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Thread: Modding a netbook into a touchscreen counter-top PC?

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    ALT0153™ Rob_B's Avatar
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    Modding a netbook into a touchscreen counter-top PC?

    It's that time of year again, my brain has been working overtime & I want something to tinker with (although none of my previous ideas have ever come to fruition )

    After seeing a few mods around the net & on lifehacker I'm interested in the possibility of modding a netbook into a touchscreen PC that I can sink into my kitchen worktop.
    Before I go and spend hard earned money does anyone have any help or suggestions? I haven't looked in great depth at previous mods but basically I want to remove the keyboard, flip the guts underneath the screen, add a touchscreen panel to the screen & sink it into a worktop.

    The idea is to have it running XP so it can stream music/video, be used for watching iPlayer/etc & allow net access. I could use an eee box with a seperate touch screen panel as I have space nearby & could just run cables but I'd imagine using a netbook would be a lot cheaper & it could be an all-in-one unit rather than having cables (excluding the AC adapter) running through the worktop & into a cupboard meaning I could remove it easily if required.

    I'm looking for suggestions on:
    The hardware.
    The touchscreen film (dealextreme have some that might do?)
    Anything else I need to consider!

    An alternative (& perhaps easier/more likely idea) is to sink a netbook/laptop screen & also sink a trackball mouse into the counter, this resolves any issues with a touchscreen & means I could cover it in glass to make it more durable.

    Thanks!

    Rob

    P.S I have a thread open asking for a cheap 2.5" SATA drive as I have a spare 15" broken laptop I'm trying to get working again, if that comes through then this might turn into a 15" counter PC
    Last edited by Rob_B; 11-02-2010 at 01:51 PM.

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    Technojunkie
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    Re: Modding a netbook into a touchscreen counter-top PC?

    There are a few sellers on ebay selling touchscreeen kits complete with fitting guides for netbook models.

    E.g. this one for an Acer One
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8-9-Acer-Aspir...#ht_2522wt_930 @ £39
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    ALT0153™ Rob_B's Avatar
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    Re: Modding a netbook into a touchscreen counter-top PC?

    Cheers, I can't look at eBay in work so will take a nosey later.

    I'm leaning towards the non-touchscreen option after looking around & seeing problems in installing the touch screens.

    Thinking a sunken PC, toughened glass covering with rubber seal around the edges & use it as media streamer only (for now) with a media remote due to having to use a keyboard of some sort if I don't go touchscreen (although I guess I still could use an onscreen one?)

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    Re: Modding a netbook into a touchscreen counter-top PC?


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    ALT0153™ Rob_B's Avatar
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    Re: Modding a netbook into a touchscreen counter-top PC?

    I knew I'd seen cheap ones somewhere Flibb, I'd been looking for the EEE though, guess that's an option if I can't get this laptop working!
    Can't see the ebay link at work, I take it it's a screen?

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    Studmuffin Flibb's Avatar
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    Re: Modding a netbook into a touchscreen counter-top PC?

    Yep its a screen, serach ebay for 12" TOUCH SCREEN MONITOR IBM SUREPOINT Model 4820-2GB
    obviously other touchscreen size and options out there. did see some 10" touchscreen on there someplace.

    You could also look at the R3610, its costs another £100, but is dual core, and can handle HD video.

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    Re: Modding a netbook into a touchscreen counter-top PC?

    Quote Originally Posted by Flibb View Post
    Yep its a screen, serach ebay for 12" TOUCH SCREEN MONITOR IBM SUREPOINT Model 4820-2GB
    obviously other touchscreen size and options out there. did see some 10" touchscreen on there someplace.

    You could also look at the R3610, its costs another £100, but is dual core, and can handle HD video.
    How much is that screen out of interest?
    I think something low powered would do, after all with a smallish screen I've no real need for HD considering its purpose.

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    Studmuffin Flibb's Avatar
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    Re: Modding a netbook into a touchscreen counter-top PC?

    Its 2nd hand £75 + £12 postage. Totally random ebay find, but there are options on there.

    try this link

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-TOUCH-SCREE...item35a6de79a5

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    Re: Modding a netbook into a touchscreen counter-top PC?


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