Building a laptop. How easy?

[MontanaFX]

I completed my 1st PC build back in Sept, so I have some knowledge in the field. I was wondering how much more difficult it would be to build a laptop?

[unknown555525]

By that do you mean getting a barebones laptop and building it that way?

That's the way mine was built, and I'd say it's easier than building a desktop because everything is already pre-set up. In a notebook, only certain parts work, and it's all straitforward.

If you actually just want to build all the parts yourself, create your own case etc.. Well, that's either never going to happen, or you already work in a notebook factory.

[MontanaFX]

Ah. So bare-bones is the only option. Thats what I feared, coz the chances are, you dont save that much money opposed to buying it pre-built. *Investigates*

[RAID]

what i've 'read' is that you would save money building it yourself if its a high end laptop (think over $2k).

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by RAID

what i've 'read' is that you would save money building it yourself if its a high end laptop (think over $2k).

Yup. If you're thinking about buying yourself a "normal" laptop, you better go the prebuilt way. Saves you time, money, hassle even.

[MontanaFX]

It was just something basic for my mother to browse the web on and download music.
I think pre-built will be the right choice, for sure.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by MontanaFX

It was just something basic for my mother to browse the web on and download music.
I think pre-built will be the right choice, for sure.

Most definitely. And be sure to keep up with any coupon codes or current deals, as depending on what you buy, you can potentially save a significant amount. Case in point, I recently used a $500 off coupon code and snagged the following for $1,073 shipped:

HP DV9700T w/ 17" (1680x1050)
Intel T9300 (2.5GHz Penryn, 6MB L2 Cache)
2GB DDR2
240GB (2x120GB) 7200RPM Hard Drive(s)
8600M GS
802.11 a/g/n WiFi
Webcam/Mic
Lightscribe DVD/CD Burner
High Capacity Battery
Windows Home Premium 64-bit

That's much more than what's needed for a web browsing, music downloading notebook, but the point is there are constantly steals to be had. Put TechBargains into your favorites and check it often, or sort by notebook deals. With a little bit of deal hunting, you can pick your mother up a respectable performer for around $500, give or take.

[Capper]

I've had an article about upgrading a notebook sitting on the server for six months......waiting for ASUS to get back to me with soem BIOS updates for memory support.

Back on topic, its not that hard at all, whats hard is making it really worth it, as buying the individual components is likely more expensive then buying them in bulk like companies that produce them do.

My suggestion would really be to buy a current notebook thats on sale at your favorite retailer, then add some memory and a faster/larger HDD.

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

Most definitely. And be sure to keep up with any coupon codes or current deals, as depending on what you buy, you can potentially save a significant amount. Case in point, I recently used a $500 off coupon code and snagged the following for $1,073 shipped:

Very true. When I purchased my HP dv6500t Special Edition notebook back in November of 2007, I paid $1,200 for it (fully tricked out) after using a 30% off coupon found at NotebookReview's notebook and tech bargains forum area. You can read the reivew I wrote on it HERE.

As a side note, building a laptop (or whitebook as they have come to be called) has never been easier. Companies like Asus, COMPAL, Sager, and Clevo are reknown for providing quality whitebooks to people looking to build their own laptops. Once the whitebook is purchased, all that is needed is the RAM, HDD, videocard (although sometimes included if it's not MXM based), and the CPU.

It's worth mentioning that computer companies such as CyberPowerPC and even the expensive boutique builders like Hypersonic, Falcon Northwest, Alienware and Voodoo, all use the same base whitebook models for their various notebooks offerings. For example, the Xplorer X5-C90S Pro notebook that CyberPowerPC sells is based off the Asus C90 whitebook, and the Sager NP2090 is based off the Compal IFL90 whitebook.

The potential to build your own laptop is there, it just takes time, research, and a fair bit of computer knowledge to put one together. But, as was echoed earlier in this thread, I'd go the pre-built route or have it configured and built for you by a third party. Warranty and support aside, it will also have a pre-loaded OS with all relevant drivers installed.

[MontanaFX]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

Most definitely. And be sure to keep up with any coupon codes or current deals, as depending on what you buy, you can potentially save a significant amount. Case in point, I recently used a $500 off coupon code and snagged the following for $1,073 shipped:

HP DV9700T w/ 17" (1680x1050)
Intel T9300 (2.5GHz Penryn, 6MB L2 Cache)
2GB DDR2
240GB (2x120GB) 7200RPM Hard Drive(s)
8600M GS
802.11 a/g/n WiFi
Webcam/Mic
Lightscribe DVD/CD Burner
High Capacity Battery
Windows Home Premium 64-bit

That's much more than what's needed for a web browsing, music downloading notebook, but the point is there are constantly steals to be had. Put TechBargains into your favorites and check it often, or sort by notebook deals. With a little bit of deal hunting, you can pick your mother up a respectable performer for around $500, give or take.

O_o Thats astonishing. I will defiently be looking out for online coupons. I didnt realise their potential.

Unfortunately TechBargins seems to be US only. I will need to find a UK based equivalent.

Thanx for the heads up.