M11x Customization: Battery Space now Free, What you Suggest in Exchange?

Now i am Starting another Thread for any Suggestions and recommendations of any customization idea in what to do in the battery space if an accessory company would develop an external battery for M11x.

Now thaT would free a lot of space inside the m11x if the battery would be externally located like a external video card type design (the Fujitsu Graphicbooster, Acer Dynavivid, or Vidock station).

here a sample of pics of the concept external batt (maybe put a DVD and other accessory)



here's the pic below of the free space section with the battery out and will give you and idea of what to make use of the free space.





for a start.

i hope dell would:

1. make this section for another geforce 335 to fit with its own cooling fan. Sli 335 would be possible

2. another SSD or HDD compartment so that we can enjoy raid 0

3. make for an another cooling system so that dell can finally put a quad core i7 on our very m11x

 

The M11X's raison d'etre is that it's a portable gaming system. Yes, i'm sure the unit could be kitted out with an i7, 4870etc... but DELL would be cannibalizing its own range of products - Plus, i don't think there's a market for an unportable ultraportable notebook.

 

there would be enthusiast who would be willing to give out a lil premium for a lil push in performance. but this free space would be a realization that m11x has more space for future upgrades that would be levelling the performance with other ultra gaming notebooks. take for example the Thinkpad X201 12 inch laptop which sports a i7 cpu but with less powerful video card but with a price tag of USD1,335

Now what we are asking is a M11x with a newer i7 CPU with same video card geforce gt 335m with just a lil above a USD1,000 price tag would be a very sweet deal. With a new space directed to cooling needed for the new processor then it is outright possible.

i guess many people buy the thinkpad x201 for its performance with such a price tag... then it is more reasonable for an m11x with such a price tag to sport the newer i7 cpu.

the gaming world would be happy with such an addition.

 

Wheres Perfectionist?

If somone took the battery out, I'd put it back in. Only reason I got it is to use it on battery. There really isn't much I would change about it.

 

April 1st was 2 days ago...

 

Yeah, this is a horrendous idea. The only change I would make is upgrade the 8 cell prismatic to a 1k watt cold fusion pack with a 600 year halflife.

 

You have to be kidding...

You're proposing carrying around an external battery (brick) so you can use the internal space currently used by the internal battery. :rolleyes2:

Just get the M115x and be done.

 

Better yet get am m17x. THe size difference is hardly noticeable between an m15x and a m17x. The Weight difference is notable but if you're willing to carry around an external power source then you're probably willing to carry around a m17x.

 

yeah. the idea of the M11x is to be SMALL, EFFICIENT, AFFORDABLE, and have enough power to game. if you just want a portable desktop, get the M17x.

these ideas are bad. another 335m with an ULV i-series CPU would put the costs over the base M15x and reduce the battery life significantly.

perhaps the best replacement there would be a same-sized larger cell battery.

 

hmm i guess the external video card wasn't a hit because it would not be portable to carry around a 2.5 SSD like dimension besides the laptop corner.

i mean an extra space for other upgrades would not do harm. anyway you get to carry around your charger which is very much like you batt sized extension. anyway, this ideas are not bad. but these ideas need improvements.

you can always put your external batt beside your laptop. i mean you dont walk or run while surfing or using your laptop. i guess you always sit down comfortably and position your laptop. nwe, i guess its personal opinion. enjoy your m11x.

 

Such fail, what are you trying to say here? This is not a customization, and its not free.

What are you talking about?

And what kind of "upgrades" are you talking about? How would anything interface onto the motherboard?

Fail, Fail Fail

Edit :
"you can always put your external batt beside your laptop. i mean you dont walk or run while surfing or using your laptop."

You're trolling right? this has to be trolling

 

He needs these kind of reactions. So... I say EPIC FAIL.

 

Come on people, there's nothing wrong with just playing with ideas. What's with all the hostility today? We've seen way worse than this idea. Geez people. Cpt. is no troll either, I know him from OCN, a great WCer if there ever was one, my kind of person to get odd ideas working into something useful.

Also, I for one carry an external 320gb with me where ever my M11x goes to pick up all the unnecessary writes that would end up on my SSD. To me an little 4x7 housing on the side isn't going to break my back or travel plans...ideas all need refinement. I bet the first person who ever wanted to create a laptop was laughed at too, now look at where we are. Hell if I could I'd rather have my SSD and two other HDD's inside my M11x than a battery I have use a screwdriver to remove.

