How to build a sub $1K HEL80

I am pretty hyped about the HEL80 and being able to handpick just about all the components. However, I am on limited budget at the moment and am trying to get a system going for the least amount of money.

I already have a HDD and optical drive, so all I really need is a cpu and memory.

Questions:
1) Will any celeron M chips work in this chassis?

2) am I crazy for trying to build this cheap of a machine at the start.

I plan of slowly upgrading the machine as better and cheaper components come out.

Help me find the cheapest parts to reach my sub 1K goal!

Thanx and cheers!

 

Oh yeah...The cheapest I have found a barebones is

MilestonePC @ $719 so lets start from there.

 

I have a very similar situation so if you get some solid leads let me know.

 

That's under $1000 CANADIAN? Ouch.

Okay, so you already have a 2.5" hard drive and an optical drive with appropriate mounting materials for this kind of laptop? You do realise that desktop optical drives and hard drives won't work, right?

The EL80 is only $699 at MilestonePC. Given that you have the hard drive and optical drive, you'll need a CPU and RAM at least. The Celeron M chips won't work here.

You'll need RAM. We'll go for one stick of 512M DDR2-533 for $46 at MilestonePC.

Milestone's cheapest CPU is the T2300 for $259. However, I understand that some places carry the core solo processors these days.

No wireless card because you are trying to save money. No operating system because Linux is available for free and you simply can't justify $99 for XP Home on your budget.

With the T2300, you are $4 over your limit (before taxes and shipping, of course). You MAY be able to find a Core Solo for less than $255, though, which would bring the price down below your $1000 limit. Really, though, you are simply better off saving a bit more. $1087 gets you the Compal EL80 with 1024 megs of RAM (a realistic minimum to be satisfied) and a Core Duo T2400. Again, though, this is assuming you have a 2.5" hard drive and an optical drive that'll fit. No desktop parts will and only those that work with Intel CBB laptops will.

 

$1000 USD is my limit.

The $719 at milestone is for the sxga+. Thats the screen I want.

The reason for the celeron question is because they can be had at the moment for way less than a core duo or solo processor. I am willing to use that for a little while until the core 2 duos come out.

 

Intel's Celeron processors are very low-priced at the moment, so they are your best option. A Celeron M 420 or similar should work. I'd also look for a Core Solo T1300/T1350.

As yamla said, I think you are probably better off saving another hundred or two - then you can get a Core Duo and a wireless card from the start and actually save yourself money in the long run.