Can I build my own laptop, on the cheap?

**MrPsychoGreaser** · August 14th, 2003, 05:33 AM

Howdy,

I usually post in the deals section...but my curiosity has driven me into action, so I'm here to ask the Lappy Elite a question you've probably already answered in the past. For a while now, people in the Deals forum have been posting on how to build great desktops from anywhere from 300-600 dollars.

You don't usually hear of anyone building their own laptops.

1. Is it worth it?
2. Is it possible on the cheap?
3. Any great deals on lappy parts?

If you have built your own lappy, I'd love to hear about it. I've never done it so I don't know what I'm in for. I have no problem building desktops...I'm sure there's quite more to building a lappy.

I'm looking to build a very basic laptop. I'd like to be able to watch DVD's on it, surf the internet (ethernet, DSL), and have it be able to handle microsoft office type programs.

I know I can probably score an old thinkpad on ebay for a few hundred dollars but I'd like to give this a shot if you think it's possible.

Thanks for helping me out.

**GroundZero3** · August 14th, 2003, 10:39 AM

you can technically. Finding the parts might be alittle difficult

But the companies who make the laptops like dell and compaq have tested setups to make heat as little as a problem. That would be your main concern and issue.

here is another thread about it

Building a Laptop

**trekkiejt** · October 11th, 2004, 11:43 PM

Go to http://www.freewebs.com/trekkiejt to see exactly what you are looking for. This thing is also near standard size! Exactly the parts and even where to buy them. Mini-ITX, slim drives, even a battery for mobility. I work for a small computer company that repairs computers including laptops so I have had the oportunity to dig into a wide variety of makes, models, and ages of laptops as well as some customizing. I haven't finished this yet but it is looking good so far. The FAQ page has a way of making it cheaper.

**MrPsychoGreaser** · October 13th, 2004, 08:11 PM

Congratulations...the idea is great. It's been over a year since I inquired about this and I was still curious to see if anyone had ever heard someone building their own lappy from scratch. Thanks for responding even after all this time...it gives me hope that we are one step closer to building things we weren't capable of building before. I will be using your site in the future as reference. Thanks for ducmenting your work...it will definitely come in handy.
-MPG