About notebook assembling

[satimis]

Hi folks,


Has any folk successfully assembled a laptop from components? Just came across following website on Internet browsing;

http://pchub.com/uph/


They are selling laptop components.


I built many desktops, workstation and server. But never built a laptop before. As curiosity I start this posting. TIA


B.R.
satimis

[A.Serbinski]

It'll cost you more in parts than it would to buy the whole system. That parts page is meant for *replacement* parts. You really can't mix and match main parts as they just won't fit together, so you can't take an LCD from X, and mainboard from Y and a chassis from Z and expect them to fit together, so your only build-it-yourself option would be to reproduce some model that already exists.

[satimis]

Originally Posted by A.Serbinski

It'll cost you more in parts than it would to buy the whole system. That parts page is meant for *replacement* parts. You really can't mix and match main parts as they just won't fit together, so you can't take an LCD from X, and mainboard from Y and a chassis from Z and expect them to fit together, so your only build-it-yourself option would be to reproduce some model that already exists.

Hi A.Serbinski,


I found my solution.


We can build our own laptop/notebook. Searching "barebone laptop" on google you'll find many suppliers there. The price is a little bid cheaper.


Cost saving in NOT my major concern. What I dispute is the laptops/notebooks available on computer shops all coming with MS Vista preloaded. They force me running Windows paying licence for a product which I already cease using for >8 years.


We can buy the entire laptop/notebook w/o the operating system. Alternatively we can buy the pieces of the laptop and fill in the blanks with other computer components which we can buy elsewhere. Similar to building desktop computer.


B.R.
satimis

[stevea]

This idea was popular in mid- 2005 and into 2006 when a decent laptop cost $1500-$2000 USD. Asus still markets some. TO me they make absolutely no sense when you consider the lack of warrantee the risks of problems and the fact that you can buy a better laptop on sale for less often.

The savings you imagine is lost in the thin market for DIY laptops.

[satimis]

Originally Posted by stevea

This idea was popular in mid- 2005 and into 2006 when a decent laptop cost $1500-$2000 USD. Asus still markets some. TO me they make absolutely no sense when you consider the lack of warrantee the risks of problems and the fact that you can buy a better laptop on sale for less often.

The savings you imagine is lost in the thin market for DIY laptops.

I was compelled to start this thread after returning from shopping laptops. All laptops on computer shops are preloaded with MS Windows. If I need to get a laptop I have to pay licence fee to MS disregard whether I use it OR NOT.

Now my interest is increasing on finding that I can build my own laptop according to my config.


Following link
http://www.directron.com/laptopdiy.html
DIY Laptop/ Notebook Computer - Do It Yourself Notebook, Picture Tutorial


showing steps in building a laptop from parts with photo illustration.


The site also provides information on shopping the parts for its building.
laptop barebone
laptop CPU
laptop memory
laptop hard drive


I think sooner or later building laptop will be popular and convenient similar to building desktop.


B.R.
satimis

[stoat]

Originally Posted by satimis

Now my interest is increasing on finding that I can build my own laptop according to my config.

Nothing wrong with that.

Originally Posted by satimis

I think sooner or later building laptop will be popular and convenient similar to building desktop.

An interesting prediction. I hope you're right.

I've never wanted to build a laptop, but I have always repaired my own laptops including Toshiba, Compaq, IBM, and Dell. Here's what my experiences doing that makes me think of your prediction...

The problem is that laptops are extremely proprietary. Their parts usually don't fit into other machines. Even parts from different models of the same manufacturer are usually not interchangeable. I mean just look at any laptop CPU heatsink and fan, for example. Nevermind about the mainboard which instead of being a nice rectangle with standard mounting holes usually looks like a giant jigsaw puzzle piece. I believe even your DIY barebone kits are still going to be unassembled proprietary brandname laptops.

Another effect of this proprietary nature of laptops is that purchasing new parts is very expensive. Sometimes a single new part can approach or even exceed the current value of the laptop. So I usually turn to the the "used" market for parts (usually eBay). And that is like gambling. Half the stuff I buy on eBay is junk. People are liars, man. But I can absorb that and still get acceptable personal (not commercial) results repairing a laptop that way.

Heck, you (or at least I) can't even safely disassemble a laptop without the field service manual. Laptops are like puzzles. I wouldn't think of opening a laptop case without the service manual (I have a lot of them on CDs). Just the screws have to be laid out in an egg carton in perfect order for the reassembly. Then there's all those shields, brackets, braces...

