I have an MSI laptop that has stopped working, but I'm still fond of its large screen and comfortable keyboard and trackpad. I'm curious if there's a way to repurpose these components for use with my desktop, especially for convenience during lan parties. Instead of investing in a new gaming laptop, I want to make use of what I already have. Any ideas?
4 Answers
I’m not familiar with the specifics of MSI laptops, but there are companies like Framework that focus on modularity in laptops. They allow you to remove and upgrade components, which is handy! For your situation, while it won't help with your current laptop, it’s something to consider if you were to buy a new one in the future. Also, check out DIY repair sites like iFixIt; they offer tons of tear-down guides and tools that could assist with repairs or reusing components.
You can technically reuse laptop components, but there’s no easy plug-and-play option available. Compatibility issues could arise mainly with cable lengths and display standards. You're usually looking at using USB connections for the keyboard and trackpad, and something like HDMI or DisplayPort for the monitor. Ultimately, sourcing another laptop chassis for your parts might be the best route to consider if you want to get that MSI back to life one day rather than trying to patch together a solution.
Unfortunately, it’s not as straightforward as just plugging everything in. Most laptops are designed for their own setups and generally have HDMI ports that only output video. A better idea might be to invest in a portable monitor and a compact mouse/keyboard combo; they easily fit in a bag for travel and don’t require a complex setup. Plus, a portable monitor often has its own battery, which can simplify power requirements. If you’re still considering using the laptop’s parts, you'll likely need to find controller boards online to adapt the screen and trackpad. But be prepared for the hassle of dealing with cables and power supplies if you try to keep everything housed in the laptop's original casing. Not an easy project!
For real, I thought the same thing! It sounds cool but seems like it’d be a lot of work for minimal gain. Might just be better to let it go and get something more practical.
You raise a good point about the complexity of repairs on laptops. They tend to have a lot of integrated components that make replacements tricky. I'm curious, what's actually wrong with your MSI? Is it failing to boot or showing errors?
It won't even boot to the MSI logo, and swapping out RAM didn't help either. I suspect it could be a BIOS issue.
I looked into it too, and while adapters exist for some parts, the effort and time to set everything up seems like it would be more trouble than it’s worth. Just getting a portable monitor and a nice USB keyboard/mouse combo sounds like a far better plan.