Custom building with Desktop Components

I am quite new in notebook hardware but I recently came up with the idea of custom building a laptop. And I've read that laptop upgrade parts are hard to come by. So I figured, why not get the smallest possible Desktop hardware and slap em in a notebook case. I still have an cranky old Dell Inspiron 3500 of which I can use the case (Specs can be found here) It's the 14.1 Inch Edition. I am curently wondering about two things:

1. The Dimensions, I have found some Motherboards that are a lot smaller then the dimensions of the laptopcase, where is the catch?

2. The screen, will I be able to get myself a desktop videocard that is going to work with the laptop screen or will I come across a different interfaces nightmare?

Thanks in advance

 

1.will it still smaller with desktop components installed? <-- No

2. if you wanna put it inside the laptop, read no. 1

 

Maybe send a PM to K-TRON (only person I know has done it).

 

So it has done before? Well that's all I need to know right?

 

it's done but not in 14" form, K-TRON is making it with a 20-22" LCD (I think?)
try to search the forum for "Octitron"

 

^ +1

The thing is, you're going to have to make your own case and mod a power supply if you want it small-ish.

 

I've found a PCIe <-> PCIe cable that will help to place stuff like a videocard horizontaly instead of verticaly which I may have to extend the case to allow enough airflow, but this case is already pretty big.

His thread is closed due to apparent trolling, I doubt he wants to share info

 

Actually he is a very nice guy, he will give advice.

But I would just buy a barebones notebook (some take desktop CPUs).
And if you want a desktop GPU, do this:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5324240

 

well even if you can put it horizontally, I doubt it will fit in the Dell's case.
remember notebooks already have dedicated rooms for hdd, cd-rom, etc..
so you'll get the idea why they make mobile GPUs in such small form.

and power requirements between notebooks and desktops are way too different..
like namaiki said, you might need to mod your own

 

I got a great supplier in my neighborhood with a great amount of external laptop power sources ( mint!)
making an own case is do-able and I might even be able to use pieces. My main concern is linking the video card to the laptop monitor because I have no idea what type of cable it might be... [EDIT]Thanks to moral hazard for the guide about ViDock, I think this was what I was looking for[/EDIT]

I also found this: it might not be fancy but it shows its possible

 

use desktop LCD monitor
as you can see, you cant use the 14" dell

edit: I'd say it's a thin line between DIY self-build laptop and a integrated-desktop-LCD-keyboard ... you know what I mean?

 

Yes, The thing is indeed more of a carryable desktop instead of an laptop, but i still intend to build one (preferably smaller) I have no clue what K-Tron's project looked like so its hard to speculate...

 

Lance, get a few more posts up here, and you will gain the ability to send PM's (personal messages)
I will help you along the way if you decide to continue through with the project. I have had a good 3 people send me dozens of messages about building there own. They were really into it, until they started to build it. Then they just quit. It is possible, and it can be done. You need a high level of craft, knowledge on how to use tools, and you may need access to a machine lab of some sorts to mill certain pieces of the project, like custom hinges, heatsinks, fan mounts, harddrive mounts, etc.
I may be able to work side by side with you, if you want a smaller system. I am in the process of building/designing a 15" rig based on Micro-ATX parts. Will I be able to send you pictures, well not until I think you are worthy of seeing them

K-TRON

 

Feeling all high and mighty are you? : d well I dont blame you. You seem to be a pioneer of some sort. Now back to business I understand I still have à helluva lot to learn. So I think I will assemble and disassemble the laptop in my spare time to get the hang of it, buy some components and cables and work out how im gonna power the thing. If I am still trying or succeeding in about 2 months i feel I can come back to show the WIP. If i dont then you can add me to the list of quitters and crayoneyes can spam this topic with "I told u so" (i know you want to )
Lance signing out.

 

k tron is the only one ive met so far that has a custom lappy almost built. he will help u anyway he can. he is really good and i do wish he built custom laptops for people hint hint ktron lol

 

Nahh,,, I don't want to
I really want to see someone successfully made the smallest possible DIY self-build laptop, I think it'll be awesome since most of self-built laptops I've seen look like integrated desktop-LCD-keyboard instead of a laptop.
But seeing you wanted to go with desktop components inside Dell 14" form,
I have to say that's almost impossible. In laptop you'll meet space-power-heat problems
But you got the steps right, I suggest you disassemble everthing off your laptop, and maybe another laptop, and another ones ..and see of you can manage to overcome the space-power-heat problem. Goodluck!

 

this is the first thing i thought of after my first laptop, a ibm t23 died.

what interesting is that there isnt really a thin line, as someone said... if you think about it, there are desktop parts, and laptop parts and they are completely separate.
the only thing that has occurred to me where this isnt true is MXM. a micro or mini atx board that supports mxm sounds like a good idea... might even be able to use a laptop screen with it with lvds, who knows. but at this point, is it defeating the purpose in the first place cause mxm cards are for laptops?
seems a silly endless loop to me... but it makes me want to do it too lol

good luck.
you should use a sony xel-1 for the screen
or maybe two.