New laptop transplant/mod idea...feasible?

[LrdGrifter]

Hey folks. First post, so hi.

I've been thinking about transplanting my laptop over to a custom case for a few weeks now (cooling parts seem to be dying, and they're alot more expensive to replace than desktop parts - almost impossible to liquid cool mod). I've already got a hardside laptop briefcase, and I thought I'd post a few pics of my laptop and the case to see if any of you thought this would even be a feasible idea.

My idea would be to mount the mobo on the bottom of the case, covered with plexiglass. Cooling would be a water solution. CDRW/DVD would be moved to be on top of the plexiglass, mounted on the side of the keyboard and pointing device. The battery and power supply would be mounted behind the LCD on the top (vertical) side of the laptop with speakers on either side of the screen.

Before I really get much further on this one, I'd just like to see if any of you veterans think that this would be feasible without dropping more than $250 or so (no actual upgrades other than the liquid cooling).

Thanks in advance, people (photos follow)!

[public_eyesore]

that idea has been done before, but it was a full size pelican case, which was really sweet, but to water cool it? that would be amazing!! but I dont think it would be possible unless you extend the case a bit.

heres the link http://www.creativemods.com/index.ph...d=26&Itemid=39

[LrdGrifter]

The only reason I'm even thinking of the water cooling is that I'm not going to be using any full size desktop parts. All the parts that are going into this mod will be parts that are currently inside the laptop case (plus a wireless network card). I'll have to get the exact measurements, I suppose, before I go any further.

That mod looked pretty much like he'd taken a desktop and put it in a Pellican. I was pretty much thinking that a notebook's hardware would fit a little better since it originally fits into a case that's about 1.5" X 14" (minus the LCD).

I just don't see too many laptop conversion mods out there, so it's been a little tough to find anything to really go by...

Thanks for the feedback.

[public_eyesore]

if you do go through with it a work log would be grealy appreciated

[Xbrid]

i have also seen another modder put desktop parts in, but no laptop parts. good luck.

[LrdGrifter]

Okay, I've decided to go through with it, but before I put my good machine and briefcase at risk, I just bought a cheap briefcase off of ebay, and I'm going to use one of my old junker laptops to do a mockup first.
I'll start a worklog once I get the case and the acrylic in.

Hopefully this will work out well. If I can get the practicallity down, a fun theme like a James Bond case would be fun.

But I get ahead of myself...

[Xato]

It will take quite a bit of work i must say...
And i'll say, do u think water cooling is a good idea for a case which is 'designed' to be moved around a lot and held on different angles, etc?

[Frakk]

you gotta be real familiar with the components of ure laptop or you will damage it. if you dont feel 100% sure about ure abilities please dont try it because thats too nice of a laptop for the garbage. I dont know how much would you benefit from watercooling because mobile products consume much less power than desktop components. I'd say save your money and go with a couple fans and heatsinks, they will do the job just as well.

[LrdGrifter]

Hmm. Ok. You guys seem to really not like the water idea, and I have to say that was something I had in the back of my head too. Thanks for confirming my fears.

Frak: I've taken this damn thing apart to clean it out it isn't funny. Toshiba laptops are notorious for having the crappiest cooling on the planet, and when you get dust all around in there, things tend to start giving you degraded performance and shutting down. I know this thing's insides inside and out.

I'll have to start shopping for decent fans that have a small profile but move alot of air, I guess.

Oh, and the briefcase I'm going to be using for my prototype is an old style 5" high beast that cost me $8 including shipping, with the laptop being a 7 year old Compaq with a busted ass screen (a crescent wrench got dropped on top of it when it was closed), so I'm not exactly worried about frying any of those parts. It's the nice one I'd be sorta bummed about.

Well, off to Home Depot to shop their acrylic.

Thanks again for all the feedback, guys. I appreciate any advice, warnings, constructive criticism, or experience you folks can send my way!

[Frakk]

if you know it inside-out thats already a good start. you can use high rpm 60mm or 80mm fans but you will have to find a 12V source or use separate batteries. I assume you know how you're going to place and connect the different components like cd drive and battery to the main board. other than that everything is straight forward, dont forget to post pics