As all you compulsive modders and gadget freaks know, there aren't too many devices that a well-applied touchscreen kit won't make even better. And while there's nothing really earth shattering about a homebrew HP Mini 1000 tablet, we don't see too many of them. As with many a similar hack, things are pretty straightforward: remove the keyboard, cram in some components (actually, the term this guy uses is "squeeze") and then fit the shell back together. Oh yeah, he'll need to cut a hole in the shell for the touchscreen itself, as soon as he gets the actual touchscreen in the mail. Did we mention that he'll be laser cutting the window for the display, the webcam, and the speakers at his school? Regardless, he gets into all that (and more) at the myHPmini forums -- be sure to hit the read link for some of that action. Who knows, maybe you'll even be inspired to embark on a similar project yourself. But first, check the video after the break.
Funny!! The only reason I checked on the comments to see if anyone has an idea where we can get the wallpaper!! I can care less about the gear. Unless it's a Tablet Mac of course!
Funny how fanboys are already screaming Apple invented the tablet... hrrmmm... remember the tablet was brought forth by Microsoft not Apple but i am sure they will have a field day saying they did. If you are a business person a tablet is great and even thought MS has not added the eye candy they are quite usable. Now if you are being sarcastic then you are excuse if not... obvious mactard!
Ah, I was just thinking about this! I installed the touchscreen on my HP Mini but didn't convert it to the tablet. Yesterday I just thought, why didn't I make a tablet out of it.
Another option that I consider is actually getting a Wacom tablet and installing it just under the LCD instead of installing the touchscreen on top of the LCD.
Hey everyone! It's me, Brian Timm. I'm really excited to see my project up on Engadget and getting some views!
@Leindurstit - no, it actually just shows a black background, but i thought this one would be better looking than solid black, now that I think of it, it could use a different background, I'll dig something up.
@Aguiluz - yeah, totally forgot to register, i have a valid key and everything, but hardware hacking is more fun than registering software
thanks to everyone with the positive comments... this was just something i thought of the other day and i figured i'd give it a shot.
Alright, well if you're interested in this project you can check out the myhpmini.com forums or you can go to my blog http://www.timmontech.com
how are you going to protect the screen from scratches? im not saying your gonna keep this thing in your pocket or anything but it doesnt take much for a magical scratch from no were logical to appear on your baby.
@Husher - Yeah i've been thinking about that myself.. in the short term the answer is to keep it in the neoprene sleeve case i bought for it... in the long term i want to design some kind of screen cover that converts into a stand to raise up the tablet... but i can't really figure that out until the main unit's done.... I might also mod the neoprene case, aka bust the seam open and put in a thin aluminum or steel panel, then sew the seam back up.
Hmm.. Isn't it just strange? There is a rumor that apple is going to announce a tablet.. And suddenly every company feels that if apple is going to announce it it could be a hit again like the iPhone, so they mimic it even before apple tablet is out.
just look at it, I am not saying it is bad, just pointing out how influential some things could be.
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posted August 20th 2009 1:39PM
That wallpaper spruces up anything and everything. Maybe I should hang it on my wall...
I thought about trying this but I couldn't find a good touchscreen to buy.
I always see this wallpaper around, kinda creepy dont ya think? What site is it from?
I have Win7 RC but somehow missed that wallpaper. I don't like any of the others but this one is cool.
Where can I download the happy-creepy robots wallpaper?
Where can I get the happy creepy robots wallpaper?
Sry for the double posting. Screw you, Engadget comments system!
Id love to have that Background on my Laptop.....
It comes with Windows 7. You can get it here: http://www.windows7walls.com/official-windows-7-wallpapers/crazy-windows-7-wallpaper/
awesome background :D
It's my fave background of all time!
"This copy of Windows is not Genuine"
LOL.
Funny!! The only reason I checked on the comments to see if anyone has an idea where we can get the wallpaper!! I can care less about the gear. Unless it's a Tablet Mac of course!
The wallpaper comes with Win7.
It's part of the Win & characters theme. That wallpaper gives me the willies....
The wallpaper was a pack-in included with Windows 7 RC.
*Win 7. This comment system needs an edit button....
Haha, everyone posted at the same time. :P
makes me think of dead babies..possibly in a dumpster. So... yeah it's disturbing
What's worse than 28 babies in a rubbish bin? 1 baby in 28 rubbish bins
my first thought too. He is using a very bad activation hack and the funny thing is it isn't hard to find a good one.
Funny how fanboys are already screaming Apple invented the tablet... hrrmmm... remember
the tablet was brought forth by Microsoft not Apple but i am sure they will have a field day saying
they did. If you are a business person a tablet is great and even thought MS has not added the eye
candy they are quite usable. Now if you are being sarcastic then you are excuse if not... obvious
mactard!
Woah, does it really force that background to show if you don't activate? Frightening.
Ah, I was just thinking about this! I installed the touchscreen on my HP Mini but didn't convert it to the tablet. Yesterday I just thought, why didn't I make a tablet out of it.
I wish my school had a laser cutter when I was there....kids these days don't know how good they have it.
Another option that I consider is actually getting a Wacom tablet and installing it just under the LCD instead of installing the touchscreen on top of the LCD.
What a gorgeous product too....
So, so awesome. And yeah, great wallpaper, heh.
-Daniel Contogiannis
Hey everyone! It's me, Brian Timm. I'm really excited to see my project up on Engadget and getting some views!
@Leindurstit - no, it actually just shows a black background, but i thought this one would be better looking than solid black, now that I think of it, it could use a different background, I'll dig something up.
@Aguiluz - yeah, totally forgot to register, i have a valid key and everything, but hardware hacking is more fun than registering software
thanks to everyone with the positive comments... this was just something i thought of the other day and i figured i'd give it a shot.
Alright, well if you're interested in this project you can check out the myhpmini.com forums or you can go to my blog http://www.timmontech.com
Thanks again for the feedback!
how are you going to protect the screen from scratches? im not saying your gonna keep this thing in your pocket or anything but it doesnt take much for a magical scratch from no were logical to appear on your baby.
@Husher - Yeah i've been thinking about that myself.. in the short term the answer is to keep it in the neoprene sleeve case i bought for it... in the long term i want to design some kind of screen cover that converts into a stand to raise up the tablet... but i can't really figure that out until the main unit's done.... I might also mod the neoprene case, aka bust the seam open and put in a thin aluminum or steel panel, then sew the seam back up.
here's a better gallery for all the Windows 7 wallpaper
http://www.flickr.com/photos/embee/sets/72157617274401628/with/3472984513/
The wallpaper reminds me of a more creepy, slightly misshapen Max for some reason..
Hmm.. Isn't it just strange? There is a rumor that apple is going to announce a tablet.. And suddenly every company feels that if apple is going to announce it it could be a hit again like the iPhone, so they mimic it even before apple tablet is out.
just look at it, I am not saying it is bad, just pointing out how influential some things could be.
anybody have as much fun as I did following his little pointer finger cursor with your own?