Submitted 6 hours ago by countrypunk@slrpnk.net to diy@slrpnk.net
Howdy DIYers,
I happened across a lovely dell inspirion 8500. They just don’t design laptops like this anymore.
Now, it’s very old. It has RAM in the megabytes, so not really usable these days. I’m wondering if anybody has put a new motherboard or somehow upgraded this or a similar laptop to be decent but still keep the shell.
You can upgrade the CPU (yes it is socketed), ram, and slap an ssd in there. Install Windows 2000 or xp or Linux.
empireOfLove2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 hours ago Do this + one of the ultralight Linux distros like puppy or similar and it’d fucking rip
Can you? Yes. Is it worth your time and effort? Probably not. But that’s rarely stopped anyone.
It is very doable - for someone with the right knowledge and experience.
You’ll need to create adapters or interfaces for all the peripherals you’re keeping - keyboard, touchpad, screen, etc.
You may need to create one or more custom PCBs. You may need a heat station to transplant chips to those custom PCBs.
Owning a 3D printer will help, because you will need physical adapters for many of the new components.
So, yes! It can be done, and it has been done with similar computers. But it is not easy, and it is not for the faint of heart.
countrypunk@slrpnk.net 6 hours ago
I do have access to a shitty 3d printer. Curious if you know of any resources to make a custom PCB.
HerbalGamer@sh.itjust.works 2 hours ago
I’ve only seen it done on youtube but pretty sure there’s specific software to design it and companies that can make it for you.
I don’t know much about making them, no.
I’m always fascinated by people who choose to do this, but I’ve never actually felt like trying anything like that, myself.
I do my own share of “because I can” projects, but none have to do with those kinds of electronics.