Build your own Laptop?

[Xsorovan]

Hey everyone,
I've been looking around at different laptop companies and what-not in search of a laptop, but all the premade laptops I look at don't contain what I want. (Well, they contain one thing, and then skimp in other areas)

Is it even feasable to make my own laptop? I can assume it probably wouldn't be any cheaper, being as I don't make laptops in bulk, but still, if nothing else it sure would be bragging rights. =)

~X.

 

[ArvinC]

Hello. I was thinking about this very idea about a year ago, but was told that it is practically impossible to build a laptop from scratch. Manufacturers do not deal with the "public" when it comes to laptop hardware like cases, screens and motherboards. The reason is mainly one of safety. A laptop is a very regulated machine when it comes to heat and electricity. If they aren't assembled, designed or tested properly, it could be damaging to the hardware (at best) or damaging to the user (at worst!)

That's why there really isn't a DIY market for laptops. Sure, you can swap memory, hard- and optical drives and (I think) video cards, but not too much else is user servicable. There's just too much involved in making sure you don't burn something down or fry yourself up when something shorts out.

But, if there is a way to build a laptop/notebook safely...please let me know! I'd love to build one...but want to let someone else try it first!

 

[Xsorovan]

Hmmm, as I guessed. But the same argument (burning, maiming, death, etc) can be made about desktop PCs as well. Have you ever tried ramming a srewdriver into a power supply? That can be a bad time. (Not that I am stupid enough to try it, but I have it on good authority you can get some really good distance when the capacitors go off)

So the parts that would be needed would the the mobo (which would probably have built on sound/network), the processor (AMD all the way), a video card, ram, a HD, a case, a power supply, a screen. I would think that it COULD be easier than putting a desktop together... it's just getting the parts together that could be the nightmare.

Does anyone has any resources on this? Or have they done it before?

~X.

 

[merlocka]

I'm not sure it's a safety concern...

There are no standards for laptop chassis, PCB, cooling, power supply, etc... Each laptop is designed for a specific fit/form/function. Considering that and extra .1" of any dimension is designed out by any means possible, it's not likely that you will ever see laptop "kits" per say.

Well, they contain one thing, and then skimp in other areas

Well, like specifically what? There are some pretty insane laptops available. Albeit expensive, but trying to build one yourself would be 10x as expensive (on a good day) so I'm pretty sure you could find a suitable laptop for the right $$$

 

[Xsorovan]

Yeah...
I guess if possible I wanted to save some money, but if I was building my own then money wouldn't be an issue. It would pretty much be bragging rights. (And the fact that I could upgrade it whenever I wanted)

I guess I just don't hear anything about it ever, and was wondering if it was at all possible. That would make a really great Anandtech article.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Unless you've got a lot of spare time, access to a metal & plastics workshop, and a desire to spend about double what you'd pay retail to get a notebook with no warranty ... then no, you can't build your own laptop.

- M4H

 

[ynot167]

What about a DESKNOTE?

 

[Gibson486]

you wanna laptop the goes all out? The Dell 8500 if you want nvidias latest graphics chip, or the a Sagar notebook.

 

[Xsorovan]

I was really just asking for the sheer "geek" factor of it.

I was thinking about it and it's probably like building a name brand car from scratch. Yeah you can get all the parts for a Ford Explorer, but its the putting it together and making sure everything works part.

*sigh* Oh well. I'll just have to be happy being Joe-shmoe with a laptop. =)

 

[Afro000Dude]

Maybe you could do it like a Gamecube with an LCD screen on it. Make a small form factor (ultra small, probably custom case and whatnot) pc with onboard sound and video, but have the video output to a butchered lcd that swivels open and closed. Butcher a keyboard and sink that into the case, usb mouse, and that's it.

Probably wicked heavy and hot as hell in summer, but if it's only for bragging rights, you got nothing to lose! (Except a crapsack of time and a pc, monitor and keyboard)