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March, 2025

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Macbook pro tablet mod?

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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
My macbook pro (2011 15") has taken a few small tumbles. Just a few cosmetic dents, but still annoying. I was considering getting replacement parts, because I am also going to do some upgrades soon too, like an ssd, and then a dock and display for my desk, I just got some speakers and a magic mouse. Anyways, my idea was instead of spending all that money just to make it og, I might as well do something cool. I want to convert it to a tablet, likely this winter when I can go without it for a few days (in college now). I am fine with losing the keyboard/mouse, I can get a wireless keyboard. My main Idea was to keep the bottom the same (so I can still access it and do upgrades/maintenance as needed), and then to remove the keyboard/mouse and put the display in facing up. Right now I am looking at touchscreen overlay kits. I don't care about making it fold, I will just put a film on the screen and get a case for it. I also realize that this isn't an easy project, but if anyone can give me any help, I would really appreciate it. I do realize the amount of work, but I think it is within reach for me (I am a mechanical engineering student, so I can also design a new housing etc.).
11 years ago
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uni-corn
Posts: 13846 - Karma: 651
........just buy a tablet?
11 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I don't want an iPad, I want the power of my macbook pro, and I thought that if I was already going to be upgrading it and getting a new housing, it would be cool to make it a tablet. I just thought it would be cool to try, and as far as a frankenstein tablet, I was planning on designing a custom housing and then getting it machined. I was simply wondering if anyone had ever even tried anything like this, I really can't find much on it.
11 years ago
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HungryHypocrite
Posts: 765 - Karma: 939
modbook pro has done it, just not 15"
11 years ago
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,705
He would probably have to spend more than a tablet costs just to have a chance at creating something 1/10 as useful.
11 years ago
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,402
Will you be able to create a touchscreen interface with OSX..?
11 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I know it existed natively in some touch screens when I made a mackintosh on my msi wind u100. I have also thought about using something like the leap motion as an alternative
11 years ago
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Wallisch_pl
Posts: 5260 - Karma: 1,022
why would you delete my post sir
11 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61880 - Karma: 125,854
Not sure why you would ever want to do this...
11 years ago
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Wallisch_pl
Posts: 5260 - Karma: 1,022
yeah but...still
11 years ago
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1337
Posts: 31077 - Karma: 29,653
Touch screen overlays will be resistive touch screens, not capacitive like you're used to with iDevices and most modern electronics. The resistive require pressure to figure out where you're pushing on the screen, which is a real pain in the ass, not very accurate, not able to accept multi-touch gestures, and slugish. I would say look at other pre-made laptops already set up for what you're trying to accomplish. Sorry to burst your bubble
11 years ago
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,348
the less posts we have to read of yours the better. thats why.
11 years ago
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Wallisch_pl
Posts: 5260 - Karma: 1,022
clearly!
11 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I just thought it might be something to look into, because it replacing the housing is already expensive, so if I was already spending that much money, I might as well do something cool. I've thought tablets are cool, but I want something with serious power that can run full versions of premiere, photoshop, and lightroom. I know it will be an absurd amount of work, but it was just something I wanted to look into
11 years ago
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1337
Posts: 31077 - Karma: 29,653
Don't start with a laptop then. It's not THAT much power if you want it to be a workhorse.

I guess a good starting point would be something like DIY touch tables or touch computers. I doubt you'd be able to craft something portable but possibly create something cool (like the giant microsoft surface tablets seen in this video)

11 years ago
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