Laptops - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

TawG · 04-24-2004, 01:36 PM

Ok, im thinking about the possibility of building my own laptop, and i was wondering if anyone had any links to guides conserning building laptops?

flamingpeach · 04-24-2004, 01:57 PM

I've never even heard of someone succesfully "building" a laptop.

Good luck finding any info..I googled and didn't see much.

Redjake · 04-24-2004, 02:09 PM

I don't think you can do it....just buy replacement parts for a current laptop. If you do get it to work, let me know

sailor · 04-24-2004, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flamingpeach
I've never even heard of someone succesfully "building" a laptop.

Good luck finding any info..I googled and didn't see much.

Quote:

Originally posted by Redjake
I don't think you can do it....just buy replacement parts for a current laptop. If you do get it to work, let me know

Yeah, as far as I know, you cant. There isnt any sort of standard for most of the parts, so there is no way to just buy them and put them together. In fact, about the only thing you can even upgrade on a laptop is the harddrive and the RAM.

BigGov · 04-24-2004, 11:34 PM

Not to mention the logistics for a large amount are a pain in the ass.

How would it be powered?
What would the specs be?
How big would it be?
How much would it cost?

Basically the best you could do is buy replacement parts for one type of computer and try to build it. And the cost would probably be equal, if not more than buying a laptop straight from the manufacturer.

oberon · 04-25-2004, 09:14 AM

Yeah, it's not really possible for anyone to do it but the most resourceful and determined geeks, and then companies who are dedicated to building laptops.

The problem is really one of space. Finding a motherboard small enough, an LCD small enough, figuring out how to cool a processor, not to mention the hard drive. And if you figure all that out, what about the battery?

IMHO if you want to "build your own laptop", you might as well invest in a SFF PC, like the Shuttle XPC, and an LCD screen. It'll be relatively light to carry around etc.

Or you can decide what you REALLY need to run on your "laptop" and go to eBay and get a cheap older one. That's what I did when I didn't have enough money to buy the new one I wanted last summer. I'm typing this on my nice IBM ThinkPad T20. Works great!

Kllr Wolf · 04-25-2004, 09:27 PM

I had a friend build a laptop of sorts. I dont know where he got the parts but can find out within the week. the thing is that it does not have a pcmcia slot and the battery is an external one. it is the size of a laptop and he uses it as one, but he says the external battery can be a pain since you have to connect it before you can power it up.

Tempboy · 04-25-2004, 10:05 PM

You can buy barebones laptop units and install your own parts.. I know for sure Asus makes them.

viper11885 · 04-25-2004, 10:51 PM

You can try checking in your local computer stores. Some of them build custom laptops. You just tell them what to put in and they can do it for you. I have never seen anybody actually assemble one though by themselves.

04-24-2004, 01:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
TawG Crazy	Laptops Ok, im thinking about the possibility of building my own laptop, and i was wondering if anyone had any links to guides conserning building laptops?

04-24-2004, 01:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
flamingpeach hip mama Location: redmond, washington	I've never even heard of someone succesfully "building" a laptop. Good luck finding any info..I googled and didn't see much. __________________ I've eaten my veggies all my life so bring it on, I am educated and strong for the revolution.

04-24-2004, 02:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	I don't think you can do it....just buy replacement parts for a current laptop. If you do get it to work, let me know __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

04-24-2004, 11:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
BigGov WoW or Class... Location: UWW	Not to mention the logistics for a large amount are a pain in the ass. How would it be powered? What would the specs be? How big would it be? How much would it cost? Basically the best you could do is buy replacement parts for one type of computer and try to build it. And the cost would probably be equal, if not more than buying a laptop straight from the manufacturer. __________________ One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

04-25-2004, 09:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
oberon Quadrature Amplitude Modulator Location: Denver	Yeah, it's not really possible for anyone to do it but the most resourceful and determined geeks, and then companies who are dedicated to building laptops. The problem is really one of space. Finding a motherboard small enough, an LCD small enough, figuring out how to cool a processor, not to mention the hard drive. And if you figure all that out, what about the battery? IMHO if you want to "build your own laptop", you might as well invest in a SFF PC, like the Shuttle XPC, and an LCD screen. It'll be relatively light to carry around etc. Or you can decide what you REALLY need to run on your "laptop" and go to eBay and get a cheap older one. That's what I did when I didn't have enough money to buy the new one I wanted last summer. I'm typing this on my nice IBM ThinkPad T20. Works great! __________________ "There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

04-25-2004, 09:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Kllr Wolf Psycho Location: Lubbock, TX	I had a friend build a laptop of sorts. I dont know where he got the parts but can find out within the week. the thing is that it does not have a pcmcia slot and the battery is an external one. it is the size of a laptop and he uses it as one, but he says the external battery can be a pain since you have to connect it before you can power it up. __________________ Caffeine - the molecule of life.

04-25-2004, 10:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tempboy Insane Location: The Red Mile	You can buy barebones laptop units and install your own parts.. I know for sure Asus makes them.

04-25-2004, 10:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
viper11885 Insane	You can try checking in your local computer stores. Some of them build custom laptops. You just tell them what to put in and they can do it for you. I have never seen anybody actually assemble one though by themselves.