Open Notebook Reference Platform?

PsyQ asks: "While I was trying to locate a replacement CD-ROM drive for a friend's ancient notebook (and couldn't find one anywhere), I thought of a little something that seems "wrong" about notebooks. When your desktop's CD-ROM drive breaks, you can buy a new, standard-issue ATAPI one. Might there be a way to get this sort of standard to the notebook market? If manufacturers could agree on one standard platform with fixed measurements and ports, you could just buy a Brand X CD-ROM or even an optional Brand Y IR transmitter. It would also enable you to get a stripped-down notebook and customize it by adding standard parts instead of relying on the manufacturer to offer such an (expensive) service. Think of the price drop! Anything like that in the works?"