In 2021, with AMD turning over to challenge Intel, and computers bid farewell to the toothpaste era, the speed of upgrades has increased again. However, when people upgrade their laptops, they find that they do not need a new upgrade. The processor is faster, but the keyboard and screen of the new laptop are even backwards than the old computer.
So, can you only upgrade the parts you want, and not upgrade the parts you don’t want? Can you make the laptop and desktop computer the same as the desktop, and upgrade the accessories at will?
Historically, many manufacturers have tried modular laptops and even modular mobile phones, but they have all failed. Is modular laptops feasible? Let’s take a look.
The origin of desktop modularization
For desktop computers, there is a concept called DIY, which is to buy accessories and assemble computers by yourself, while mobile devices basically do not have this concept.
In fact, in the early days of the development of personal computers, desktop computers could not be assembled, because in the 1980s, when the competition for personal computers was fierce, there were dozens of standards for personal computers on the market, and each standard accessory was independent of each other. , Incompatible with each other, IBM’s keyboard can be used on Apple, and there are many types of monitor cables.
Although the functions implemented are the same, each manufacturer has its own standards.
In this case, PC wins with standardization and compatibility.
The PC specifies the standardization of each accessory, the size of the motherboard, what electrical performance is the motherboard interface, how big the power supply, how big the chassis, what interface the board uses, and what standard.
Everyone implements this standard, and the PC becomes popular, and the so-called firewood collection is high.
With the standard, there is also the possibility of DIY. Everyone follows this standard, so there is no need for manufacturers to assemble, and users can assemble themselves.
As a result, the DIY of the desktop is easy.
Limitations of laptops and mobile phones
For laptops and mobile phones, modularity has always been obstacles. Early laptops can be upgraded, but with the development of thin and light laptops in recent years, most laptops are integrated and cannot be upgraded.
In terms of mobile phones, Google and ZTE have tried modular mobile phones a long time ago. Motorola and LG even produced modular mobile phones, but they failed in the end.
This is because, on laptops and mobile phones, modularity will encounter some problems.
First of all, mobile phones and laptops are mobile, and modular like PCs require too many accessories. Each accessory adds some volume, and the total volume and weight are unacceptable.
Secondly, mobile phones and laptops must be moved, and drop requirements must be considered. Modular like a PC, it is easy to fall apart after falling. This modular product cannot be used.
Therefore, the modularization of mobile phones and laptops has not been successful. At least modularity like desktop computers cannot succeed.
Modularization different from desktop
Although laptops and mobile phones cannot be modularized like desktop computers, in fact modular products have always existed.
For Apple notebook computers, a mold has been used for a long time, and the circuit board inside is only replaced. Apple’s mobile phones and iPhone7 molds can be used in iPhone SE 2020, which shows that the overall circuit board is modular and feasible for mobile devices.
Like a desktop computer, it is unrealistic to disassemble each functional module, but it is possible to replace a fixed-size circuit board as a whole.
A laptop, keyboard, screen, battery, heat dissipation, and various interfaces can be fixed, but the CPU, GPU, memory, and flash memory on the core circuit board can be replaced as a whole. Each time it is connected and fixed, it is not afraid of falling apart. The upgrade is simple. Just buy a new circuit board. For a manufacturer, you can design the circuit board according to one specification. A product can be divided into two parts: the core and the periphery. The core can be upgraded every year. This modularity is feasible.
