Abstract:
One embodiment provides a system, including: a base module housing comprising a top, a bottom, and at least one lateral edge comprising a top side and a bottom side, the base module housing comprising: a processor; a memory device operatively coupled to the processor; and at least one connector, disposed at the top side of the base module housing, for facilitating electrical connections; and a cap module housing comprising a top, a bottom, at least one lateral edge comprising a top side and a bottom side, the cap module housing comprising: at least one receiver, disposed at the bottom side of the cap module housing, for receiving at least one connector; wherein the base module housing and cap module housing are vertically connectable using at least one latch mechanism; wherein at least a portion of the at least one latch mechanism is disposed at the top side of the base module housing; and wherein at least a portion of the at least one latch mechanism is disposed at the bottom side of the cap module housing. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Users use information handling devices (e.g., tablets, personal computers, laptop computers, smart watches, etc.) as methods for performing many tasks, for example, playing games, generating documents, accessing online services, and the like. Many companies employ the use of personal computers (e.g., desktop computers, tower computers, workstation computers, and the like) for employees due to the fact that these types of computers generally provide more processing power, speed, and digital storage space. 
         [0002]    However, the bulky nature of existing personal computers have caused some employers to turn to smaller, portable information handling devices (e.g., tablets, laptop computers, etc.). However, unlike the personal computer, the smaller, portable information handling devices do not allow a user to easily expand the capabilities of the device. The large size and expansion slots of the personal computer allow users to expand the functions and features of the personal computer. For example, a user needing a more powerful graphics card can replace the graphics card in a personal computer, which is not easily accomplished with a smaller, portable information handling device. As another example, if a user needs more storage space, a user can add another hard disk drive or replace the current hard disk drive with a larger hard disk drive. Replacing a hard disk drive on a smaller, portable information handling device is not only very time consuming and difficult, but also, in some cases, impossible. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In summary, one aspect provides a system, comprising: a base module housing comprising a top, a bottom, and at least one lateral edge comprising a top side and a bottom side, the base module housing comprising: a processor; a memory device operatively coupled to the processor; and at least one connector, disposed at the top side of the base module housing, for facilitating electrical connections; and a cap module housing comprising a top, a bottom, at least one lateral edge comprising a top side and a bottom side, the cap module housing comprising: at least one receiver, disposed at the bottom side of the cap module housing, for receiving at least one connector; wherein the base module housing and cap module housing are vertically connectable using at least one latch mechanism; wherein at least a portion of the at least one latch mechanism is disposed at the top side of the base module housing; and wherein at least a portion of the at least one latch mechanism is disposed at the bottom side of the cap module housing. 
         [0004]    Another aspect provides a device, comprising: a module housing comprising a top, a bottom, and at least one lateral edge comprising a top side and a bottom side; at least one connector, disposed at the top side the module housing, for facilitating electrical connections; and at least another connector, disposed at the bottom side of the module housing, for facilitating electrical connections; wherein the module housing is connectable to another module housing using at least one latch mechanism; wherein at least a portion of the latch mechanism is disposed at the bottom side of the module housing; and wherein at least another portion of the latch mechanism is disposed at the top side of the module housing. 
         [0005]    A further aspect provides a device, comprising: a module housing comprising a top, a bottom, and at least one lateral edge comprising a top side and a bottom side; and at least one connector, disposed at the top side of the module housing, for facilitating electrical connections; wherein the module housing is connectable to another module housing using at least one latch mechanism; and wherein at least a portion of the latch mechanism is disposed at the top side of the module housing. 
         [0006]    The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. 
         [0007]    For a better understanding of the embodiments, together with other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of information handling device circuitry. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates another example of information handling device circuitry. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example vertical modular computing device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example vertical modular computing device with additional modules. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described example embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the example embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely representative of example embodiments. 
         [0013]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation. 