 

Once you remove the battery, you might be able to fit another hard drive in there if you want two hard drives (or SSD and HDD). But if that is the case, I'd rather leave my battery there and carry around an external hard drive. This idea has zero potential without extensive modification and cost.

I mean if you're going to carry around an extra peripheral, best it is something not critical to the machine's operation, like an external hard drive or do it yourself vi-dock. It's like removing your car battery to put in a larger stereo amplifier and having to drag the battery outside your car.

 

Nick i totally agree with you .Total nonsense

 

The only thing i would change, is the pirce, i expected it to be free, and fly, but i can still talk to aliens on it so we're cool

 

i hope i dont offend the poster but this is probably one of the dumbest ideas I've seen in a while.

 

I would agree hes only throwing out an idea. if people are going to rage they should go tell someone that cares.

 

hey guys

this is only a solicitation of ideas. i am a tinkerer type of guy. there are many kind of person around this world. the have no ideas person, the not contributing person, and the criticizing person and many more... and thats the negative kind of people.

well, i just want to customize my m11x and i am on my research mode now.

tell you what i am gonna do for the next month or so and during my vacant time, i will be trying to add a video card and i am looking for a gtx 280 to work or an quadro fx3600m in it, all with its own cooling. connectors are ok but i am verifying it if it work. and just benchmark it for fun.

well, if the gt 335m can be sli with gtx 280m or the quadro fx3600m and make it work, then leave it to me by customizing my m11x and make a necessary enclosure that fit that space with smart connectors and just plug and play. it can be done, i hope and it would be a pleasure. if it will not work, the work is still pleasurable.

when i did my full watercooling setup desktop, some people will think that it is the dumbest thing to do, but who cares anyway... i am just having fun with what i can do. and because i know how hard to make this things, i really am a big fan of people who has ideas and try to work around their ideas.

customizing is not for everyone.

 

In order to run a 335M in SLI your going to need another 335M. Your also going to need an interface on the 335M's to insert an SLI cable. They won't run in SLI being two differant cards, and they won't be able to run in SLI just because both are plugged into the computer.

 

I'm being negative? Do you plan on soldering two M11x Motherboards together and then wrapping an SLI cable around them like a bacon wrapped sausage, and then stuffing them both into the same case with the battery taped to the alienlid? And then turning it on and watching it catch fire? Everything on this machine is part of one board except the battery, the ram, the HDD, and the wireless cards.

I'm being "negative" and "naysaying" because this idea won't work. I would only call it stupid if you continued to drive the point.

I'm all for customization but you can't do anything with the M11x's motherboard. Please call me negative but you don't even have any additional SATA ports to plug a hard drive into.

The only customization I could think of that might work by removing the battery is to smuggle "stuff" in there across the border.

I am also weary that people come here looking for real information and might get the wrong ideas, and start ripping apart the M11x.

This thread should be moved into side topics if not just closed.

..... A watercooling setup in an ATX case where you can literally do anything is not the same thing as an 11 inch form facter with an all in one motherboard laptop. I also built myself a custom rig for my desktop, this isn't hard. Watercooling also isn't hard. Laptops are an entirely different thing.

Have a peek yourself, take apart your M11x, and get it out of your system. Then think of the limitations of a Laptop vs a custom ATX desktop build and realize you're comparing apples to walnuts. Then maybe you'll realize the precision involved in a laptop means that every single component affects another in that small 11 inch case. If you manage to find another M11x motherboard and miraculously remove the 335m with its memory modules from the motherboard, you reverse engineer Dell's M11x BIOS (or hey, lets be positive, write your own from scratch) and include 335M SLI support, bonusly allowing switchable graphics (its ok if FN F6 doesnt work) then I will send you 10,000 USD.

Till then I will ask again for this to be moved to the side topics!

 

hi guys, why blaming people for having ideas. we do what ever we like with our machines right?

though I'm not very fan of this idea, it 'll be cool if you would be able to add a station like i7+SLI module that override the stock cpu/GPU while attached...

 

You and this guy need to work together on a project. Id love to see the end result of that.

And the above idea is alot better but still very unrealistic.
This however would be a nice option for future systems from dell/alienware: Imagine an alienware with a powersaving processor and a internal GPU instead of a power cord a docking station that takes over and has SLI or X-fire and an axtreme processor onboard. The size and weight of the notebook would be ideal for mobility while when you are connected you have all the power you need and the heating cant damage your other more sensitive components anylonger.

 

I think if 3vil, gotta throw Perfectionist in the M11x. If we could get all 3 together, now then, we may have something special in the works. The only thing I might change is the CPU voltage, it bottle necks the GPU pretty hard.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing a modification where the battery can be removed/replaced with another. I don't usually carry the brick around with me on a day to day basis since it generally lasts with my usual work flow.

