Antec launches standardised laptop parts - bit-tech.net Forums

CardJoe · 20th Aug 2008, 14:19

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/08...laptop-parts/1

Antec has launched a series of interchangeable notebook parts based around the Intel Common Building Block platform, which some see as the first step to home-built laptops.

Timmy_the_tortoise · 20th Aug 2008, 14:24

Hmm.. portability could definity be an issue.. I mean, cooling and air-flow are a lot more important to consider in a laptop, and if you can custom build the chassis, you can make sure your laptop is both small/portable and cool.

MrMonroe · 20th Aug 2008, 14:29

I really hope some other companies pick up on this standard and start using it. I would love to be able to custom-build a laptop instead of buying one with a whole bunch of trash installed on it.

Liquid K9 · 20th Aug 2008, 15:09

at last!!

I've been waiting years for this kind of thing. I really hope it takes hold, it would be fantastic

samkiller42 · 20th Aug 2008, 15:09

To be honest, think i would prefer to buy a laptop, rather than customise one, i'm happy building PC, because it's on a larger scale, and isn't so fiddily. Although, as MrMonroe said, i also hope other companies take it on board, as it allows more choice to the little guy. Asus, you listening?

Sam

UrbanMarine · 20th Aug 2008, 15:17

Finally!!!! I've been waiting for a laptop I can build myself for a cheaper cost I hope.

Anakha · 20th Aug 2008, 16:08

Didn't MSI have something like this before, in the days of MXM and AGP Graphics cards?

Liquid K9 · 20th Aug 2008, 16:36

@ UrbanMarine

somehow i doubt its gonna be cheaper... at least to start.

Personally I felt that theres been well enough stuff to make your own laptop for ages now. Just think of the pico-itx mobo, in the right case, with a keyboard/mouse you could make something that almost rivals the EEE PC's.

cyrilthefish · 20th Aug 2008, 16:37

To be honest while i kind of like the idea, i don't think it'll work.

You can standardise the laptop components, but at the expense of physical laptop size. It's only going to work for the much larger and heavier types of laptops, can't see it working on any laptop thats smaller.

That said, if they could standardise things such as the AC adaptor, you make a LOT of laptop users very happy.

xion · 20th Aug 2008, 16:54

for me the big win would be in the form of universal parts like power adaptors, batteries, drives, and a possible end to my pet hate - the docking station that fits only one model of one brand from one country! that cant be an eviable task "lesten Dell, you'll just have to lean to integrate ASUS' dock adapter in future..." yeah right, and while they're at it, sort out a universal charge & mini USB port for phones too!

/rant.

mmorgue · 20th Aug 2008, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMonroe

I really hope some other companies pick up on this standard and start using it. I would love to be able to custom-build a laptop instead of buying one with a whole bunch of trash installed on it.

I agree. It would be fantastic. Sadly tho, I fear it will go like this...

CompanyA: Hmm, that's a good standard, but it'd be better if we do this..
CompanyB: Hmm yes, but we think you shoudl add this...
CompanyC: Yep, but not that, that's too much.. we have a better way.. with this extra bit, you'll like *our* standard more...

...etc...

Until you eventually have various companies, all with their own "standards".. back to what we have today...

p3n · 20th Aug 2008, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMonroe

I really hope some other companies pick up on this standard and start using it. I would love to be able to custom-build a laptop instead of buying one with a whole bunch of trash installed on it.

Im more and more liking the way Apple do their machines, never any driver issues on OSX or windows ... this would be something (drives that is) someone would have to be in charge of...

Tile · 20th Aug 2008, 17:53

That's a very brilliant idea. In this way the laptops will be more upgrade-friendly and cheaper. The driver issues will become a thing of the past due to the standardization of laptop parts.

severedhead · 20th Aug 2008, 18:34

I'd be happy just having just standardised drive bezels and AC adaptors. Even if they pull that off it would be a massive step forward.
But having the whole lot standardised? Even better.