         [0015]    Existing personal computers chassis sizes are fixed, meaning the computer will take up the same amount of space even if the user does not need or use all the space afforded by the chassis. The computers are often large and have a significant amount of empty space inside the computer tower. Computer manufacturers provide the extra space to allow for many different configurations. For example, some users may want or need multiple removable media drives (e.g., digital video disc (DVD) drives, compact disc (CD) drives, 3.5″ disc drives, etc.). Other users may need multiple hard disc drives. As such, the computers are manufactured in a way that allows the end user to configure and expand the computer as needed or desired by the user. However, for the users that do not need additional components the extra space within the chassis is wasted and also results in a computer workstation having a larger unnecessary footprint. Due to the larger footprint computers are typically placed on the floor or in a corner on a desk. This causes the connection ports, usually located on the back of the computer tower, to be difficult to access. Due to the distance between the tower and peripherals, the cabling can become messy. 
         [0016]    Smaller personal computers and portable information handling devices (e.g., tablets, smart phones, laptop computers, etc.) have a smaller footprint. However, these devices do not allow an end-user as many options regarding the configuration of the device. For example, a user may not be able to add additional storage space. Also, some components cannot be changed at all and the device has to be purchased with the desired component. For example, the graphics card within a laptop cannot be changed with a more powerful graphics card. Additionally, because the device components cannot be changed, the device cannot be upgraded or updated as components become obsolete. Since the components cannot be easily swapped, once the device is purchased, the user is essentially stuck with the configuration as purchased. Additionally, while the connection ports are easier to access, these smaller devices generally do not have as many connection ports as the larger counterpart. The reduction in connection ports results in a user not having as many options or spaces for connecting peripheral devices. 
         [0017]    These technical issues present problems for users when purchasing personal computers or other information handling devices. A user who wants the ability to configure and change the computer has to purchase a large personal computer, which has a large footprint, even if the user does not need all the empty space within the personal computer chassis. Additionally, due in part to the large footprint, the personal computer is usually placed in a location which causes the connection ports to become less accessible. Thus, the user has to contend with a large bulky computer in order to ensure the ability to configure and upgrade the computer as desired. 
         [0018]    Accordingly, an embodiment provides a modular computing device that allows a user to configure the computer as desired. An embodiment comprises of a base computing device module having a processor and memory. In one embodiment, the base module may include components typically found in a standard computer workstation. For example, the base module may include a motherboard, processor, memory, hard drive, and other components normally included in a personal computer. The base module may also include a connector for facilitating electrical connections. For example, in one embodiment the base module includes an electrical connector (e.g., universal serial bus (USB) connector, serial port connector, blade connector, peripheral component interconnect (PCI) connector, etc.) located on the top side of the module. 
         [0019]    An embodiment may also include a cap module. When coupled to the top of a second module (e.g., the base module, another module, etc.), the cap module may act as a lid for the modular computing device. The cap module may also include a receiver for the connector of the second module. For example, when attached to the base module, the cap module may include a recess to accept the connector of the base module. In one embodiment, the cap module may include feet located on the bottom side of the module. For example, the cap module may have some protrusions on the bottom. When the cap module is removed from the module computing device, the protrusions may act as feet to help protect components, connectors, and the like, located on the bottom of the module from being scratched, bent, becoming dirty, and the like. When the cap module is being placed on top of the modular computing device, these protrusions may act as an alignment mechanism. For example, the base module may include recesses located on the top of the module. The protrusions on the cap module may be paired with these recesses to ensure alignment of the cap and base module, which may ensure alignment of any connectors or connections made between the cap and second module. An embodiment may include additional modules that can be stacked within the vertical modular computing device. Example additional modules include a graphics module, storage module, battery module, peripheral device module, display device module, and the like. 
         [0020]    Each of the modules may lock into a module below using a latch mechanism. In one embodiment, a portion of the latch mechanism may be included on one module and the other portion of the latch mechanism may be included on a second module. For example, the base module may include a portion of the latch mechanism located at the top of the module. The cap module may include a portion of the latch mechanism located at the bottom of the module. Additional modules may include a portion of one latch mechanism located at the top of the module and a portion of a second latch mechanism located at the bottom of the module. The latch mechanism may work to couple the modules together to act as a unitary piece. For example, a user could pick the coupled modules up using handles included on the cap module and all of the modules would remain coupled together as the user is moving the system using the handles. Thus, the system and devices, as described in more detail below, allow a user the ability to configure a computer as much or as little as possible without needing a large footprint to accommodate the computer. Additionally, the systems and devices allow a user to configure the computer as needed. For example, if the user wants one configuration one day and another the next day, the user can easily remove or add modules as desired. 
