Anyone who closely follows the latest smartphone news will notice two things: they are increasingly difficult to repair (thanks to glue, glue... and more glue), and spare parts cost a fortune. In fact, there are some models whose repair is economically unviable, but that doesn’t mean they should end up gathering dust in a corner. After surprising everyone with his 4K DIY projector, Matt from DIY Perks is back at it, turning a damaged smartphone into a laptop.
It’s a traumatic event, I’m the first to admit it: The mobile device falls to the floor at the exact position, the famous "Gorilla Glass" fails to live up to its name, and all the stress of the impact spreads across its screen and back glass. The internal functions remain intact, but both the module (screen + touch) and the casing need a replacement. Realistically, it’s not something the average user can do at home with all models. Many online tutorials exist, and there’s always room to improvise, but certain smartphones require special tools (e.g., the iPhone and its screws). However, there’s another alternative, less invasive from every point of view, and I dare say more interesting: turning it into a laptop.
From Smartphone to DIY Laptop
There’s nothing strange about it: The specifications of some smartphones match and even exceed those of many laptops, and Matt from DIY Perks (who already amazed us with his notebook reuse) knows a thing or two about transformations. The smartphone in his project is the Samsung Galaxy S8, a 2017 model with intimidating prices for its parts (200 dollars just for the module on eBay). The great advantage of that smartphone is realized through its hardware (octa-core, 4GB RAM) and its USB-C video output support.
In reality, the 'laptop' format is arbitrary. If you want to replicate this design but prefer the 'All-in-One' route, you not only can do it, but it will end up being simpler, eliminating the need for an aluminum structure (or plastic, or wood, you choose!) to house the keyboard and the rest of the components. The key lies in the screen controller board used as a monitor. On one hand, its USB-C interface enables a direct connection with the phone, and on the other, a small plastic mechanism lets it slide to simulate an 'ON/OFF' function.
https://old.neoteo.com/force-feedback-extremo-para-tu-raton/A couple of extra modifications to a powerbank and a Bluetooth keyboard for tablets, and the new laptop is ready to continue, but Matt highlights some limitations in his design. The first is the use of aluminum in the casing. The material is robust and relatively inexpensive, but in practice it kills the WiFi signal. By placing the smartphone on the back (with the magical Sugru as an ally), he not only avoids that problem but also frees up the main camera. Do you have a smartphone 'in crisis' with USB-C that you can't repair? What are you waiting for?
