Laptop Case Modding?

TechnoLust asks: "Ok, we all know how popular case modding has become. Just visit Thinkgeek for proof. But what about laptops? I can't impress that hot geek-girl with my ultra-tricked-out PC if it is sitting at home. But pull out a modded laptop at the airport and she may delay her flight. So my question is this: What places have /.ers found to get modded laptop parts and options? I know we've covered building your own laptop here and here, but I'm not really concerned with building my own, just modding a "mass manufactured" laptop. Of course, this brings a new element into modding (i.e. you don't want to run your neons when on battery.) I am also interested in knowing what manufacturer's laptops you guys think would be easiest to mod. I've had very good luck out of Toshiba laptops. The perfect laptop for me would be a clear cased Toshiba with neons around the edges. I know it will be expensive, but it's something I use everyday, so I can justify treating myself."

Comments

Maybe I'm just an old fart....

[john@iastate.edu]

but this sounds like a pointless waste of time and money.

If you have this desperate need to stand out maybe you could just run a USB cable through your nose piercing or something.

Delayed flight

[Anonymous Coward]

The only reason she might delay her flight is if you are boarding the plane.

Dunno if a custom paint job counts, but...

[Gid1]

Apple Powerbooks (the older ones -- Titaniums don't really need painting!): http://www.applefritter.com/hacks/laptops.html

I'd consider doing that to my Powerbook, but it has a history of catching fire, so I leave it well alone!

Unhappy Old Fart?

[TechnoLust]

but this sounds like a pointless waste of time and money.

Waste of time and money? Depends on your definition of waste. I drink Dr. Pepper soft drinks. I get them for $2.50 per 12-pack. That comes out to ~20.8 cents per drink. I can get water out of the tap for WAY less than that, and it does the same thing (quenches my thirst) and is way better for me as far a health is concerned. But I enjoy drinking them (I do drink water often, too, but sometimes I want a Dr. Pepper.) So is this a "waste" of money? I use my laptop for several hours every day, and having a nice laptop that I will enjoy, does not seem to me like a waste. I have a Sea-Doo that I enjoy very much, and many of the older people I work with can't understand why I would pay so much for something I can only ride 4 months out of the year. Because I enjoy it enough during that time for it to be worth the cost. Also, I enjoy working with computers and electronics, so I don't consider the many electrical/electronic projects that I have worked on (and learned from) a waste of time.
Also understand, I don't spend every penny I get. I have a few savings accounts, an IRA, and a nice 401k that I contribute the max amount to. But I make sure to enjoy my life. I have seen too many people die with millions in the bank, that lived their whole lives like paupers, waiting for the second Great Depression when they would need that money.

As for the desperate need to stand out, I mentioned attracting the hot geek girl as an attempt at humor. I want this because I will enjoy it. If others think it is "cool" then all the better. As for the USB cable through your nose piercing, I have no body piercings or tatoos. I am an IT professional and as such, I dress that way.

I hope I'm not coming off too "preachy" and I definitely don't mean to belittle you. I just hope you don't lead an unhappy life, with thousands in the bank getting moldy, because you don't want to "pointlessly waste money."

Fun at the airport

[stinkydog]

Bag Checker: What is in the bag?
Laptop modder: My custom laptop.
Bag Checker: (gets hammer and screwdiver) We need to open it up!
Laptop modder: Please don't I spent a fortune on that.
Bag Checker: (to coworker "Bubba") It's cavity search time.

Keep it generic, nobody wants to see "custom electronics" at the airport these days.

If you REALLY enjoyed Dr. Pepper

[John Harrison]

Then you would find it in glass bottles with real sugar. After being taunted by my family for paying $1.50 a bottle for superior Dr. Pepper I conducted a blind taste test at a family party. Out of ten people 9 preferred the glass bottle Dr. Pepper. One couldn't tell the difference, but after the blind test claimed to enjoy the bottle version more. BTW, this was conducted against Dr. Pepper in a can. The WORST Dr. Pepper in my experience is Dr. Pepper in a 20 oz. plastic bottle. I have mixed experience with Dr. Pepper from the fountain and from 2 liter bottles.

Now before you claim that $1.50 for a bottle of Dr. Pepper is too much, remember what you just said:

I just hope you don't lead an unhappy life, with thousands in the bank getting moldy, because you don't want to "pointlessly waste money."

Re:A wing like a rice car...

[shumacher]

Good idea, actually. Most of those wings look like good "car handles." Sadly, I can't pick up the car to test it out. On a laptop, it would be more aerodynamic, so it would be faster, and I'd have some way of carrying the computer about.