Today, I began work on my custom cyberdeck build. The plan is to use a Lenovo Thinkpad (either a T430 or a SL410) as the base. I already owned a T430, but today I picked up two SL410s for 10eb at a junk electronics store.
I also picked up a Tiffen hard plastic camera case I plan on using as the case for the cyberdeck. I picked that up for 10eb, too. Then, I bought some hinges and hardware to attach the hinges as I plan on making a swing-out secondary screen. The hinges and hardware cost around 7eb. So far, I have spent 27eb on this cyberdeck. If that's all I have to spend, that's a preem deck for a preem price!
So, let's start with the day's shopping before getting into the progress I made. I started by searching some thrift stores for electronic scop. Couldn't find any, so after a couple thrift shops, I abandoned that plan and began looking for computer component shops. The first was a recycling center that I know used to sell components. However, they apparently lost their main technician so they no longer sell anything other than their previous refurbished computers and, oddly enough, granite countertops. Preem.
Next, since it's a running joke with my Cyberpunk party, I checked out Ribbit Computers. If any place would have some cheap components, I figured it would be the place that rips apart and repairs a hundred computers a day. I was primarily looking for upgrades for my T430 at this point, so I asked for a specific CPU I could install. The guy helping me got wide eyes like he had no idea what I was talking about, and then the gonk behind the repair counter said, "You can't upgrade a laptop. If you want to upgrade a laptop, you just have to replace it." Then, the guy working with me immediately began showing me their brand new Lenovo ThinkPads, which cost upwards of 400eb each. Nova. I was looking to spend less than 50eb anyway, so I delta'd outta there and moved on.
Then, I finally found a shop that sold old PCs and laptops. It also doubled as a bait shop, and the owner was pretty chill. He sold me the two SL410s for 10eb and I went on home with two 5eb laptops.
Now, once I got home, I began tearing into one of the SL410s. I discovered it had no storage, but everything else seemed to still be in place. Preem. I began tearing it apart, and soon I seperated the screen and speaker from the rest of the laptop before pulling out the RAM and CPU. (Unsurprisingly, this was easy to do, unlike what Ribbit.gonk might've thought.)
Next, I punched some holes in the screen housing and secured the hinge to it so I can secure it to the case when I'm ready. All in all, it took about three hours of tinkering, but one laptop is salvaged and parts are sorted, ready to be installed as necessary. As far as I'm aware, I didn't break anything, so if it was working before, it should still be good now!
So, lessons learned today:
-Tearing laptops apart is easy.
-Ribbit Computers is not the place for parts or help.
-Camera cases make cool looking cyberdeck cases.
My next plans include 1) modifying the camera case to fit everything, 2) making sure the hinge fits in the case and that everything can close properly, 3) installing the hardware into the case, 4) modifying the case so I ensure proper ventillation and have access to all the ports I want, and 5) sanding all logos away and replacing them with Raven Microcyb vinyl stickers/Kestrel 2 stickers.