  I used the FHD version of the part you linked to on eBay. 

I used this part:    https://screensurgeons.com/products/hp-spectre-x360-13-4000-replacement-fhd-screen-assembly 

I hope that helps better explains what I replaced. Thanks for your replies!

[Huffer]

Yeah it may be the digitizer but hard to figure how it got damaged. That should be the right screen.

[MKirk84]

My old screen got a hairline crack that extended into the touchable area of the screen and I was getting very rapid ghost touches on each side of the crack.  

Could the digitizer circuit board have gotten shorted out or damaged from that?  

Anyway, I found a place that sells good used FHD and QHD displays (complete assemblies with hinges, lid, antennas, etc)  or $180 and $270, respectively.  Because it's not much more for the QHD, I'm seriously considering the upgrade if it'll work.  

[Huffer]

Until you figure out the dead spot with the FHD screen you have I am afraid it would be good money after bad. First thing to try is a new digitizer.