         [0021]    The illustrated example embodiments will be best understood by reference to the figures. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain example embodiments. 
         [0022]    While various other circuits, circuitry or components may be utilized in information handling devices, with regard to smart phone and/or tablet circuitry  100 , an example illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a system on a chip design found for example in tablet or other mobile computing platforms. Software and processor(s) are combined in a single chip  110 . Processors comprise internal arithmetic units, registers, cache memory, busses, I/O ports, etc., as is well known in the art. Internal busses and the like depend on different vendors, but essentially all the peripheral devices ( 120 ) may attach to a single chip  110 . The circuitry  100  combines the processor, memory control, and I/O controller hub all into a single chip  110 . Also, systems  100  of this type do not typically use SATA or PCI or LPC. Common interfaces, for example, include SDIO and I2C. 
         [0023]    There are power management chip(s)  130 , e.g., a battery management unit, BMU, which manage power as supplied, for example, via a rechargeable battery  140 , which may be recharged by a connection to a power source (not shown). In at least one design, a single chip, such as  110 , is used to supply BIOS like functionality and DRAM memory. 
         [0024]    System  100  typically includes one or more of a WWAN transceiver  150  and a WLAN transceiver  160  for connecting to various networks, such as telecommunications networks and wireless Internet devices, e.g., access points. Additionally, devices  120  are commonly included, e.g., an image sensor such as a camera. System  100  often includes a touch screen  170  for data input and display/rendering. System  100  also typically includes various memory devices, for example flash memory  180  and SDRAM  190 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of another example of information handling device circuits, circuitry or components. The example depicted in  FIG. 2  may correspond to computing systems such as the THINKPAD series of personal computers sold by Lenovo (US) Inc. of Morrisville, N.C., or other devices. As is apparent from the description herein, embodiments may include other features or only some of the features of the example illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0026]    The example of  FIG. 2  includes a so-called chipset  210  (a group of integrated circuits, or chips, that work together, chipsets) with an architecture that may vary depending on manufacturer (for example, INTEL, AMD, ARM, etc.). INTEL is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries. AMD is a registered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. in the United States and other countries. ARM is an unregistered trademark of ARM Holdings plc in the United States and other countries. The architecture of the chipset  210  includes a core and memory control group  220  and an I/O controller hub  250  that exchanges information (for example, data, signals, commands, etc.) via a direct management interface (DMI)  242  or a link controller  244 . In  FIG. 2 , the DMI  242  is a chip-to-chip interface (sometimes referred to as being a link between a “northbridge” and a “southbridge”). The core and memory control group  220  include one or more processors  222  (for example, single or multi-core) and a memory controller hub  226  that exchange information via a front side bus (FSB)  224 ; noting that components of the group  220  may be integrated in a chip that supplants the conventional “northbridge” style architecture. One or more processors  222  comprise internal arithmetic units, registers, cache memory, busses, I/O ports, etc., as is well known in the art. 
         [0027]    In  FIG. 2 , the memory controller hub  226  interfaces with memory  240  (for example, to provide support for a type of RAM that may be referred to as “system memory” or “memory”). The memory controller hub  226  further includes a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) interface  232  for a display device  292  (for example, a CRT, a flat panel, touch screen, etc.). A block  238  includes some technologies that may be supported via the LVDS interface  232  (for example, serial digital video, HDMI/DVI, display port). The memory controller hub  226  also includes a PCI-express interface (PCI-E)  234  that may support discrete graphics  236 . 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 2 , the I/O hub controller  250  includes a SATA interface  251  (for example, for HDDs, SDDs, etc.,  280 ), a PCI-E interface  252  (for example, for wireless connections  282 ), a USB interface  253  (for example, for devices  284  such as a digitizer, keyboard, mice, cameras, phones, microphones, storage, other connected devices, etc.), a network interface  254  (for example, LAN), a GPIO interface  255 , a LPC interface  270  (for ASICs  271 , a TPM  272 , a super I/O  273 , a firmware hub  274 , BIOS support  275  as well as various types of memory  276  such as ROM  277 , Flash  278 , and NVRAM  279 ), a power management interface  261 , a clock generator interface  262 , an audio interface  263  (for example, for speakers  294 ), a TCO interface  264 , a system management bus interface  265 , and SPI Flash  266 , which can include BIOS  268  and boot code  290 . The I/O hub controller  250  may include gigabit Ethernet support. 
