Laptop mod? Can't decide

[NightrainSrt4]

I was bored just now and without a thought just started stripping my old laptop down. My intention was to repaint it as it is looking kind of dated.

Looking at it now, I really can't paint the keyboard. And I don't really want to touch the trackpad thing. Not sure how it would hold up after paint.

I wanted a white and red paintjob, or some variation. But the parts I have to keep are silver and a dark blue. Kinda frustrates me a little bit as I know it won't look right. Any recommendations?

I was thinking to take it and make it like a all in one desktop type. Lose the keyboard, touchpad, etc. and make a stand/enclosure for it and the lcd and have it like a desktop. But Im not sure if I would use it. I don't use the laptop as it is though. Its not a bad laptop

1.8Ghz Pentium M
512Mb ram
40gig hdd
15" lcd
dvd-rom cdrw

Was Highend when I got it a long time ago. Just not sure if I should just paint it or do a whole build with it. Ideas?

[Greco101]

Pics?

[NightrainSrt4]

Ya I forgot to take a baseline pic before I tore it apart. I searched all through google for a pic of it, but couldn't find a damn thing.

Its from like 2002 or something, so its pretty old.

But if you can find a pic the model is HP xz163 I believe.

I would try and paint the keys, but I didn't realize how slim this keyboard is. Ive taken apart others that were easy to remove and replace keys, but I don't think I can do that on this one.

Is the touch pad paintable? It has a coat of something on it, just not sure if they hold up to a couple coats of paint.

[Bopher]

Bucko did a mod where he covered over the touchpad with a vinyl sticker or something.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11211&highlight=laptop+mod

I don't know if paint would kill it though. Just my 2 cents.

[NightrainSrt4]

Hmmm... I remember that one. That might be an option.

As of right now I was supposed to be painting the case. But...apparently we have some big snow storm that I didn't know about lol. So no painting for me for a few days.

Hopefully no screws get lost in the next couple days.

On that note, I also forgot to label the screws. But most look exactly the same so hopefully that wont be an issue.

[TheGreatSatan]

But if you can find a pic the model is HP xz163 I believe.

I was gonna say that if it was a Dell, Mod it with a sledgehammer:banana:

[NightrainSrt4]

I couldn't find a pic. So I tossed the pieces on top of one another and snapped a pic.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9812/dsc01302ld9.jpg

Once I started painting I decided I didn't care for the colors I picked out. LMAO. Actually I never wanted to do this to begin with. I got bored and just started to rip it apart lol. When its all painted I will get some pics up in the right section. Right now its snowing again so no painting once again.

If I don't like it when its all done, I will rip it all apart again and build an all in one desktop unit.

Pics to come when it gets done. Still wondering about painting the touch pad and such. Anyone can chime in on that if they know anything.

[The Arbiter]

I would not paint the touchpad, though some type of dye might work. Depends on what it is made of I s'pose

[NightrainSrt4]

Ya I don't think I will be painting the pad. Half of the laptop is painted as of now. With the holidays and everything my work area was overtaken by the christmas tree.

I actually didn't change the look of it by all that much. For some reason I thought all blue would look good so I went with a metallic blue. The specks are so tiny though its hard to tell its metallic unless its under direct light.

I left the touchpad and the two buttons silver. So its still silver and blue lmao. Eventually I might turn it into a all in one pc. But for now I am going to get the paint finished and then put back together and work on some of the other projects I have.

Edit: And welcome to TBCS. Take a look around, find some ideas, and get modding!

[The Arbiter]

Edit: And welcome to TBCS. Take a look around, find some ideas, and get modding!

Thanks ! I have been lurking here for a while...drooling over y'alls pictures. LOL

Have done some light modding...mostly paint and CCFLs. Waiting on either a winning lotto ticket, (or just a better job) then look out.

[DeuceX]

I assume you are not painting the keyboard because you do not want to loose key lettering? Is that is the case you can always paint or what ever finish you choose on the keys and then use a printable transfer sheet on them (one sheet would probably do).