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Hacking Asus EEE

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the hack-on-this dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Torsten Lyngaas has published a set of instructions with photographs on his personal wiki that describe the steps he took to install $450 worth of extra hardware, including a GPS receiver, an FM transmitter, Bluetooth, extra USB ports, 802.11n, and an extra 4GB flash storage drive."

5 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. Honest question by Pojut · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why do laptops not have any kind of universal form factor similar to desktops? Is it because of the varying shapes and sizes of the cases? Couldn't laptop manufacturers just design the case around standardized hardware, thus making it easier to upgrade them (or are they already doing this?)

    For example...say I wanted to upgrade the video card in my old laptop (provided it wasn't one built into the motherboard)...why isn't there a universal way of doing this, similar to how it is done on a desktop? Cost?

    --
    Living With a Nerd
    1. Re:Honest question by Malevolent+Tester · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Couldn't laptop manufacturers just design the case around standardized hardware, thus making it easier to upgrade them

      And who'd buy a new laptop then?

      --
      If you haven't made a developer cry, you've wasted a day.
    2. Re:Honest question by wwwillem · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I would love to see (and willing to pay extra) if for starters standardization appears for laptop batteries and power bricks. Now that we (the world) are using for laptops for 10+ years, I guess nearly everybody has drawers full of old power bricks that are incompatible with your new and different brand notebook. Why can we standardize on 110 resp. 230 volt in our homes, but not on 18 Volt (or whatever) for a notebook.

      Notebook designers can still make their own power-bricks, but the plug and voltage should be standardized. Hey, VGA and USB are also common accross the industry, so why not the power as well.

      Same with batteries. Why do I have AAA / AA / C / D cells for my transistor radios and flashlights, but not the same thing for my laptop. Everex and Mallory should be ones where you buy your battery from. Laptops is now a mature product and the time is over where customized batteries were needed because of the constraints.

      I know of course why this doesn't happen, it's all about profit. But because it all ends up in our landfills, this is something where IMHO governments should step in and regulate. If they can regulate the CO2 emissions of my car, they should also be allowed to take on this.

      --
      Browsers shouldn't have a back button!! It's all about going forward...
  2. Corel Cache? by Razed+By+TV · · Score: 5, Informative

    There are something like 92 pictures on that page. I don't think his personal wiki is going to be able to survive the onslaught of /. readers. May want to corel cache that next time.

    http://beta.ivancover.com.nyud.net:8090/wiki/index.php/Eee_PC_Internal_Upgrades

    Hopefully it gets all of the pictures.

  3. Offtopic, but relevant to slashdot by e2d2 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why is almost every post lately labeled "what could possibly go wrong". Who the fuck is doing that and what is the purpose? Every single thing you do could go wrong, wtf is your point? Do we halt progress you son of a bitch! I throw my hate at you sir!

    That being said, what could possibly go wrong?