Question Portable handheld out of old laptop

[maxiboy315]

Hello folks !
I'm planning to take an old laptop to turn it into a handheld gaming device
But I have some questions
1)Can i just take of the screen and replace it?
2)Is it possible to make it fit in a smaller form factor ?
3) is it possible to get a steam deck-like controller layout ? (without trackpads).

Is it possible to make this around the size of an ipad ?

 

[Mrak408]

Hello folks !
I'm planning to take an old laptop to turn it into a handheld gaming device
But I have some questions
1)Can i just take of the screen and replace it?
2)Is it possible to make it fit in a smaller form factor ?
3) is it possible to get a steam deck-like controller layout ? (without trackpads).

Is it possible to make this around the size of an ipad ?

1. Yes. If it's with a different panel, check the interface and pinout. It can get tricky so ask about a specific one if needed. Easiest way would be using an HDMI driver board but it's less space efficient
2. As small as the main laptop motherboard area (bounding box) is
3. Yes. Easiest way would probably be using a microcontroller over USB

 

[maxiboy315]

1. Yes. If it's with a different panel, check the interface and pinout. It can get tricky so ask about a specific one if needed. Easiest way would be using an HDMI driver board but it's less space efficient
2. As small as the main laptop motherboard area (bounding box) is
3. Yes. Easiest way would probably be using a microcontroller over USB

With a microcontroller, do you mean something like an arduino ? + could i use the buttons from an old wii pro controller or should i get new buttons.

 

[maxiboy315]

Okay, i have an update;
Apparently, the laptop i have is a

Acer AS5755-6699 (LX.RPV02.051) Intel Core i3 (2nd Gen) Processor 4 GB DDR3 RAM 500 GB HDD​

Should i try to get this thing to run mostly retro games or should i give steam with batocera try ?

Edit: I have a better one that can run TF2 and Fallout new Vegas, i will be taking this one instead. And apparently the room needed is way smaller than the box so it won't have to be a chunky boy

 

[maxiboy315]

Wait, i just opened the laptop case, and i expected to see the motherboard and such, but i could only see the ram and some other stuff. I don't really know how to take the plastic off...
I'm going to ask my dad for advice and then i'll give an update.