Standardizing Laptop layout for DIY/build your own designs

[tankman1989]

I've seen this question asked many times, "can I build my own laptop" and the answer is that it can be customized and there are some bare bones kits but it is nothing like the desktop/tower market.

This got me thinking about why this is and if there is a way around this. Most laptops come in 14, 15 & 17" sizes. Every laptop varies with placement of battery, drives, USB ports, HDMI ports, all ports, MOBO layout, onboard cards & other accessories.

My question is more along the lines of what components would need to be custom made and what could be taken from the existing market IF there was a standardized laptop case(s) and this is what I came up with:
Custom made for DIY laptops:
-case (top/bottom, hinges, buttons, thumb reader, IR reciever, wireless switch, touchpad, headphone/mic ports, webcam location, SD card reader port)
-Battery(s)
-CPU/GPU cooler
-Motherboard/GPU
-Keyboard
-connection widgets (USB, RJ45, RJ11, etc) attach to Mobo via cables & mounted in spaces on sides of case


Standard components to be used:
-HD's
-DVD
-RAM
-CPU
-Modem
-WLAN - wireless card
-mSATA card

Can anyone think of any other components that are required or used within a laptop whether they are custom or standard components?

 

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

Keyboard, Trackpad, and camera come to mind.

Edit: ahh you got those in the () above, I missed it.

 

[dombooth]

Screen?

Dom

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

believe something like this existed many years ago...cant remember the name..i want to say it was supernote but couldnt find anything.

 

[nlinecomputers]

If this was doable it would already exist. You'd never be able to make enough of them to make it affordable. Every laptop is a compromise in features.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

i never actually bought one but i saw them on pricewatch many years ago.

 

[trevm999]

I've also thought about this in idle time. I thought it would be neat if there was a standard case that could be easily adjusted for different setups. You get your standard form and then you can pop stuff out or ad stuff to make things fit.

However, now I've been thinking more on AiO desktops. Since it seems there are some standards for custom builds, and intel is backing it, that might be something fun to get in to.

 

[NYJimbo]

I've worked on at least 4,000 laptops and never saw a custom "do it yourself" one. Nobody wants them.

 

[JustInspired]

I've worked on a few Clevo and Rock laptops that are/were aimed at the gamer market. Big heavy bricks sold as a bare bones unit designed to be customised and upgraded to a point. Even the user manuals go through how to install the CPU, graphics card etc.
I haven't seen one in a while though.