I'd like to build my own notebook, if possible. You can build a desktop system by buying a motherboard, case, components, and so on. Why can't I do the same for a laptop? Where can I get such parts?

James St. James

Building your own notebook is a great idea in theory, but doesn't work out in practice. Desktop systems are easy to build because form factors and pin-out specifications conform, for the most part, to accepted standards.

The notebook market is just the opposite, and designs are proprietary to the extreme. Engineers work so hard to maximize space and minimize weight that parts are often not interchangeable between models from the same company, or even within the same product line. As a result, there are few practical upgrades and modifications you can make to a notebook, especially when compared with a desktop system.