Cosmetic Keyboard + trackpad mod? p150EM

I am currently waiting on a Clevo P150EM that I plan to mod quite a bit using natural wood and stone.
I plan to cover most of the outer shell with wood veneer and inset a scale schematic of our solar system using thin slices of natural stone on the lid.

The thing is, I really want to keep this style throughout the whole machine, Including the multicolour backlit keyboard and the rubberized( it would be great to rid an otherwise awesome machine of this flaw) trackpad.

Is it possible to cover a trackpad with something like a thin layer of veneer without loosing sensitivity?

Would it be possible to remodel the keyboard keys, with regards to changing the layout of the semitransparent lettering on them? I would like to change the font to something somewhat more fitting and also add various symbols for keys that I add custom shortcuts to.

 

Wow that sounds awesome!

The questions you ask are slightly hard to answer as no one has done a P150EM mod before.. nor the P150HM. You are on unknown land my friend.

When you mention a thin layer of veneer, how thin to be exact? I'm pretty sure you would lose a lot of sensitivity if the dimensions is wrong.
And regarding the keyboard keys mapping.. that's a really hard questions, but I don't think it'll be possible unless you actually change the layout perfectly from within.

 

That's quite weird really, the sagers seem perfect for mods, with their pristine cleanness and awesome power'

I would Like to get as thin as possible, for the trackpad at least, I do know XoticPC offer cosmetic mods using a carbon fibre-esque coating like this:

Spoiler

So it really can't impart that much on sensitivity.. I hope.

I will have to inspect the keys when I get the laptop I guess, I might have to rebuild them completely. Which could be nice as I could possibly change the form and general feel of the keys'

 

Do not feel limited nor confused.

I do not own a P150EM. It's only based on assumptions and a lot of research, although a lot of my friends own P150HM/EM Clevo's

They do seem perfect to mod, and I would urge you to go forth with it, but as you might know better than me.. modifying the barebone would void your warranty.

- Carbon fibre polymer is often is most often epoxy, which can give it a slight transparent look to it when thin enough. Also epoxy can also be used a paint (without interfering with something, which is why several laptops and resellers offer this) SOURCE

- If the veneer should work, you might want to use the "veneer beading"-technique, which gives this thin layer of decorative edging on a object (in this case the P150EM trackpad) I'm not sure if will work 110% but if you have any laptop you could test this on, I would imagine it'll give you some kind of perspective towards the process onto the P150EM.

P.S. All the luck to you and have fun!!

 

I had not considered warranties actually, I guess I didn't really think that outer modification should void the warranty of the inner parts.. I guess I will wait a while to get to modding to see if any fabrication-related faults arise, beyond that; Well, learning to fix my own laptop would be a good skill to have'

I will try to do some tests;
If the veneer interferes to much I might be able to find a fitting, preferably matte, epoxy to use on the trackpad.

+Rep to you for your replies btw'

 

Glad to help, I'm relatively interested in your progress though, so if you manage something out make a thread about your mod, I would love to read it.

And you're most welcome, glad to help.

 

I will do that, for sure'

 

I actually just got it cleared by my reseller(mySN.de) that cosmetic modifications are ok, as long as I don't block the airvents.

( I just recently noticed you are Danish btw, I actually work in a stockroom near copenhagen ^^)

 

Sounds awesome I'm no reseller so didn't want to give you false advice as I wasn't sure.

really? interesting.. don't want to go all off topic so I'll rest it here with one final comment, how "near" is your near? I live a little outside copenhagen actually

 

Many of the resellers I had contact with actually shared your sentiment

I Work at Magasin in the Fields shoppingcenter, Right by Ørestad Station.

 

This sounds very interesting.. I wouldn't imagine the trackpad being an issue. The "carbon fibre" Xotic uses is a vinyl stick on I believe, and I know I've seen people putting screen protectors over the rubber track pad and not have issue. Mythlogic offers custom air brush jobs on their machines, perhaps they could provide some insight on other cosmetic modifications.. They're pretty nerdy over there too so they could have some ideas for your keyboard

I might check to see how tight the tolerances are for the lid. Veneer on the inside may mess with the ability to close the lid right. If you're mounting rocks to the lid, gotta make sure the hinges can support it as well..

No personal ideas about the keys. That sounds like a huge project in itself lol.

Don't happen to have a mock up of this plan do you? Sounds pretty awesome actually. Maybe you'd be better off making your own case entirely.. Not sure how intricate you want to be, but this wood (haha) allow you more design freedom. Might have to transplant everything back to the original case if your supplier doesn't approve of something like that

 

I have also heard that they mod the layout of the MSI Steelseries keyboard they offer for their sagers, So I will probably try to get some tips from them

Indeed! I will have to check that before I start messing with things, thanks for reminding me.

Me neither actually, I may get a MSI Steelseries keyboard, just for the flatter keys..

Nah, No mockup really, I will try to get everything right on first try, moving things around as I go on.. to build an entire case myself would be quite nice, but I fear I would loose the structural integrety inherent in the sager.. If covering it with veneer doesn't work I might try that.

 

Not so much cosmetic but still
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/681080-zagg-invisibleshield-p150em.html