What laptop parts to buy for a custom barebone laptop

Hello! After doing some research on the forums and not finding what Im looking for, I decided to just start a new thread.

Here's what's going on: Right now, I have about ~$1200 and I don't want to buy a brand name PC, so I'm thinking of buying a custom made laptop. However, to get the specs I want, most companies (ABS, etc.) charge about $1700 w/o shipping. So I'm just planning on buying all the parts seperatley from tigerdirect.com or newegg.com and just build my PC together because this way, I save about $300 to $400.

These are the specs Im planning to have:
-2.0 GHz Intel Duo 2 Core
-2.0 GB RAM
-HDD is not a concern for me, just at least 80 GB pref. at 7200 RPM
-I want the screen size to be no bigger than 14" and no smaller than 13"
-128 or 256 MP nVidia (not the intel built-in ram)

Can you please tell me which parts I need to buy to make a complete laptop, and maybe even a link from where to buy them?

Thank you

 

Well, barebones notebooks are fun, but somewhat difficult. I would recommend www.tigerdirect.com or www.newegg.com for all of your parts. Or, check if there's a sale at your local computer super-store, such as Fry's.

Processor: Just get one which matches the correct socket. I.e. Santa Rosa uses Socket P processors, which includes Core 2 Duo and the new Penryn processors due out sometime soon, I believe. You should be able to get either of these and be able to use them just fine.

RAM: Just buy notebook RAM which is DDR2 667 or 553 MHz. Nothing real specific here.

HDD: Same as RAM. Just buy one that you need (usually SATA is what most use) at the price you want.

Screen Size: can't really change that.

GPU: You cannot change the GPU in a notebook, unless it has an MXM compatible GPU. Sorry to say this, but I don't think any notebooks under 15.4" have MXM as of now. Your best bet would be to get a 256mb (128 dedicated 128 shared) nVidia 8 series.


I think that about covers it. Any more questions, feel free to post here or PM me so it's sure that I read it.

 

What other parts would I need? Are just those four compnents (RAM, HDD, CPU, and barebone/GPU) all that I need? How about the internet wireless adapter or the speakers/audio cards, etc.?

Thanks!

 

You'll also need the wireless card, which fits into the barebone's mini pci express slot. Just eBay the Intel 3495 (G) or Intel 4965 (N) wireless cards.

No need for a sound card since those are already integrated on the motherboard.

 

Are the wireless cards one-size-fits-all?

Which of the two are better?

Thanks

 

Wireless cards are one-size-fits-all for their form factors. There are two types: mini PCI and mini PCI express.

For all new laptops nowadays, you want mini PCI express.

Honestly, you can't really lose with wireless cards. The Intel 3495 is nice if all you have is 802.11g. The Intel 4965 is better with draft-N support. Some say that the 4965 has much better range and energy usage.

 

Ah, yes, I forgot that wireless cards aren't integrated. I would get the 4965, just because it's going to be replacing all others within the next few years. N will be standard soon, and you won't be able to take advantage of it if you only have the 3495.

 

In the past year, I was looking to buy a router and I came across the N routers. I read reviews on them that said that it's in draft and because of that, it completely sucks...it produces very minimal signal. Just because the pci card is N, it won't draw me back in range or anything, right?
Thanks

And Im really sorry for asking question after question. This is my first time buying a computer on my own, let alone building one from parts ordered.

Thanks once again.

 

honestly you could get a dell vostro 1400 with those specs for fairly cheap. they are nice laptops too. Personally i would build desktops in a heart beat, but never build a laptop. You just cant make it as nice.

 

While a pre-built is good, a barebone laptop is somewhat more future proof in that you know you can, and know how, to go back in and upgrade all the hardware. Especially with a brand new laptop, you don't know what's upgradeable.

 

which site or retail store offers building barebone laptops from the ground up?
i know how you feel and i wish to do the same

 

No, theres honestly no difference. The only upgradeable parts in a laptop are the ram, pci wireless and hard drive (Unless you have a swappable gpu like in Alienwares, but I dont think you can get those in a barebones anyway, nor can you buy the gpu on your own).
Theres no upgrading advantage to building your own once the parts are in. And with Dell coupons theres not really much price difference.