PC hardware: Laptops: How hard are they to build?
Laptops: How hard are they to build?
by Yumpin_Yimminie - 10/21/08 2:37 PMMy laptop needs replacement. You go around reading various places and there are lots of not very nice stories about people's experiences with various brands. HPs and Dells seem to top the list as far as numbers regarding bad stories.
The other day I was on a website looking for a replacement drive for my desktop and noticed that the site I was at had barebones types for laptops. Which surprised me.
I've never built a computer and actually have never successfully soldered a wire. But I don't think there is any soldering now days. From just cursory thoughts. I'm thinking a person buys a barebones, which I imagine has the display; motherboard, appropriate processor, appropriate memory, in amount wanted, optical drive of choice, power supply and pack it all in together. Which now that I write that seems just a little to simple.
What am I missing?
Thank you.
Have a Great Day,
Jim
Just the few millions of dollars.
by R. Proffitt
- 10/21/08 2:42 PM
In reply to: Laptops: How hard are they to build? by Yumpin_Yimminie
You may be thinking of how you can make a desktop. Laptops have no standard form factor for the case, power, motherboard and more so there is no marketplace or web site for you to buy and build one.
The barebones laptops are not acceptable for those that must have warranty and support. Installing Windows is also a disaster for the inexperienced on laptops. You are more likely to defuse your first bomb successfully than install Windows proper today.
Bob
Why a problem with initial install of Windows XP
by Yumpin_Yimminie - 10/21/08 4:33 PM In reply to: Just the few millions of dollars. by R. Proffitt
I'm surprised to hear that an initial installation of Windows XP might be a disaster. I've reinstalled Windows XP lots of times. Well probably less then a dozen and have had no problems whatsoever. So what would is there to be concerned about?
Just do a little research.
by R. Proffitt - 10/21/08 6:14 PM
In reply to: Why a problem with initial install of Windows XP by Yumpin_Yimminie
In our forums such as Vista you find people devastated over trying to install XP onto today's SATA connected hard disks. If you don't know this story be sure your supplier will DOCUMENT HOW TO INSTALL WINDOWS PROPER.
Other repesting issues.
-> You mean I really need a XP SP2 CD? XP won't do?
-> Why can't I use my XP from my HP machine? I bought that license, didn't I?
and the most famous is: Where are the drivers for ________?
Bob
I see.
by Yumpin_Yimminie - 10/21/08 6:50 PM In reply to: Just do a little research. by R. Proffitt
Hi Bob, thanks for taking the time to reply. Hmmm.... didn't realize there was a problem with XP and Sata drives. I was planning on using my Windows XP from my old HP laptop.
Thank you.
Have a Great Day,
Jim
One last thing...
by R. Proffitt - 10/22/08 5:21 AM
In reply to: I see. by Yumpin_Yimminie
I looked last week for XP at newegg.com and found the Full OEM for just 139 so that's just not too bad a price...
pretty simple
by ramarc - 10/21/08 3:12 PM In reply to: Laptops: How hard are they to build? by Yumpin_Yimminiea barebones laptop include the case (with motherboard and screen), battery, cooling fans/heatsinks, and (sometimes) an optical drive. you need to add memory, a hard drive and a cpu. here's an example:
ocz diy laptop, $750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856172001
core2duo t8300 2.4ghz, $260: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819111002
wd scorpio 320gb sata drive, $90: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136197
ocz 4gb ddr2-667 kit, $58: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227247
total $1158 (before shipping and rebates and OS)
a comparable dell is about $1450 but includes a warranty and support: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dydwhf1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=productdetails~xpsnb_m1530
both of these would be considered desktop replacements. they're relatively heavy and can run hot.
No sale for 8600M and 8400M sets....
by R. Proffitt - 10/21/08 3:25 PM
In reply to: pretty simple by ramarc
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=8600M+DEFECT
This is old news and if you can't afford a possible failure (which are starting to show up now) you must not entertain any laptop or board with these chips.
BOB
dell and every other vendor is still selling them
by ramarc - 10/22/08 7:14 AM In reply to: No sale for 8600M and 8400M sets.... by R. Proffitt
the problem is a higher than usual failure rate, but they still work fine with a bios fix that changes fan speed profile.
We've been here before.
by R. Proffitt - 10/22/08 7:27 AM
In reply to: dell and every other vendor is still selling them by ramarc
Its your money. Vote with it.
Might check this G.Skill RAM out
by VAPCMD - 10/22/08 9:44 AM In reply to: pretty simple by ramarchttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231154
I put the linked GSkill SO-DIMM kit, 2@2GB, in an HP Pavilion Laptop dv9912nr. It had 1 SO-DIMM @ 2GB (Qimonda) and 1 @ 1GB (Samsung). The interesting thing is adding the RAM changed the Vista experience rating for memory from 4.6 to 5.8 and the video and gaming graphics jumped from 2.6 to 3.0 and 3.0 to 3.4 respectively. Not sure if the gain is attributable to dual channel architecture with matching SO-DIMMs, the faster RAM timing 4-4-4-12, or both. The system booted up with the new RAM immediately and there were no BIOS tweaks or RAM options.
Since I really like the idea of having two HDDs in the system, I'll be adding a second HDD to it soon...one of the WD5000BEVT ...that should be interesting.
VAPCMD
More important is how much can one save?
by ahtoi - 10/22/08 10:55 AM In reply to: pretty simple by ramarcJust recently my brother-in-law bought a few laptops for $400 apiece.
Customizable Laptops
by dminott - 10/24/08 6:42 PM In reply to: Laptops: How hard are they to build? by Yumpin_YimminieIntel has just introduced a generic motherboard for laptops.
To date, there are three companies selling laptops using this MOBO.
One company is Seneca Data, which is selling the Carbon model.
This allows you to fully customize a laptop and also to upgrade it at a future date. Asie from the hard drive, you can upgrade the CPU, memory, keyboard, WiFi, etc. If Intel pushes this idea hard enough, you may see a wider variety available shortly.
It ispossible to disassemble one of these down to practically the last screw, although it currently is not a job for the faint of heart!
Almost all current laptops have hard drives, optical drives and memory that can be fairly easily replaced. Usually requires removing ONE screw to remove an optical drive, and two or three to remove a hard drive.
Good luck,
Dave
Custom Laptops
by Zouch - 10/24/08 7:49 PM In reply to: Customizable Laptops by dminottDave makes a very good point. Actually, Intel are in the process of introducing a whole set of physical and interface specifications to try to achieve some level of standardization in laptop components and sub-assemblies, like we have had in desktops since forever. If you talk to an Intel authorized reseller (or a distributor if you can get to one) they should be able to bring you up to date with the state of play. From what I've seen of it, it is an ambitious project and I hope we'll see a choice of interchangeable modules in the not too distant future. It should ease the driver problems that Bob alluded to.
But for now, I'd be inclined to take Bob's advice and look for a ready built - if cash is a problem, take a look at the manufacturers' refurbished machine offerings - unless you need the machine to play the latest high def. games. You might have to poke around on their web sites to find them but the prices are attractive.
lptp is the cmbinatn of monitor, keyboard,speake,mouse,cpu
by ikp4success - 10/24/08 11:53 PM In reply to: Laptops: How hard are they to build? by Yumpin_Yimminiei do repair lapptops i know what i see and i take a lot of precaution reapiring laptops that has already being built ,but i like your ambition of building your own laptop is not goin to be easy my friend you can go to hp or dell themselves for training but dont tell them what you are planning to do..Good luck
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