So, if cases and parts are ever standardized and third parties can market new parts at non-proprietary prices, then I guess the situation for building a laptop someday could be like it is for a tower as you predicted. Until that day, however, it is for the uber-purists who know exactly what they want, insist on doing it themselves, have the skill to make it happen, and can pay for it.

[sidebrnz]

Satimis, I know it's possible to get the "Microsoft tax" refunded. When you buy your laptop, never boot into the installed OS, register it in any way, or do anything else to accept the license. There are ways to return your copy of Windows for a refund, although it's not easy. My advise is to insist that the dealer give you all the needed paperwork, and/or urls for doing this as part of the sale. Not all dealers will know how, but the amount you'll save is worth the time it takes to find one who can.

[satimis]

Originally Posted by sidebrnz

Satimis, I know it's possible to get the "Microsoft tax" refunded. When you buy your laptop, never boot into the installed OS, register it in any way, or do anything else to accept the license. There are ways to return your copy of Windows for a refund, although it's not easy. My advise is to insist that the dealer give you all the needed paperwork, and/or urls for doing this as part of the sale. Not all dealers will know how, but the amount you'll save is worth the time it takes to find one who can.

Hi sidebrnz,


Thanks for your advice. What document need to be supplied on purchasing the laptop. Could you please provide me some more information.


The key point of argument is here. On shopping the sales told me MS licence has been included on laptop price. They don't supply Windows installer but only a recovery disc. However my point is if the licence fee is already included on the laptop that the same is paid by me. I don't like the pre-setup of the laptop. I need to install virtualization on laptop with Linux as Host OS and Windows as Guest OS. Without Windows installer how can I reinstall Windows after having Linux OS and VMWare server installed.


B.R.
satimis

[satimis]

Originally Posted by stoat

Nothing wrong with that.

An interesting prediction. I hope you're right.....

Hi stoat,


This is only a start. After having spent 1~2 days on this topic, I found many interesting info on Interet.


If I don't prefer to build my laptop starting from parts I can get a barebone laptop. Buy CPU, HD, RAM, Floppy, DVD, etc. according to my config in the same shop or at some other places. There are many barebone laptops available on Interenet.;


avadirect
http://www.avadirect.com/Parts/Notebook_Barebones

Directron
http://www.directron.com/notebookdiy.html

etech
http://www.etech4sale.com/parts-cat_id-100000049.html

Ewiz
http://www.ewiz.com/system_index.php

laptoping
http://laptoping.com/category/barebone-laptops/
....
etc.


Now it does NOT have much saving. But we can select our own config to build a laptop.


I think in the very soon future the mobo manufacturers will start producing barebone laptops - a mobo, case, cell, display, etc. Graphic card, network card, sound card, etc. are onboard. Or even they only make the mobo+case. Let the users buy their own display, cell, CPU, RAM, DVD, floppy, etc.


I may be wrong.


B.R.
satimis

[sidebrnz]

I've never had to try to get the refund, so I don't know; I just know that it's possible. As proof, when you start Windows for the first time it tells you that if you don't agree to the license agreement you can still get a refund. However, if you're planning on installing Windows under VMWare, you're going to need it anyway. My advice is to install as a dual boot, then tell VMWare to use your existing Windows partition.

[satimis]

Originally Posted by sidebrnz

I've never had to try to get the refund, so I don't know; I just know that it's possible. As proof, when you start Windows for the first time it tells you that if you don't agree to the license agreement you can still get a refund.

I thinks the laptop manufacture is paying a group licence. The licence terms disallow providing installer copy to the vendee. So the vendee only get a recover copy, the image of the HD. If such an assumption established I hesitate whether I can get the licence fee refunded.

However, if you're planning on installing Windows under VMWare, you're going to need it anyway. My advice is to install as a dual boot, then tell VMWare to use your existing Windows partition.

If I'm compelled to purchase the licence I'll reinstall the laptop. There are 120/160G space on the HD which space is more than enough holding 2 OS. I'll install a 3rd OS on it. I don't run Windows for >8 years. I don't need it. Almost all proprietary software running on Windows I can find equivalent on Open Source. Maybe except 64bit Shockwave Player.


I only need the laptop for going to conference. I have desktop workstations and servers both in office and at home. Actually I don't need the laptop. In conference I may use it taking notes OR in case the topic being not of my interest, instead of sleeping, I may work on the laptop. I have no urgence to get it.


B.R.
satimis

[sidebrnz]

Yes, the OEM is paying at a group rate, but he's then passing that charge on to you. If you're not using the product, either the OEM or Microsoft is required by law to refund that. Assuming that you're in the USA, call 1 800 MICROSOFT for assistance.