I can't see an external battery working, unless you can somehow couple the power supply/battery together.

 

If I'm going to carry an external battery, I might as well just carry the small power supply. IMHO

 

I applaud Capt'n Zero on his efforts. Were it not for people pushing the limits of hardware, we wouldn't have Alienware now would we. People have to push the limits to prove that innovation is possible. If you see no point to this thread, fine. But don't knock someone for trying.

Here are some contributions to your efforts Capt'n:

1. There is a powered USB in the system you can draw from quite easily. All you really need to do is route it with a cable. My initial thoughts on how to use this include dual hard drives, a blueray drive, or a PVR. Four small solder joints and you have your expansion bay. A bit of a case mod will be needed for some options.

2. Most people won't sacrifice all battery; perhaps a small one can be inserted to use the space around the added devices. This would result in expansion and moderate portability.

3. The video architecture is already a strength; I don't think you'll get far on the SLI approach, though dreaming is still good.

4. Thinking really outside the box, you could integrate an iPod dock to connect your 64GB iTouch for extra capacity, charging, and syncronization.

5. There's sufficient space to mount a thumper of a sub in there... Bose perhaps.​

I'm a max battery man, but that doesn't change the fact that this space could be used otherwise. There's nothing stopping Capt'n from modifying his machine as he sees fit. Capt'n... have fun! Many have missed seeing the potential you recognize.

PS. Do be careful. Your journey is a bit perilous, albeit exciting.

 

I always keep an open mind, and don't think any idea is stupid. But I am also realistic. I think for one person's tinkering it's great. Have fun. I do feel innovation comes from tinkering.

You might as well move the thermal dissipation devices externally too for improved cooling and free up space internally. I mean you could move any number of things externally, but it doesn't change the fact that it is a unique mod opportunity that may appeal to only a hadful of people.

However, the initial post sounded like this would be a great opportunity for a lot of people. To turn a super powered netbook to have an external battery just to include something internally that can already be added externally is backwards thinking.

 

Put watercooling system in there.

 

In the context laptops are typically used in, you are right. But I know many people who buy gaming laptops and don't care about batteries. They are easier to transport for lan parties and so forth. In that case, using the bay for an alternate purpose may be just fine. There's also the possibility of a smaller battery, which would seem fine for some applications. I don't see the external battery as having any practical application, but I do see repurposing this space as viable for someone that can always be powered.

Those who don't even want a battery might like a blueray drive. Perhaps someone wants 4.5TB of drivespace in a small form factor (1.5TB laptop drives have been announced for release this summer and there's room for two in there). It really comes down to application; tailoring the device may make sense in those cases. This modification would be a step backwards for you, and for me as well. For those who use the system differently, it may also be a step forward.

 

But the whole point of the M11x is that it is SMALL and PORTABLE with LONG BATTERY LIFE. If someone wants a gaming laptop that they plug in all the time, then get a different laptop. Seriously. There's much better platforms for what you (and the OP) are suggesting that contain that stuff internally already, or have the slots for add-ons.

It's like converting a Ford Focus into a minivan. Sure it may be a great project for someone to practice their skills and say they did it. I'd be impressed because I couldn't do it, but you're better off buying a minivan to start with because it'll be cheaper and designed for that purpose.

I don't care what someone does with their laptop, it's theirs. Have fun. And like I said before it'll have its application for a handful of individuals. But I wouldn't expect anything more than a science project.

Issue with additional drives is there's really no way to control them. Throw as many as you want in there, but there's no controller or way to connect them to the board, same goes for a BD drive, which I don't think would even fit in that space. If there was I'd jump on using the 3G slot for a 1.8" SSD and run a cable to wherever it needed to go.

 

Hopping a run from the powered USB 2 shouldn't take more than 30 mins and is realtively non-intrusive. It would provide both power and interfacing to the bay.

I agree it's likely only a handful of individuals would ever do this. But they are getting something unique in the process. There are NO gaming machines in this form factor that include an integrated screen and this type of graphics power... none.

If you see this as a miniature gaming computer, the battery removal isn't damaging. If you see it as a laptop, removing the battery is senseless. We're viewing the machine in different contexts, so of course the views don't match. Anyway, I see no need to belabor the point. We do both agree that this has limited application, I just think there may be a use for what Capt'n is doing.

 

while this may be a FUN project, I believe there are numerous threads asking about 'what future takes on the M11x should be", so this thread appeared to have the same concept, except that a user was in the process of modifying the notebook. the majority of people who want the 'r2' M11x want good battery life and mobility.

