Building a DIY laptop is probably at the top of the todo list for a number of engineering minded RISC OS users. Up until now, we've seen a few photographs and one or two comments on various attempts at crafting a 'portable' RISC OS machine. Wes Kilford has now gone one step further and thoroughly detailed his laptop adventure.Whilst we wait for the more ingenious A9home beta-testers to create or hack together a true portable computer, Wes has managed to pack a StrongARM RiscPC and LCD monitor into a rugged 15 x 12 x 4.5 inch (aprox 380 x 305 x 115 mm) flight case, with a keyboard. Unlike Rico's 'portable', Wes' machine isn't battery powered and requires a mains supply.
"Earlier this year, I saw that Drobe had highlighted Rico Naf's excellent homebrew laptop. I was so impressed with his efforts, that I decided to have a go myself. It's now working and complete," says Wes. He's also hoping to bring his work to the next Southampton Acorn user group meeting later this month, once the evening is confirmed.
Wes added: "Hopefully it might help others also thinking about making their own homebrew portables, and maybe even inspire someone to modify the A9home when it's available?"
Links
DIY RISC OS luggable - photos, instructions and more