As Anakha said, MSI have barebones laptop kits available. But I can see Antec's new "standard" being different to MSI's, which isn't really standardising anything.

Tile · 20th Aug 2008, 18:41

What is needed is a set of standards that is the equivalent to the set of standards in use for desktop PCs.

severedhead · 20th Aug 2008, 18:53

Agreed. With an equivalent of uATX and ATX and the like so you can have a small portable laptop, or a larger more powerful one.

The_Beast · 20th Aug 2008, 22:20

It'd be cool to build your own laptop but I'd only do it if it's cheaper than buying one

cyrilthefish · 20th Aug 2008, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by xion

sort out a universal charge & mini USB port for phones too!

They're getting there on this part at least.

On a recent holiday, my family plus few relatives:

Devices that used a standard mini-usb charger:
4/5 mobile phones
2/2 sat navs

Still not perfect, but more standardised as a small device charger spec than anything i've seen in my lifetime

p3ri0d · 21st Aug 2008, 03:32

Now, that woud be great

Building my own laptop as I did with my pc? w00t

Xir · 21st Aug 2008, 12:14

Heh yeah...i go on Holiday by motorbike, i have 4 decvices (2 Phones, satnav and Camera), and the accumulated chargers are bigger than the devices !

20th Aug 2008, 14:19	#1
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,940	Antec launches standardised laptop parts http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/08...laptop-parts/1 Antec has launched a series of interchangeable notebook parts based around the Intel Common Building Block platform, which some see as the first step to home-built laptops. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

20th Aug 2008, 14:24	#2
Timmy_the_tortoise International Man of Awesome Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: County Durham, UK Posts: 961	Hmm.. portability could definity be an issue.. I mean, cooling and air-flow are a lot more important to consider in a laptop, and if you can custom build the chassis, you can make sure your laptop is both small/portable and cool. __________________ Q6600 @ 2.40GHz w/G0\|Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R\|4GB OCZ Gold PC-6400 800MHz\|Powercolor Radeon HD4850\|Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB\|Scythe Ninja Mini\|LG Blu-ray/HD DVD/DVD-RW Combo Drive\|Corsair TX650W\|Antec NSK2480 Pioneer VSX-417\|2x Gale 3010\|2x Yamaha NSP110\| MS304W Centre \| MS308 Subwoofer

20th Aug 2008, 15:09	#4
Liquid K9 Human programmer.. heh Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 3,111	at last!! I've been waiting years for this kind of thing. I really hope it takes hold, it would be fantastic __________________ - Subverting reality since 1999

20th Aug 2008, 15:09	#5
samkiller42 KEEP IT CLEAN! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Havant, Hampshire, England Posts: 3,181	To be honest, think i would prefer to buy a laptop, rather than customise one, i'm happy building PC, because it's on a larger scale, and isn't so fiddily. Although, as MrMonroe said, i also hope other companies take it on board, as it allows more choice to the little guy. Asus, you listening? Sam __________________ The Rig: i7 920 D0, Gigabyte EX58-UD5, 12GB DDR3 1600mhz, BFG GTX295, Samsung 64gb SSD, WD 640gb Black, Samsung F2 Eco 1TB, Dell 3007WFP, Windows 7 RC. The Netbook: Samsung NC10 Black, Intel Atom, 2gb DDR2 Xbox Live: samkiller42¦PSN: samkiller42¦Bungie: samkiller42

20th Aug 2008, 15:17	#6
UrbanMarine Government Prostitute Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: United States Posts: 1,010	Finally!!!! I've been waiting for a laptop I can build myself for a cheaper cost I hope. __________________ RIP: 3DRealms & Duke Nukem

20th Aug 2008, 14:29	#3
MrMonroe Multimodder Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 195	I really hope some other companies pick up on this standard and start using it. I would love to be able to custom-build a laptop instead of buying one with a whole bunch of trash installed on it.

20th Aug 2008, 16:08	#7
Anakha Supermodder Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Regina, SK, Canada Eh! Posts: 395	Didn't MSI have something like this before, in the days of MXM and AGP Graphics cards? __________________ Robert "Anakha" Johnston Going to Canada on Nov 28th! I'm going home!

