Sourcing unusual hardware

[scaryjim]

My laptop is currently dying (first the graphics, and now the wireless, have given out), and while I'm hoping I might be able to ressurect it with a certain amount of care and attention, it made sense to see if there was any way to get canibalise a working system out of the removable components.

A quick google search allowed me to determine that there are one or two appropriate mini-itx motherboards out there (e.g. the Biostar A690E-IS), but I've no idea how to go about sourcing one. No amount of cunning googling has turned up any for sale online, so what would my next step be? Should I talk to the local shops and see if they can turn one up, email people like Scan / Ebuyer /Novatech etc., or is there another approach I haven't thought of?

[Lee H]

Just email with what your looking for and they should be able to check to see if the item is available to them through their suppliers

[Funkstar]

If you can't find that partiular product, find a retailer that at least stocks other items by that vendor, then ask them if they can get the board.

I've done this in the past, has worked out quite well at times.

[scaryjim]

Cool, thanks for the advice guys - nice to know I wasn't missing something obvious!