Transform a laptop into a stunning desktop media PC (for CHEAP)

In this video I'll be showing you how to build a beautiful desktop PC out of an old damaged laptop for peanuts (aka, not much money). This is a great way to re-use old hardware for cheap, and it's a fantastic creative outlet. I used veneer to make it look like an art piece, but I reckon that leather would look nice if done right, as would vinyl wrap. Go wild guys!

New users can enter my discount code youtube2017 for 10% off when you upgrade to Dashlane Premium.

OFFICIAL LINKS:

[DIYPerks]

Judging by the comments it looks like the design divides opinion, which is great! The best bit about this is that you can design it to your own personal tastes. My tastes lean more towards rustic wood and industrial design, rather than RGB and 'gamer lines', but each to their own! Judging by the huge number of likes this video is getting though it seems that the vast majority of viewers like it, which is lovely. :) Thanks guys!

By the way, I may do an FAQ video soon, so tweet me any questions (not project questions... think more general) you want to ask me and I may answer them in the video.

Regarding the questions asked on this video:

*What are the temps like with the small fan?*
As the fan is small and spins slowly, the airflow is very low, but as the heatsink is so large it keeps it cool enough for a media PC. In general use it is unlikely to ever get over 40c.

*This isn't a cheap project, why advertise it as such?*
Because it's just that - cheap. The laptop cost me £12, and I salvaged a few bits to upgrade it a bit (like the SSD, which is an older model now so isn't worth much). The other costs went on the aluminium, MDF, etc, so I'd estimate the cost of the build itself is about £25 max. Compare that to even a low spec NUC PC, and it's tremendous value... not to mention it's actually significantly more powerful than a cheap NUC or PC Stick!

*Why not just connect the laptop to the TV?*
Boring. Ugly. Tasteless. Besides, I'm literally in the business of making cool projects for everyone to watch.

Cheerio for now!

[ihavepressence]

This guy has better designs than 99% of company made products

[sebacraft]

me: looks at my laptop
the laptop: please don't

[kavelab]

This Guy predicted the look of the PS5!

[ashteroid]

This guy sounds like he's filming wild animals for discovery channel

[iddqds]

This project will give you enough skills and courage to build your own full scale aircraft carrier

[stp]

Put an Apple logo on it and you could sell it for $5000

[itsaboveyoupleasedontlooku]

Guys remember to remove the battery from your laptop when starting to disassemble it. And before you remove the keyboard near the panel there's a wire that attaches the keyboard to the motherboard inside the laptop so carefully lift the keyboard and then where the wire is connected open the cap of the plug then remove the wire. This way you can safely remove the keyboard without breaking anything.

[zakfigueroa]

The way that 17:43 ties perfectly into 0:00 while both accomplishing different purpuses in the narrative is just mesmerising, clearly the product of great writing and self-direction. Quite fun to see that kind of attention to detail in a DIY project vlog.

[chiwo]

1: Clicked on Video
2: Ooh, finally I can turn my bad laptop into...
3: Welp, nevermind, this seems to hard.

[BlueRice]

next episode Turning an Old Desktop Into A Laptop

[AntonioNoack]

You maybe should have shown the after-temperatures as well :)

[Blueberry-rgll]

DIY Perk in 2040: How to make an UFO from a flower pot

[dougkenyon]

As a SFF PC builder, I want to say this is beautiful and also what a great way to upcycle a broken laptop. Well done and inspiring! You didn't even need a CNC machine!

[sambrodzinski]

This will be the 3rd time I have seen this in my recommended and watched it.

[kayl]

I would really like to try this out on my old laptop but I don't have the electrical knowledge and confidence when attaching things specifically.
Maybe one day though. It's pretty dope to have something like that attached to your TV 👌

[manjunath]

The only YouTuber who can convince you to fall for the sponsor ads .

[joshuak]

Matt is like that stereotypical pleasant neighbor who always gives cookies and decorations to people that live near him

[cuervacho]

"Our next video will be a bit more complex: we'll turn an old laptop into a horse. Stay tuned!"

[trolleycartwheel]

Honestly, this looks like a project you would do in this long quarantine month. This requires hardwork as well.