20th Aug 2008, 16:36	#8
Liquid K9 Human programmer.. heh Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 3,111	@ UrbanMarine somehow i doubt its gonna be cheaper... at least to start. Personally I felt that theres been well enough stuff to make your own laptop for ages now. Just think of the pico-itx mobo, in the right case, with a keyboard/mouse you could make something that almost rivals the EEE PC's. __________________ - Subverting reality since 1999

20th Aug 2008, 16:37	#9
cyrilthefish Hypermodder Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Posts: 833	To be honest while i kind of like the idea, i don't think it'll work. You can standardise the laptop components, but at the expense of physical laptop size. It's only going to work for the much larger and heavier types of laptops, can't see it working on any laptop thats smaller. That said, if they could standardise things such as the AC adaptor, you make a LOT of laptop users very happy. __________________ AMD Phenom x3 720 @ 3.4Ghz \| Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H \| 4GB DDR3 \| ATI 4890 1GB\| 1TB Samsung F1 \| 64GB Corsair P64 SSD

20th Aug 2008, 16:54	#10
xion Multimodder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: West Mids Posts: 160	for me the big win would be in the form of universal parts like power adaptors, batteries, drives, and a possible end to my pet hate - the docking station that fits only one model of one brand from one country! that cant be an eviable task "lesten Dell, you'll just have to lean to integrate ASUS' dock adapter in future..." yeah right, and while they're at it, sort out a universal charge & mini USB port for phones too! /rant. __________________ "No keyboard found: Press F1 to continue..."

20th Aug 2008, 17:53	#13
Tile Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 376	That's a very brilliant idea. In this way the laptops will be more upgrade-friendly and cheaper. The driver issues will become a thing of the past due to the standardization of laptop parts.

20th Aug 2008, 18:34	#14
severedhead Ultramodder Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham Posts: 1,479	I'd be happy just having just standardised drive bezels and AC adaptors. Even if they pull that off it would be a massive step forward. But having the whole lot standardised? Even better. As Anakha said, MSI have barebones laptop kits available. But I can see Antec's new "standard" being different to MSI's, which isn't really standardising anything.

20th Aug 2008, 18:41	#15
Tile Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 376	What is needed is a set of standards that is the equivalent to the set of standards in use for desktop PCs.

20th Aug 2008, 18:53	#16
severedhead Ultramodder Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham Posts: 1,479	Agreed. With an equivalent of uATX and ATX and the like so you can have a small portable laptop, or a larger more powerful one.

20th Aug 2008, 22:20	#17
The_Beast I am The Stig Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3,211	It'd be cool to build your own laptop but I'd only do it if it's cheaper than buying one __________________ Rendering Machine - Gigabyte DS3L P35 - C2Q Q6600 - Antec New Solution Series NSK4480B - Corsair XMS2 2Gb - Sapphire 2600 XT 256mb - Seagate 'Cuda 320 GB - Antec Earthwatt 430 watt - Windows XP Pro -

21st Aug 2008, 03:32	#19
p3ri0d Multimodder Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 245	Now, that woud be great Building my own laptop as I did with my pc? w00t __________________ E8400 @ 3.0Ghz. 4GB DDR2-800 Ram. eVga 8800GT 512MB. GA-EP35-DS3L. CoolerMaster CM 690 Case. OCZ Vendetta 2 CPU Cooler. LG SecurDisc writer. WD Caviar Black SATA 500GB HD. D-Link WDA-2320 Wi-Fi card.

21st Aug 2008, 12:14	#20
Xir Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 526	Heh yeah...i go on Holiday by motorbike, i have 4 decvices (2 Phones, satnav and Camera), and the accumulated chargers are bigger than the devices ! __________________ SN25P A64 3700+ (San Diego) 2 GB DDR400 OCZ Platinum EL 2-3-2-5 1T X1800XT 512mb Sapphire 200GB Samsung SP2004C