How to Build Your Own Laptop Cheaply

Build a laptop for cheap from a "barebone."

You can build your own cheap laptop by customizing a skeleton structure known as a "barebone"---a hollow laptop casing with only the motherboard, display screen, keyboard and optical drives installed. Building a laptop by attaching components to a barebone is cheaper than buying a brand-name laptop of comparable performance. Customizing also gives you the advantage of choosing your own internal components. Users may install different components based on their needs; for example, a gamer may choose to add a high-end video card, whereas another user may opt for more basic multimedia capabilities. You may build a do-it-yourself laptop by purchasing a barebone from manufacturers such as MSI or ASUS, and then adding a processor, video card, hard disk drive and memory modules.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Product manual
• Processor
• Hard disk drive
• RAM modules
• Video card
• Wireless card
• Mounting bracket

Instructions

1. Obtain components for the laptop. Refer to your barebone documentation or visit the manufacturer's website before you buy internal components. Not all motherboards support all devices. If you try to install an incompatible component, you may damage both the port and the device.

2. Mount the processor. Turn the laptop over and locate the plastic shell covering the CPU slot at the bottom. Unscrew and remove the cover to expose the slot. Depending on the manufacturer and model of the barebone, you may or may not have to dismount internal components blocking access to the CPU slot. Carefully remove any obtrusive components, taking care not to disconnect any wires. Align the CPU with corresponding pins and gently lower it on the slot; slowly push the CPU down all the way so that it is held firmly in place. Reattach any components you removed. Finally, put the plastic shell back and screw on tightly.

3. Install memory modules (RAM). Remove the casing at the bottom of the laptop to access the memory slots. Orient the modules so that their ends are aligned and the teeth correspond to notches on the slot. Hold the module at a 45 degree angle and gently push it in. You will hear a click as it snaps into place. Install all modules in the same way.

4. Place the wireless (WiFi) card on its chamber. Remove the cover to expose the slot and locate two color-coded wires. Connect the wires to corresponding ports on the wireless card and reattach the plastic cover. You may have to hold the card in place by screws or another locking mechanism, such as clips.

5. Mount the hard disk drive. Before you can physically install the drive, you will have to firmly attach it to a metal mounting bracket. Insert the drive into the bracket and put in screws. Place the drive in its chamber and screw the walls of the bracket to the sides of the chamber. Connect the hard disk to the motherboard with its cable.

6. Install the video card (graphics adapter). Align the device's teeth with notches on the motherboard slot, and hold it at a 45 degree angle. Push the card until its teeth go all the way in. Cover up the slot and insert the battery.

Tips & Warnings

• Refer to your documentation for any specific instructions.

• Do not install an incompatible component.

References

• Directron: DIY Laptop/Notebook Computer
• PC Articles: How to Assemble a Barebone PC