         [0029]    The system, upon power on, may be configured to execute boot code  290  for the BIOS  268 , as stored within the SPI Flash  266 , and thereafter processes data under the control of one or more operating systems and application software (for example, stored in system memory  240 ). An operating system may be stored in any of a variety of locations and accessed, for example, according to instructions of the BIOS  268 . As described herein, a device may include fewer or more features than shown in the system of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0030]    Information handling device circuitry, as for example outlined in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 , may be used in devices such as tablets, smart phones, personal computer devices generally, and/or electronic devices and may be included within the systems and devices described herein. For example, the circuitry outlined in  FIG. 1  may be implemented in a tablet or smart phone embodiment, whereas the circuitry outlined in  FIG. 2  may be implemented in a personal computer embodiment. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example modular computing device  300  having the modules coupled together. The system may include a base module housing  301 , having a top, a bottom, and at least one lateral edge forming a top side, a bottom side, and at least one lateral side. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the modular computing device may be in the form of a rectangular structure. However, the modular computing device may also be formed into other shapes, for example, circular, triangular, square, and the like. The system may also include a cap module housing  302 , having a top, a bottom, at least one lateral edge forming a top side, a bottom side, and at least one lateral side. The modules may be made using a variety of materials, for example, aluminum, plastic, another type of metal, a combination of materials, and the like. The modules may also include vents for air circulation. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example module computing device  400  with modules separate from each other. The base module  401  is located at the bottom of the vertical modular stack. The cap module  402  is located at the top of the vertical module stack. The cap module  402  may include at least one indentation for carrying. For example, referring to  FIG. 4 , the cap module  402  may include openings  407  in the front side and back side of the module for carrying the modular computing device. The indentations or carrying handles may be openings (as shown), but also may only be recesses in the side of the module. The cap module  402  may also include an energy transfer device  408  on the top side of the cap module  402 . As an example, the cap module  402  may include a wireless charging mat, which allows a user to place another electronic device on top of the modular computing device for charging. The energy transfer device may also include a device for wirelessly transferring data between another information handling device and the modular computing device. 
         [0033]    Each module may include at least one connector  406  for facilitating electrical connections between each of the modules. For example, the connector  406  may be used to facilitate power and/or data transfer between modules. Non-exhaustive example types of connectors include USB connectors, PCI connectors, blade/socket connectors, plug/jack connectors, and the like. The connector  406  may be located at the top side of the module. A single connector is shown in  FIG. 4 , but it should be understood that more than one connector can be used rather than a single connector. The connectors may also be located in different locations. For example, the connector  406  may be located at the back of the top of the module. As another example, the module may have two connectors, one located at the front of the top of the module (as shown) and one located at the back of the top or on the side of the top of the module. The modules may include a connector on either both the front and back side or both the left and right side. This may allow for the modules to be rotated by 180 degrees and will still communicate with the rest of the modular computing device. 
         [0034]    The connector  406  may include a protrusion from the top side of the module. Depending on the type of connector, the protrusion may protect or include pins, sockets, blades, jacks, plugs, and the like, of the connector. As an alternative, the connector  406  may include a recess, including the appropriate pins, sockets, blades, jacks, plugs, and the like. The cap module  402  may not include a connector  406  on the top side of the module because the cap module  402  is intended to be the top of the vertical stack and no other modules will be connected to the top of the cap module  402 . 
         [0035]    The modules may also include a connector on the bottom side of the module, which may be the corresponding connector mate for the connector  406  located on the top side of the module. This connector may be in a corresponding location on the bottom side of the module to mate to the connector  406  located on the top side of a module. For example, the cap module  402 , may include a connector on the bottom side for mating to the connector  406  on the base module  401  or another module below it. Alternatively, the cap module  402  may only have a recess for accepting the connector  406  of the module below it. For example, the cap module may not need any electrical connections and may therefore not include a mating connector, but may rather include a recess for accepting the connector located on the module below the cap module within the stack. In the case of more than one connector  406  on the top side of the module, more than one connector or recess may be included on the bottom side of the module. 