 

now ishkabibble... that is forward thinking man.

m11x purpose and its limitations are also an invitations for innovations.

soon after my items for upgrades and customization arrives, then i will let you guys know whats cooking in my lab.

 

Agree to disagree, or kinda agree... whatever, fine with me.

But running power from USB for two drives won't happen. It has enough juice for a single drive. Plus you're restricted to USB speeds and will elimiante use of that port.

 

Maybe "forward dreaming"...

I do support creativity and new ideas. But... again... this thread reminds me of an idea behind iPad, and raises a question: Why -- what are you trying to do?

Maybe start systematically (otherwise you'll end up producing something as "useful" [sarcasm] as iPad), like from questions: "What do you want from m11x, that it doesn't have in it's present form?". Someone mentioned:

- SLI mode 2x graphics cards
- another hard drive
- quad core

Guess what -- a laptop with all those actually already exists! It's called m17x. Don't pretend you're inventing new ideas if they are not new (like Apple ), and reinvent the wheel, or what would people in my country say, hot water

 

that is why it is called customization. its not for the weak mind my friend. but then these quacking people exist because they pretend to know everything but does not know nothing.

when an sli, quad core, and with an another hard drive exist in a 11.6inch form alienware netbook, then it will not be called m11x nor it will be called m17x. it would be a different name... but still it would be sweeeetttttt.

why would i go for an m17x for power when my desktop will have it all.

that is why we want to customize because we want more and we wish for more for the already awesome m11x. but then all these talks will just be the snow of yesterday as what a member have said.

but i will have my day with customizing my m11x. it would be pleasurable.

 

If power is not the issue, then why cusomize and add things that won't work? Why not just enjoy it for what it is, an 11.6" Ultra portable, gaming system.

 

Ok! go for it! Good luck!

Yeah!!!!!!!!! Go CPT Zero! Power of positive thought!I'm In!

Positive thought will help you interface onto the motherboard, and customize the bios, I'm SURE of it!

Make sure to take pictures of whatever you end up with.

 

Some people like to come up with the ideas, others enjoy packaging them for mainstream use... and others just like to buy and use the finished product. All roles serve a purpose; innovation wouldn't succeed unless all three types of people existed.

I really look forward to seeing this evolve. There's one shortcoming of the M11x the Capt'n really brings to light. There should be an expansion port to interface with a docking bay. An advanced dock could enable the dual SLI, extra drives, raid array... the power of a screamer when docked. Undock and lift for the M11x, complete as it is today. It would be the best of hybrid technology in action.

Dell, if you're listening... I'm betting a docking bay for this beast would be a real breadwinner. Ask a focus group.

And Capt'n... awesome desktop there dude!

 

Now THAT I agree on! Sorry, I missed that part... that seems like a really good idea - and already exists for e.g. Dell Lattitude. Little m11x has enough power to do whatever I am doing on a desktop, there's just no simple way to hook it up (unlike Lattitude).

Give some decent docking station so I can throw away my desktop. It's just annoying to keep connecting all the things every time -- an interface with VGA/HDMI port, few USBs, audio in-out for mic-speakers and maybe even an AC power connector. That would be very useful -- if you could just hook up your laptop to it without bothering with all stuff separately. But also would require some serious modding/customization.

 

A dock would be useful, I agree there. But just for convenience sake. The SU7300/SU4100 already have trouble fueling the GT 335m, don't expect an SLI config to do any better.

But TBH, all you need is a power cord and HDMI cable and away you go.

 

This guy has no idea what he's getting himself into.

Watercooling, for the record, hasn't been "hard" or "crazy" or all that impressive for almost 10 years since you could order pre-fabricated parts online.

I can't wait. Please post a worklog so we know what not to do with our laptops.

 

first is making a new cooling system for my m11x i will ask my friend finnswerg to make a custom heatsink for my m11x. but it would take time. i will make a log if all gets to conceptualization phase. i will be posting 3d images of my custom heatsink. soon.

 

for customization:

1. external batt can be an option.

but i have talked to my friend who owns a battery store he can do me a battery with same connections but small and lower capacity that can fit at the hard drive space. So you still have an option not to carry around external batt and this maybe good to those who always play with m11x plug on an outlet.

