Howdy DIYers,

I happened across a lovely dell inspirion 8500. They just don’t design laptops like this anymore.

Now, it’s very old. It has RAM in the megabytes, so not really usable these days. I’m wondering if anybody has put a new motherboard or somehow upgraded this or a similar laptop to be decent but still keep the shell.

  • countrypunk@slrpnk.netOPEnglish
    0·
    2 days ago

    I do have access to a shitty 3d printer. Curious if you know of any resources to make a custom PCB.

    • B0rax@feddit.org
      0·
      2 days ago

      Nobody makes their own PCBs at home anymore. You likely order them from JLCPCB or pcbway. Look up KiCAD on how to design them.

    • Herbal Gamer@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      I’ve only seen it done on youtube but pretty sure there’s specific software to design it and companies that can make it for you.

    • actionjbone@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      I don’t know much about making them, no.

      I’m always fascinated by people who choose to do this, but I’ve never actually felt like trying anything like that, myself.

      I do my own share of “because I can” projects, but none have to do with those kinds of electronics.