News Antec launches standardised laptop parts

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/08/20/antec-launches-standardised-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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

at last!!

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

@ 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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...

 

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...

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

Now, that woud be great
Building my own laptop as I did with my pc? w00t

 

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 !