Building a laptop...

[Vcize]

Ok, here's the deal...I built my desktop computer and saved a ton of money and get better performance than a pre-built machine...I simply read a few online guides, asked some friends about it, and was set.

However, things seem a bit more complex in building a laptop...and there aren't many guides, and I don't know anyone that's done it before.

Basically, would I be able to do this without much expertise? P3 750mhz laptops are only a few hundred $ cheaper than 2.5 ghz ones, so I may as well build my own for cheaper than either...All I want to do is be able to play dvd's/surf the net on the road...but getting a cheap laptop isn't as easy as getting a cheap desktop.

So, would I be able to do this? And would I buy the whole encasing together with touchpad, keyboard, and screen installed in it or do I have to build that as well?

I'm basically clueless here...help.

 

[Bloodstein]

Dude, put it this way...

Even Dell, Gateway and some of the bigtimes don't build their laptops...

Laptops are like monitors....there aren't many of these manufacturers out there....for one simple reason, it's fairly high on the complexity side.

Building a desktop is "almost" a no-brainer these days (I'd like to take this opportunity to remind u guys of the days where a guy who "built" his computer was da-man )

Laptop....completely different story...it's like building a TV. Yes, its possible....would i do it....no!

 

[johngalt9999]

I totoally agree, laptop has several limitations for DIY b/c of its small and compact form factors. with desktop, all the cables and wires can be in awry without any serious consequence, however, with notebooks, it is defintly not an option. All the inner parts must be configued to the exact fitting of the case. Plus, with smaller size, the assemebly also becomes a very delicate procecess (ie , the screws are very small in laptops).

I can remember building a simple gear clock for one of my technology project , however, i couldn't image builing a watch.

 

[Siddhartha]

This question gets asked so often that the answer should be in a FAQ somewhere.

 

[holden j caufield]

I've rebuilt my dell if that counts when I dropped it. You can get the complete dell manuals online, shells, lcds, motherboards can be found at ebay. To be honest you can't beat some of the dell deals with coupons etc. Eaiser not much more expensive and with warranties and no hassle. Easy decision unless you have most of the parts already.

 

[rocadelpunk]

if you need a cheap laptop that'll surf and play dvd's, just buy refurb, or ebay.

 

[Vcize]

Originally posted by: rocadelpunk
if you need a cheap laptop that'll surf and play dvd's, just buy refurb, or ebay.

That's the problem, the refurbished and ebay stuff isn't really all that much cheaper...

On ebay, even a 500mhz laptop with little memory and a small HD is ~$400 with no battery and no dvd drive.

Throw in those last two things and the price is up to some of the new dells.

I was thinking that for that same price, I could build something much cheaper. I was hoping it'd be as easy as a desktop, but it's not apparently, so I'll probably just have to wait until I find a REALLY good deal on something.

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: Vcize

Originally posted by: rocadelpunk
if you need a cheap laptop that'll surf and play dvd's, just buy refurb, or ebay.

That's the problem, the refurbished and ebay stuff isn't really all that much cheaper...

On ebay, even a 500mhz laptop with little memory and a small HD is ~$400 with no battery and no dvd drive.

Throw in those last two things and the price is up to some of the new dells.

I was thinking that for that same price, I could build something much cheaper. I was hoping it'd be as easy as a desktop, but it's not apparently, so I'll probably just have to wait until I find a REALLY good deal on something.

I had a similar idea. I totaled up the costs of the components for a Thinkpad from ebay. It was cheaper to buy an used one. For an example an used keyboard can cost over $70. A battery: $90, LCD panel $300- $400, you get the idea.

 

[pukemon]

Originally posted by: Bloodstein
Dude, put it this way...

Even Dell, Gateway and some of the bigtimes don't build their laptops...

Laptops are like monitors....there aren't many of these manufacturers out there....for one simple reason, it's fairly high on the complexity side.

Building a desktop is "almost" a no-brainer these days (I'd like to take this opportunity to remind u guys of the days where a guy who "built" his computer was da-man )

Laptop....completely different story...it's like building a TV. Yes, its possible....would i do it....no!

I think a majority of the world's notebooks are made in Taiwan by Compal or Winstrom... Heck Apple doesn't even make their own notebooks (yet charges an arm and leg and then some from them!)