Ben Heck's DIY Novena Laptop Part 3

In this episode Ben and Felix complete their mission to create the ultimate hackbook using the Novena laptop (A new open-hardware computing platform, flexible and powerful, designed for use as a desktop, laptop, or standalone board.)

[Samster]

Really enjoy the series, top work. Also the 'new Alyson' is a refreshing addition, she's doing a great job. Good work guys!

[jynx]

Felix must keep his excitement on the inside.

[theneroliveira]

supercool much like the old laptops size witch has a style of its own, I liked it a lot

[tyttuut]

"BATTEN DOWN THE HAT JIZZ"
Always wanted to say that.

[MrGeekGamer]

I don't watch this show often, but it seems like every time I do they're using a some expensive piece of equipment that I won't ever get to use.

[rtoast]

I'd love to make something like this myself. The Novena components are just too cost prohibitive for me though. Having said that, I did like this design, even though I would have maybe used a smaller keyboard (kudos to Felix for all that soldering work on 97 keys!) leaving room for a trackpad, and generally making the unit smaller overall. Good work!

[ninjoe]

"Hello! and welcome back to the Brick heck show!"

[samzx]

Put in a track point! Like on a think pad.
Also this is super sweet!

[wwShadow]

Another advantage to a DIY laptop is that if the SBC updates and keeps the same layout / connectors, you can just upgrade the SBC and you're golden. Faster cpu, more ram, at a fraction the cost. For something like a RPi, a $35 upgrade path. Since that keyboard comes off you could put a kick stand on the body part of the laptop and stand it up so the display is closer to eye level. Or have multiple screens which seems to be a $2K laptop market that is relatively untapped and basically out of stock for existing options. Or over engineer the thing and have a truly 24+ hours on battery laptop. Versus traveling with 3 or 4 laptops just to have the required battery life. Perhaps swap that compartment with a battery sled that takes OTS batteries. The glory of DIY.

[TheJedihunter]

Hey Ben thanks again for doing that for me man helped huge to see it all thanks

[HunterTinsley]

Enjoyed the show, but can you ask Felix to calm down next time? He's just so hyperactive and loud.

[stage]

The electronics videos are great, but I LOVE the enclosure engineering videos most!

[relikfages]

So is Karen the babysitter of the bunch? I feel like she has control of the show now.

[simplekbr]

I didn't like the way the project started BUT wow i'm very impressed, its a really cool build. Good job on the KB felix! would be nice to have an integrated handle for it to carry like a suitcase.

[Bobvanksy]

Why DIY when it's easier/cheaper to buy?

Let me answer that by asking some more questions:
Why write a letter when better have been written?
Why paint when you'll never be Davinci?
Why play an instrument if you won't become a rockstar?
Why cook if you can afford restaurant?

[ryanamberger]

As far as the question about why not buy rebuilt when you compare the price, it's the learning experience and fun factor of building it as opposed to performance/price ratio. It's not for everyone, but some of us would get a lot of fun out of this.

[NikolajLepka]

Shame the novena is so crazy expensive

[Sonicdude]

Soldering the USB wires to the chip reminds me of doing the same thing to a PCIe adapter card. Got one of those adapters that allows a mini PCIe laptop card to be put in a desktop PCIe slot. Adapter didn't have the laptop mini PCIe connection USB ported out and I had a Wi-Fi card I tested that needed USB for Bluetooth. I soldered a USB cable directly to the pins on the mini PCIe connector. It works. Was a pain to do though. Those pins are quite a fine pitch...

[olegcherkasky]

"They make a laptop with a single USB 3.0 output on it" - I wish Apple still had that ;(

[andrewkowalczyk]

That keyboard is pretty hot honestly, especially how it's modular