2. a Raid would fit inside the battery space. 2 intelx25-m can fit and ill be customizing a Raid on the go type adapter.







i will customize the adapter (Pic Above) to fit the battery space with 2 intel x25-m 160gb

now this pic below will let me have a partial idea how big the battery space

 

Question, Why do you need to improve the cooling system. The M11x doesn't even hit 65*C under 100%load for hours. CPU or GPU. So it seems liek a waste of resources for something that will show absolutely zero performance benefit. Question number two. How do you plan to get RAID support in the BIOS? If your able to do it, and you reprogram the BIOS, I will be the first in line to test the BIOS if you figure out how to program the phase-locked loop (PLL) for the M11x. Not hating on anything, just think it's going to be more difficult then just inserting an HDD.

 

the raid is not bios engage but window base. the adapter above supports the 7 raids mode solution via switchable buttons. this will be connected to the only sata connection of the m11x motherboard.

The built-in RAID Hardware supports 7 switch selectable different RAID modes, including: RAID 0 (Strip), RAID 1 (Mirror), JBOD (Single), BIG (Span), SAFE33, SAFE50, and GUI.

More Info

Product Link

SATA Hard Drive RAID Case for 3.5" Bay - uses 2x 2.5" SATA Hard Disk Drives



* All Aluminum Black Design acts a great heat sink
* Case Front is Black to match Black Computer Case
* Interface: SATA to SATA; (for SATA-I, SATA-II Hard Drives)
* High performance transfer rates: supports 150 MB/sec, 300MB/sec.
* Uses two 2.5" SATA I or II Hard Disk Drives
* Supports up to 1TB SATA-I or SATA-II Hard Disk Drives (both HDDs do not need to be the same capacity)
* Also has USB 2.0 interface (480Mbps transfer rate)
* Form Factor: 3.5" Bay (same as floppy drive)
* RAID functions are built-in the firmware in this device and are DIP-switch selectable
* Supports 7 RAID modes: RAID 0 (Strip), RAID 1 (Mirror), JBOD (Single), Big (Span), SAFE33, SAFE50, and GUI
+ RAID 0 (Strip) or FAST Mode - combines the capacity of each HD into one large stripped HD - note: if one HD has less capacity than the other, the combined capacity is 2 x the smaller HD capacity
+ RAID 1 (Mirror) of SAFE Mode - the system sees only one HD with the capacity of the smallest HD (if each is a has a different capacity. One HD mirrors the other so both HDs have the same content
+ JBOD (Single) Mode - the system recognizes two separate HDs each with its own capacity
+ BIG (Span) Mode - The system recognizes this mode as one large HD with the total capacity of the combined capacities of the two HDs
+ SAFE33 Mode - 30% of each HD is run in RAID 1 (mirror) SAFE mode and the remaining capacities of the HDs is combined to run in BIG (Span) mode
+ SAFE50 Mode - 50% of each HD is run in RAID 1 (mirror) SAFE mode and the remaining capacities of the HDs is combined to run in BIG (Span) mode
+ GUI Only Mode - this advanced mode provides the advanced/professional user with a Graphical Utility Interface (GUI) to set up the features of a user defined mode
* Hot Plug Swappable
* HDD installs with cable-free connector and Auto Ejects when you pop open the handle on the cover
* HDD Door has mechanical lock
* Free Powerful Backup software included
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* Works with: Windows 2000, XP, VISTA, and 2003 Server (we provide free email technical support for Windows)
* Works with: MAC OS X 10.4.8 and above
* Front panel: Backup button, System/Backup LED, HDD0 & 1 Access & Failure LEDs, Upper & Lower HD Cover Safety Locks
* Rear panel: SATA 15-pin power connector, SATA 7-pin data connector, Mini USB port, RAID Mode Configuration DIP Switches, Change mode button
* Dimensions: 1 x 4.25 x 6-inches / 25.8 x 101.7 x 146-mm (H x W x D, approximate)
* Agency approvals: CE, ROHS

 

software raid is notoriously unreliable

for the record
i do agree that this is horrible idea because there is nothing that will make any difference.

example
you pull the battery out and replace it with raid hard drive setup that still uses up the usb port. you lost portability and the need to have that hard drive integrated. If you plan making it into a carpc stereo why spend $800+ dollars on something that is going to be hidden and still needs a internal battery.
The reason I say its a horrible idea isn't because you want to do it but rather because you think your trying to be innovative. If your doing it to test your skills then its still a bad idea because its so expensive.
in fact everything that has been proposed here as been met with a why? or how does that improve anything?

 

I agree. I don't see the differance in using another internal HDD, and an external battery, vs. and external HDD, and an internal battery. But to each his own.

 

Noble idea but mybe in 10 15 it could happen. But the idea just way out there.