Custom Laptop

[Pho3nix]

Hi All,

So my friend for some reason want's to build a custom laptop ie. Buy a motherboard,cpu etc and build his own :|. Didn't really have the energy to burst his bubble but figured I'd ask the experts: Is this even possible? And where can he find parts?

 

[HAL 9000]

Sorry for him - this is NOT Possible at all!

Each manufacturer's laptop has a CUSTOM internal design & layout - the motherboards and other parts are specific to that model - for example, a Acer motherboard will NOT go into an HP laptop and vice-versa.

Only desktop PC's have interchangeable components due to the industry-wide standardisation of their internal layout and parts.

The only laptop components that can usually be changed by the user are the CD/DVD drive, RAM, and the internal Hard Drive (with limitations.)

With such a wide choice available in the current laptop market - from R 2,999 for a budget Celeron model - up to R 20,000 or more for a fully loaded i7 laptop with all the bells & whistles - he can choose the desired spec level from an ever-increasing range of models & manufacturers instead.

 

[SYNERGY]

Sorry for him - this is NOT Possible at all!

Each manufacturer's laptop has a CUSTOM internal design & layout - the motherboards and other parts are specific to that model - for example, a Acer motherboard will NOT go into an HP laptop and vice-versa.

Only desktop PC's have interchangeable components due to the industry-wide standardisation of their internal layout and parts.

The only laptop components that can usually be changed by the user are the CD/DVD drive, RAM, and the internal Hard Drive (with limitations.)

With such a wide choice available in the current laptop market - from R 2,999 for a budget Celeron model - up to R 20,000 or more for a fully loaded i7 laptop with all the bells & whistles - he can choose the desired spec level from an ever-increasing range of models & manufacturers instead.

Thats not entirely correct. Mecer offers barebone laptops that you can spec as you desire.

Just the CPU/RAM/HDD thou. Eg:http://www.laptopdirect.co.za/laptop_specifications.php?laptop=59433

Also: http://www.laptopmag.com/advice/tips/build-your-own-notebook.aspx

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/diy-laptop-whitebook,review-1286.html
Obviously the cost is prohibitive, and limited customization. There are limited shells available, and they usually use MXM cards.

You won't likely find these units in South Africa thou.