Any laptop ideas out there?

[mrspm2003]

I have an inspiron 9100, and well I want to do some mods. Preferable no cutting, but I need some ideas. I've searched and can't come up with anything, only mod that I know of is the dell quick snap lcd background to change from the oem dell logo one. Any ideas? Probably not gonna happen, but worth looking anyway.

[RobsMob]

Is it still under warranty? I'm not sure you'll want to make many changes if you're risking voiding the warranty.

Other than some sort of 'skin' I'm not sure what all could be done.

[kpxgq]

LEDs under the keyboard could be cool

[SprySpectre]

Give it a paint job, it's cheap and looks good, but if you screw up, it might not look so great... I'll be having my friend paint my desktop with a lovely Pink Floyd theme fairly soon. I'll post pics when I get them. It's gonna be good, cuz he's an awesome artist. If you got a friend like that (or are artistically inclined) I'd take advantage of it.

[ATilaptops]

Do you need special equipment and/or special paint to do a paint job?

[mrming]

How about a carry case made of lexan/plexi, finished so it is a one-way mirror? Stock the interior with LED's so you can show whats inside/better see what your doing.

Do 3 compartments.. left side taking up 1/4 and holding spare batteries/accessory cables. Perhaps have it slide out rather than a lift-up top. Center chews up 1/2 the size, flip up top for the LCD (also keeps you from having to take the laptop out of the case). Right most 1/4 would probably be good for CD's/spare media of various sorts.

No actual mod to the laptop, just a trick case.

[SprySpectre]

Originally posted by ATilaptops
Do you need special equipment and/or special paint to do a paint job?

Couldn't tell ya. I haven't done it yet. I'm guessing it'll have to be sanded and primed (since anodized aluminum doesn't hold paint well, I've heard) The only thing I'd be worried about is what kinda paint you use. Since my Floyd design will be fairly detailed, acryllic will do the job, but I'm a little worried about warm temps loosening the grip the paint has on the case. As far as I'm concerned I think it'll do fine as long as ya don't move the case around a lot or scratch it with a screwdriver on accident.

Laptops, however, are encased in plastic, which should hold paint fine. Don't take my word for it, as I've never done it before. Although, painting the lid (behind the screen) could be very asthetically pleasing...If it were mine I'd try it.

Originally posted by kpxgq
LEDs under the keyboard could be cool

Agreed.

[rabidmoose171]

You can use any paint, but really auto paint is the nicest looking paint, and its made to be on a car in rain and shine, so you know itll last...

[fbs1992]

stickers lots and lots of stickers

[SprySpectre]

Originally posted by rabidmoose171
You can use any paint, but really auto paint is the nicest looking paint, and its made to be on a car in rain and shine, so you know itll last...

Isn't that sold in spray paint type cans? How easy would it be to translate that into detailed work (without taping everything repeatedly). I know it could do a good job for a fade effect, and it's great for a solid background.