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#307403 - 18/02/2008 15:43 Impressive hardware hacking
andy
carpal tunnel

Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5916
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
This guy has managed to add, internally, to his ASUS Eee PC, the following:

USB hub x 2
Bluetooth
GPS module
SDHC reader
4GB USB Flash
FM transmitter
draft-N Wifi
Modem
Extra memory
DIP switches to power all the extra stuff off when not needed
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#307405 - 18/02/2008 17:13 Re: Impressive hardware hacking [Re: andy]
Dignan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12338
Loc: Sterling, VA
Okay, that is sweet. I want.

I've been considering an EeePC as it is. I'd gladly let this guy upgrade mine too, but it would probably end up costing as much as "real" laptop. Heck, his probably did too.

*edit*
Actually, you can get most of the memory parts he ordered much cheaper, and it would end up to be not that bad a deal...

Quote:
* USB hubs - 11.20 USD
* GPS module - 36.70 USD
* Bluetooth - 5.65 USD
* SDHC card reader - 6.45 USD
* Adata SDHC 8 GB - 74.50 USD
* Corsair VoyagerGT 4 GB USB drive - 90.94 USD
* Switch + Prototypingboards - 2.66 + 30.10 USD
* Intel Wireless 802.11n adapter - 62.69 USD
* Airplay FM transmitter - 14.98 USD
* Conexant Modem - 11.89 USD
* Crucial 2 GB DDR2 module - 106.62 USD (bought in Norway, that's why)

Total 454.38 USD - including shipping to Europe. Most of the cost goes in the system memory and storage devices. If you say I could get a much better, powerful, plain old, regular laptop for the same money, I say: Where's the fun in that?

So that's $454.38 plus $299-399, bringing it to $753.38-853.38. Sure, you can get budget laptops for cheaper than that still, but none that portable. Granted, that's a huge premium for a form factor, but if I had the money, I'd have to think about that choice for a while.


Edited by Dignan (18/02/2008 17:24)
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#307411 - 18/02/2008 19:20 Re: Impressive hardware hacking [Re: Dignan]
mlord
carpal tunnel

Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14491
Loc: Canada
Quote:
So that's $454.38 plus $299-399, bringing it to $753.38-853.38. Sure, you can get budget laptops for cheaper than that still, but none that portable. Granted, that's a huge premium for a form factor,


The form factor is *everything* here.
That's the whole point of the EeePC --> there's nothing else out there this small and portable with that kind of functionality, at any price.

And the "premium" for it, in this case is practically nothing, compared to what the much larger/heavier "sub notebooks" out there want.

Cheers!



Edited by mlord (18/02/2008 19:21)

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#307425 - 18/02/2008 23:41 Re: Impressive hardware hacking [Re: mlord]
msaeger
carpal tunnel

Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
I have the couple year old version of this one. http://www.dynamism.com/r7/main.shtml pretty close to the same size if I am reading the specs right. I wouldn't trade my R5 for anything (except the R7 I guess smile )
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#307426 - 19/02/2008 00:09 Re: Impressive hardware hacking [Re: msaeger]
mlord
carpal tunnel

Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14491
Loc: Canada
Originally Posted By: msaeger
I have the couple year old version of this one. http://www.dynamism.com/r7/main.shtml pretty close to the same size if I am reading the specs right. I wouldn't trade my R5 for anything (except the R7 I guess smile )


Very pretty! And at a mere $2199.00 (cheapest model), too. smile

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#307427 - 19/02/2008 00:49 Re: Impressive hardware hacking [Re: mlord]
msaeger
carpal tunnel

Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
And worth every penny smile
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#307433 - 19/02/2008 02:45 Re: Impressive hardware hacking [Re: msaeger]
Shonky
pooh-bah

Registered: 12/01/2002
Posts: 2009
Loc: Brisbane, Australia
I read that the keyboard is a little finicky. Too small for full time use and it's too big for the pocket. I'm still thinking of getting one personally just for the cool factor as much as anything - an ultra-portable like this is great for going away on holiday etc so you don't have to lug a full size laptop along.

To get the cost down a bit
Maybe 1GB of RAM instead of 2
Don't worry about 802.11n
Internal modem (haven't used one in a long long time...)
Maybe don't worry about the Corsair GT drive

Probably down around half the cost for the upgrades then.
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#40104192 120Gb (no longer in my E36 M3, won't fit the E46 M3)

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#307437 - 19/02/2008 08:24 Re: Impressive hardware hacking [Re: mlord]
andy
carpal tunnel

Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5916
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
Originally Posted By: mlord

Very pretty! And at a mere $2199.00 (cheapest model), too. smile

It is impressive though, it really does appear to be about the same size as the Eee PC (a bit thicker), same weight too. And with a 7.5 hour battery life !

I really don't understand why Panasonic don't market it outside of Japan. I'd definitely be tempted by one if they sold it over here.
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#307582 - 23/02/2008 11:33 Re: Impressive hardware hacking [Re: msaeger]
Taym
carpal tunnel

Registered: 18/06/2001
Posts: 2504
Loc: Roma, Italy
Originally Posted By: msaeger
I have the couple year old version of this one. http://www.dynamism.com/r7/main.shtml pretty close to the same size if I am reading the specs right. I wouldn't trade my R5 for anything (except the R7 I guess smile )


That is impressive! Very nice! Where did you buy it, msaeger? In Japan? I'd definitely get one if I could find it in EU! The best compromise I could find in terms of form factor/performance is the Dell XPS 1330, but this one seems even better!
And, I had one Panasonic laptop in the past, and it was quite good.
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#309152 - 15/04/2008 16:06 Re: Impressive hardware hacking [Re: andy]
bbowman
enthusiast

Registered: 12/05/2002
Posts: 205
Loc: Virginia, USA
It looks like he's at it again!

Now he put in a touchscreen overlay

http://beta.ivancover.com/wiki/index.php/Eee_PC_Internal_Upgrades#Touch_screen

I'm reaaly intersted in gettgin one of these to do my own hacks. This reminds me so much of the empeg but in laptop format.
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RioCar MK][a 20GB+80GB
'96 Saab 900s (Not any more)
Still looking for a good way to install in a 2010 BMW 3 series with iDrive/NAV

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#309159 - 15/04/2008 18:30 Re: Impressive hardware hacking [Re: bbowman]
mlord
carpal tunnel

Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14491
Loc: Canada
Originally Posted By: bbowman
It looks like he's at it again!

Now he put in a touchscreen overlay


Cool. Somebody here in town was selling one with a touchscreen for CDN$375 yesterday.. I mused about getting it, but.. busy.

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