Laptop Handle

by jopensopen

43K2684

Intro: Laptop Handle

In this instructable I share how you can enhance your laptop's portability with a handle.

Here is my Dell Latitude CPI, 6.2lbs of heavy duty portable computing. At 6.2lbs honestly it isn't very portable. I had to get a bag just to lug it around in. Recently I realized there must be an easier way and the Laptop Handle project was born.

STEP 1: Pregame-Inspect the Laptop

Here I am surfing Instructables.com up at Dave's property. The project is about ready get underway. Take your laptop to a well ventilated area.

STEP 2: Gather Your Tools


1. Drill
2. Hole saw attachment

Pick a hole saw attachment that will make a hole large enough to comfortably carry the laptop when done.

Tools and laptop gathered, we are just about ready. We begin by removing the battery. Remember, safety first!

STEP 3: Measure and Mark

If you have a Carpenter's Square handy you can use it to measure where you want to make your hole. A level helps ensure that your laptop is level. Use anything convenient to mark where you want your handle.

STEP 4: Pick a Good Place to Drill

Having marked the spot with tape, Dave proceeds to mount the laptop on a divided surface to begin drilling. If you have two palates, use them, if not, any two raised surfaces will do. Make sure that they are low to the ground as you will need to stand above the laptop to get the correct angle.

STEP 5: Remember, Safety!

Be sure to hold the drill steady as the torque can rip it from your hands if you aren't careful. In this photo you can see Dave doing it right by securing the laptop and holding tight to the drill. Even after measuring you may need to eyeball where you want drill.

STEP 6: Let the Drilling Begin

We've made it through the cover and into LCD backing. Have a screwdriver, nail or other hard straight object nearby to dislodge junk that gets lodged in the drill.

STEP 7: Progress 1

A bit more drilling gets us to the front of the LCD screen. Drill carefully through it, slow is best as you don't want to crack the rest of the screen.

STEP 8: Progress 2

After few more minutes at the drill, you will get through the LCD and be into the keyboard. I know what you're thinking, "won't we need that later?"

No.

STEP 9: Clean Out the Drill

If the internet gets stuck in the drill, take a moment to clean it out with the nail.

STEP 10: Progress 3

Drilling carefully will get you to the core of the machine. Again to the naysayers, in this age of virtualization, very little of the actual laptop will be needed later.

STEP 11: Almost Done

Now that you are through the back cover, most of the work is done. A little cleanup, replacing the battery and we should be back up in no time.

STEP 12: Done!

And here we are, back on the internets, surfing away. You will notice that the overall screen size is diminished. At first I was worried about this too, but after a few days of it I found it barely distracting as I surfed my favorite sites.

STEP 13: Close Up of Finished Product

Take a closer look at the new handle.

STEP 14: Test Drive

Here's Dave testing the fruits of our labor.

STEP 15: The Verdict?

The verdict?

Unmitigated success, fully functional and stylish. After this project you will likely be the only person you know with such a laptop.

STEP 16: Conclusion

Here it is, the new truly portable Latitude CPI.

Now this project should work with any laptop. If you feel inclined you can take a dremel tool and clean up the interior edges, though the plastic was pretty smooth after all the drilling. I would suggest taking a moment with a vacuum and cleaning out the extra shards of plastic from the keys and screen, it will be worth your time though not strictly necessary.

I hope you enjoyed the project, best of luck on your own laptop!

82 Comments

techboy411 12 years ago

YOU DESTROYED A PIECE OF HISTORY

EdwardS29 8 years ago

Great way to turn about $1200 of computer into toxic garbage.

laptop_keys 8 years ago

Fantastic instructable on how to enhance the laptop's portability with a handle.

letstormdufield 11 years ago

Great Instructable! Worked perfect for me, but I dropped it the next day and it broke :(

IdealL 13 years ago

The lap top has two uses now:

1. It has a handle.
2. it is now a live video camera.

IdealL 13 years ago

Once you take out the internet from the drill, save it for a project later on.

your dog 13 years ago

This is actually an improvement from the other Funny Instructables (Part 1). You used your own pictures with a funny idea that wasn't just weird.

kbhasi 13 years ago

You're a big FAIL. I looked closely at the pic and saw that the power indicator wasn't on at all!!!

DIY Dave 13 years ago

That looks like the laptop I'm using right now.

bachterman 14 years ago

fantastic work! i think i'll ventillate my laptop like this, too.

Colonel88 14 years ago

Bring this to a business meeting. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?" You reply, "Maybe, but do u like my new laptop?!?"

gerthedj 14 years ago

Hi I tried this on my new alienware laptop and now it wont turn on any ideas??

SubzeroFusion 15 years ago

o_O GAAAAHHHHH. how could you do that to a laptop!!!!!!

spaghettibeans 14 years ago

I think he explained it pretty well in the instructable...

Warlrosity 14 years ago

This is great! I did ot to my dads plasma tv my mums acer mu sisters ds and my lg kp500
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