- Aug 16, 2016
- 25
- 0
- 1,580
Hi I have posted this in another thread with a query specific to the touchpad but now I will re-post here for more general advice if I may.
First - background:
OK, here's an interesting project. I am trying to build a wooden laptop! Balsa wood to be exact.
Now, I have little hardware experience. It's just that my old MSI netbooks - a u135DX by name with single core atom n455 - broke. Well, the case has cracked and one of the screen hinges was too loose for the machine to be usable. But the electronics were/are all sound including the battery!!
And it just so happens that my father-in-law is a carpenter! Well, it's taken me a long time to get the work started by the laptop has been disassembled and the case handed to the man in question to rebuild in wood.
I have built desktop boxes before but I am now out of IT and in the world of education where a laptop is a MUST! I am now constantly on the move and use my laptop for everything. Fortunately, speed is not much of an issue (though I will be video editing on the machine!! I'm like that.)
Oh, the laptop will be running Mint Linux KDE.
OK, I have touchpad probably covered. My father in law has a dremel and knows how to use it in anger. Of course he does. But the electronics are all me and I have never handled a laptop at this level before. First time I have taken a laptop completely apart! I took photographs at every step.
Heat is a possible issue. My father in law has opted for balsa wood which seems to be a very good choice. But he knows his stuff. But, can I squeeze a second small fan in the case? Where could I draw power from? Can I add to the heatsink? I will be buying thermal paste, BTW. I all also ensure there are airholes everywhere, yea, even in the keyboard casing!
I assume fact this is a single core Atom n455 machine a help in terms of heat here?
Is it possible to fit a physical temperature monitor to the machine - like a simple LED or LCD thermometer so I can check while the machine is being shaken down?
Also, the MSI u135dx was considered 'chunky' even in its day and so is not exactly slimline. So even if my father-in-law maintains the original dimensions this machine will have some air. But I will ask him to add a bit more depth.
Do I need to worry about grounding the case? How would I do it in wood?
Any further thoughts, hints and tips appreciated!
I really want to see this thing fly! Thanks in advance.
First - background:
OK, here's an interesting project. I am trying to build a wooden laptop! Balsa wood to be exact.
Now, I have little hardware experience. It's just that my old MSI netbooks - a u135DX by name with single core atom n455 - broke. Well, the case has cracked and one of the screen hinges was too loose for the machine to be usable. But the electronics were/are all sound including the battery!!
And it just so happens that my father-in-law is a carpenter! Well, it's taken me a long time to get the work started by the laptop has been disassembled and the case handed to the man in question to rebuild in wood.
I have built desktop boxes before but I am now out of IT and in the world of education where a laptop is a MUST! I am now constantly on the move and use my laptop for everything. Fortunately, speed is not much of an issue (though I will be video editing on the machine!! I'm like that.)
Oh, the laptop will be running Mint Linux KDE.
OK, I have touchpad probably covered. My father in law has a dremel and knows how to use it in anger. Of course he does. But the electronics are all me and I have never handled a laptop at this level before. First time I have taken a laptop completely apart! I took photographs at every step.
Heat is a possible issue. My father in law has opted for balsa wood which seems to be a very good choice. But he knows his stuff. But, can I squeeze a second small fan in the case? Where could I draw power from? Can I add to the heatsink? I will be buying thermal paste, BTW. I all also ensure there are airholes everywhere, yea, even in the keyboard casing!
I assume fact this is a single core Atom n455 machine a help in terms of heat here?
Is it possible to fit a physical temperature monitor to the machine - like a simple LED or LCD thermometer so I can check while the machine is being shaken down?
Also, the MSI u135dx was considered 'chunky' even in its day and so is not exactly slimline. So even if my father-in-law maintains the original dimensions this machine will have some air. But I will ask him to add a bit more depth.
Do I need to worry about grounding the case? How would I do it in wood?
Any further thoughts, hints and tips appreciated!
I really want to see this thing fly! Thanks in advance.
/www.msi.com/Laptop/U135DX.html#hero-specification
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