There are many manufacturers out there that make laptops. Each laptop manufacturer designs their laptop to be used with a variety of LCD panels. Depending on the specifications on the video card in the laptop, in order to fully use all the supported display modes, the LCD must support those resolutions also.

The main supported display types are:
VGA up to 640x480 resolution
XGA up to 800x600 and 1024x768 resolution
SXGA up to 1280x960, 1280x1024
SXGA+ up to 1400x1050 widescreen resolution
WSXGA+ up to 1680x1050 widescreen resolution
UXGA up to 1600x1200 resolution
WUXGA up to 1920x1200 resolution

First Step (Check supported display modes/Identify the laptop graphics card) – Check what the laptop's graphics card can support by checking which resolutions are available in the display properties. The highest resolution supported is the display size the video card can fully support with the LCD it is currently using. Sometimes a graphics card can support a higher resolution than what the current LCD is using. Recording the make/model of the graphics card is recommended. This information can also be crosschecked by the technician for compatibility.

Second Step (Verify exact LCD being replaced) – Verify exactly what LCD your current laptop is using. This step requires removing the LCD panel and recording Manufacturer name and model number off of the back of the LCD itself. There are at least five different manufacturers for LCDs and they are not all the same. Even the exact same laptop can use a couple different models of LCDs. This step identifies the exact part being used currently and at the least, identifies the supported display modes the graphics card can handle. Sometimes the graphics card can support a higher resolution than the current LCD type, so knowing exactly what LCD is currently being used, as well as the first step of identifying what the graphics card can support, will show if there is room to upgrade the LCD itself or simply replace it with the same type. This information can also be crosschecked by the technician for compatibility.

Third Step (Verify the LCD Flex Cable) – While the LCD is still removed, check for the part number off of the LCD Flex cable, or LCD Video Cable, that is connecting the LCD assembly to the video card. Example: An XGA LCD flex cable will have 20pins and have it's own part number while the WUXGA LCD flex cable would have 30pins and it's own part number. It is important to get this part number when shopping for an LCD because it is common to replace both during an LCD upgrade or replacement. This information can also be crosschecked by the technician for compatibility.

Fourth Step (Investigating the purchase) – With the information from the previous three steps, crosscheck the potential replacement with what is already being used. Is the new LCD physically compatible with the laptop? Does the LCD support the desired resolution supported by the laptop graphics card? Will the existing LCD flex cable in the laptop work with the new LCD?

Fifth Step (Making the purchase or asking questions) – Once confirming LCD compatibility, supported graphics card resolutions, and LCD flex cable, it is time to make the purchase or ask a technician if there is any doubt.