I want to build a laptop from scratch.
Can someone point to a supplier of laptop components especiallly the case, and I mean the case case not the suitcase case. I’ve done some searches but my time on the 'Net is limited.
I’ve built computers from scratch before, from the EZ-80 on up so I know what I’m getting into.
There are some OEMs of laptops besides the “big three,” er, eighty-three. For instance some OEMs sell laptops just for linux (and not just a brand name ones with Linux drivers.) And from what I’ve seen of the cases they resemble none of the brand names. They must be getting there cases from somewhere!
Other choice is buying a laptop with a broken display that has been stripped of everything but the motherboard and going from there.
Laptops are much more pripritory then desktops, as I assume you know. You might be able to build a desktop replacement laptop w/ off the shelf parts but I think it would be hard to build a really light weight one
Not going to happen. There were some “upgradable” laptops/luggables made in the 486 and early Pentium days but modern notebooks are all in one. You can change drive size and mem config and add mini-PCI stuff but that’s usually about it.
Per kanicbirds’ note even a stripped notebook is going to take very proprietary replacement components. The closest you can get to a portable do it yourself" box is probably going to be a super slim “pizza box” or “baby” ATX style desktop chassis and those case form factors usually have cooling challenges and some will not work will full size PCI cards.
Just get the best notebook you can afford and move on.
Just the display to MB connection is going to force you into a particular system from a particular maker. And buying a known working modern display is not cheap, even on eBay.
The closest I have come to “build my own” laptop was a semi-parted out model for cheap at a thrift store. Added a thrift store laptop HD (you wouldn’t believe what I paid for it), bought a key missing display-PCMCIA controller card and CDROM off eBay for very little, and presto, nice working laptop. (Well, I had to do some tricks to get it to boot the first time.) If the display had been bad, it would have been junk.
So if you’re a scrounger, you can “make” a nice little laptop for $100.
Google on the new ITX and mini-ITX form factors (slashdot.org’s hardware archives should have some links too). Not quite a ‘laptop’ but you’re getting a really damn small mobo. From there use 1/2 height or 90 degree risers on your expansion cards and slanted RAM.
Are you looking to build a laptop for shits and giggles or do you have some sort of specific application in mind? The home-theatre and computer-in-car people will have some good resources on the small and tiny form factors, as well as other smallish computer components.
Dropped in to suggest a mini-itx variant as well.
Try www.mini-itx.com for examples of how small you can go.
Battery supply would be the pinch-area I guess.
> stripped notebook …take(s) very proprietary replacement components
Plan was find stripped laptop and check on avail/price of parts (and Linux/BSD compatibility) giving me a list of which brand and price range.
> mini-ITX
I’m in love (at first sight but perhaps not second!) Oh the possibilities, like splitting the laptop into a leftforearm-qwert/rightforearm-yuiop (are is that the other way around?) keyboard, fannypackbattery, headset for text reader for the blind.
Thanks for the tips. Don’t stop know!
I’d start with the boards and TFT display and drives, and then build or cannibalize a case to fit or accomodate. As others have pointed out, it isn’t a DOI environment. I did hear of someone who built an Amiga laptop though, and this is how he did it. Cannibalized the main boards from a desktop Amiga with an '060 accelerator and played around splicing ribbon cables, got it to work with a laptop 2.5" hard disk, etc.
I love the concept, and I wish it were practical because I’d give it a try if it were. If you really get going on this, AcidKid, keep us updated! I want to hear all the details … both success and/or failure.