How to Build a Basic Laptop

Building a laptop yourself is significantly more challenging and expensive than putting together a similar desktop PC. The parts are more expensive, there is less selection and it's more difficult to get customer service. Despite all this, custom-built laptops are usually cheaper than their proprietary counterparts, and creating one from scratch offers more flexibility in customizing the specifications.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Purchase an inexpensive laptop. The best option will be a refurbished laptop. If you are customizing the entire machine, the only parts that you will end up keeping are the motherboard, the optical drive and the integrated monitor. It's not usually possible to get a laptop without the other extraneous gear such as the battery, a hard drive and other components already installed. When building a laptop, there are no common options to create one from scratch.

2. Shop for laptop parts. Be sure to purchase laptop parts and not desktop parts. The sizes and specifications are quite different relative to standard components. Customizing a laptop is more complex than a desktop, as power consumption and heat generation are a serious factor in battery life and performance.

3. Research part compatibility with the motherboard that you have. Conduct an Internet search of the make and model of your motherboard along with the make and model of each component individually to ensure that they are compatible. Components like laptop graphics cards are particularly difficult to shop for because of the physical limitations of laptop cases. Be sure to measure the inside of the laptop to make sure that there is enough space for all the components. If physical dimensions are not advertised for each component, contact the manufacturer to receive precise specifications.

4. Install each component. Go to the website of the original manufacturer of the laptop in order to discover how to open up the laptop, remove individual components and replace them with new ones.

5. Test the laptop before and after installing each new component. Use your motherboard BIOS to check the running temperature of the laptop after every new component installation. If the laptop is overheating, clean the vents using dust remover, store it in a clean, cool place and consider purchasing a cooling station.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a basic laptop with plenty of physical room in the case. You will have more customization freedom, and there will be fewer heat issues. Leave at least a half-inch of physical space between each add-on in your laptop case to reduce heat build up.
• Avoid purchasing parts from unknown or generic hardware companies. Search for reviews of the make and model of the part you are ordering to verify it for quality. The cheapest part may turn out to be a bad deal simply because it will wear down faster.

Resources

• ComputerShopper: Building Your Own Laptop
• Chris Pirillo: Building Your Own Laptop
• LaptopLogic: Build Your Own Laptop