13. Modified computer

<Intro>

With a broken but usable laptop and an external screen, I thought to myself what can I do to recycle it, then it clicked; make your own PC that looks all compact. Basically, this is the complete modification for converting the broken laptop to a conventional desktop computer. Of course, there are wires partially exposed (since I can't find a proper housing), but all the wires are all compacted together without all the mess that can hang out, and ruin the look of the PC. And finally, despite it looking like a strange prototype, it still functions like any other desktop computer.

<It works>

 

<Build>

When I used the laptop for some time, it reached to the point where the LCD screen is making horizontal lines. It goes off with a few lines on screens, but over time, it has gone on to completely cover the screen, making it unusable for a display, almost like the screen is aging. What is surprising is that the laptop still works, and when I connect the external screen to it, it can display it like normal, so without any hesitation, I start setting up the parts for this project. 

I first took apart the laptop itself, making sure I didn't break the components on it, and with the external screen, I made a few modifications so it can hold the laptop motherboard to the back of the screen using zip ties and screws. In addition, I used the laptop cooler body as a way to cover the laptop motherboard(shown below). This results in it looking off on the back view, but on the front view, it does look amazing.

<Back view>

Power-wise, the power supply of both the monitor and the motherboard goes separately since there aren't enough amps to power them simultaneously. I did use an additional battery so that if the power went out, the laptop is still active, and so I can have it be powered on for a while until the power comes back. To have audio for the system, I included 2 external speakers for stereo sounds on the side, and a camera on top to complete it all.

<Testing>

<Overall>

In conclusion, despite not using additional covers to cover the wiring and the motherboard, it still does a pretty good job of being the desktop PC after those modifications. It also means that because I'm recycling the motherboard, it means that it won't go to waste, and instead be repurposed for such daily PC tasks!