When will we be able to build our own laptops? seems the desknotes are the closest thing to this.

that way we can upgrade the bloody things without going through the manufactuer

___________________________________
Corporate mergers should be illegal

Some of the local PC shops where I live have laptop shells (barebones) and sell laptop parts such that you can build your own laptop. Granted you don't have the flexibility that you do with PC parts, but perhaps the industry is headed that direction. I also think that manufactured laptops are more upgradable than they used to be (ie I've found that I can order crucial memory for my laptop-- I don't have to go through dell). So things are getting better, in any case.

My company has the resources to sell BTO laptops (I will not sell on here or give pricing). Check with the local resellers in your area and see if any of them have a Build to Order option. Check carefully what kind of warranty length and support they offer. Ours is set up so the user has the right to go back directly to the manufacturer even if (god forbid) we are not in business.

There are barebone laptops available.