The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Ease of Barebone Systems?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by camsimple, Aug 5, 2006.

  1. camsimple

    camsimple Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    22
    Messages:
    595
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I would like to purchase a Compal HEL80 barebone system from MilestonePC.com. My question is how easy is it to install the components yourself, such as the processor, dvd-drive, and internal wireless card? Those would be my main components. I would buy the RAM from Newegg.com which seems pretty simple itself. I know the HD wouldn't be a problem, I just didn't know how many people have actually put together a barebones system for a notebook. I would like to go this route because number one it's a hands on experience, and I can save some money right off the bat. Is there any special things that I need to be aware of, things I would be forgetting by just buying these components and putting them in?

    Here is the link for what I was thinking of doing.
    http://www.milestonepc.com/states/product_info.php?products_id=1311
     
    camsimple, Aug 5, 2006
    #1
  2. WuHT

    WuHT Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    197
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hmm in xotic (sp) 's thread (review on comapl hel80) he has a pretty well detailed pictures of assembly. check it out.
     
    WuHT, Aug 5, 2006
    #2
  3. camsimple

    camsimple Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    22
    Messages:
    595
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Oh, and another thing. Do instructions come with the system on how to install the components or do you need to just know before hand?
     
    camsimple, Aug 5, 2006
    #3
  4. Bhatman

    Bhatman Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    655
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Putting a notebook together is alot easier than putting a desktop together. RAM is super easy to install and the only scare of putting a processor together is the thermal paste as sometimes you can put too much or too little. Me and my friend took apart his Dell E1505 so he could put AS5, and it does get a bit antsy if you havent done it before(he was not me :p)

    Some have instructions, but usually alot of the steps are in the internet and as WuHT said, pictures really help aswell.
     
    Bhatman, Aug 6, 2006
    #4
  5. Gautam

    Gautam election 2008 NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,856
    Messages:
    3,564
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    I don't think that you would save money at all. I recently built an Asus w5J for a friend (he got discounted parts) and it is was not hard to put together. As others have said, its all drop in, click in, snap in. That kind of thing.

    As far as the money thing - the retail prices on barebones parts + processor + hd + mem will probably not save you money. The big companies buy in bulk, so they "pass on savings" to you buy charging less (since they make the profit anyway)
     
    Gautam, Aug 6, 2006
    #5
  6. camsimple

    camsimple Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    22
    Messages:
    595
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I think you're right, I was configuring two systems and the price difference wouldn't be all that different. Plus if you buy an ensemble from a reseller you might have a much easier time if you need something worked on. I think I just argued myself out of it, but then again I would love to try it on my own.
     
    camsimple, Aug 6, 2006
    #6