         [0036]    The base module  401  may not include a connector  406  on the bottom of the module, because the base module  401  is intended to be the bottom of the vertical stack and no other modules will be connected to the bottom of the base module  401 . However, additional modules (e.g.,  403 ,  404 , and  405 ), which may be included in the module computing device stack, may include a connector  406  on both the top side of the module and a recess or connector on the bottom side of the module. Thus, when the modules are connected together the connector  406  will create a contact and facilitate electrical connections (e.g., power transfer, data transfer, etc.) between or through the modules. 
         [0037]    While each module may include the same connections for transferring data and/or power between modules, each module may not use every connection. In other words, each module may have the same connector and mate to ensure that the modules can be stacked in multiple configurations, but each module may not need or use every connection. As an example, the connector may include a connection for video data. This video data connection may be included in the connector from the base module through the graphics module, through the storage module, through the peripheral device module, and so on. However, the storage module may not use the data included in the video data connection. In other words, some connections included in the connector for the module may act as a pass-through to another module and may not be accessed or used by every module. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the modules may include protrusions  409  on the bottom of the module and recesses  410  at the top of the modules. These protrusions and recesses may assist in aligning the modules and ensuring that connectors are aligned between the modules. The protrusions on the bottom of the module may act as feet for the module. For example, when the module is removed and placed on another surface the protrusions may be the only part of the module that touches the other surface. This may help in protecting the bottom of the module from becoming scratched, dirty, parts from being damaged, and the like. The length of the protrusions may be dependent on the connector size. For example, if the protruding part of the connector is on the bottom of the module, the feet protrusions may be longer than the connector protrusion to ensure that the connector does not touch another surface. The protrusions and recesses may also be reversed. In other words, the bottom of the module may include the recesses and the top of the module may include the protrusions. The number and location of the protrusions and recesses may vary. 
         [0039]    Once the modules are aligned and the connectors are connected, the modules may be coupled together using a latch mechanism. At least a portion of the latch mechanism may be on the top side of a module. Additionally, at least a portion of the latch mechanism may be on the bottom side of a module. In other words, the mating parts of the latch mechanism may be included on different modules in order to connect the two modules. The latch mechanism may be of different types and configurations. However, the latch mechanism should be of a type that latches or locks all the modules together when engaged. For example, when the modules are coupled, the user can pick up the modular computing device by a single module, for example, by the carrying handles included in the cap module, and the entire system will remain intact. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the latch mechanism may include a receiver and an attachment element. This type of latch mechanism is shown in  FIG. 4 . The receiver  411  is located at the top of a module. The attachment mechanism  412  is located at the bottom side of the module. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the attachment mechanism is not necessarily located on the bottom side of the module, but rather at or towards the bottom side of the module. The receiver  411  may include a tab. The receiver  411  may also be shaped to catch the attachment mechanism  412 . For example, the receiver  411  may be shaped like an upside-down L. Other shapes are possible and contemplated. 
         [0041]    The attachment mechanism  412  may be attached to the module in a way that allows the attachment mechanism  412  to rotate away from the module. For example, the attachment mechanism may include a sleeve that is attached to a pin of the module. The sleeve can then rotate about the pin. In other words, the attachment mechanism  412  may rotate about an axis of rotation. When operated the attachment mechanism  412  may move perpendicularly to one of the lateral edges of the module housing. When the latch mechanism (e.g.,  411  and  412 ) is engaged, the attachment mechanism  412  may catch the receiver  411 . For example, the attachment mechanism  412  may include a lip that catches under the receiver  411 . Thus, when the attachment mechanism  412  is engaged with the receiver  411 , the modules are coupled together in such a way that prevents the modules from coming apart when they are lifted. 
         [0042]    In the example of  FIG. 4 , the module may also include a recess for the attachment mechanism  412 . Thus, when the attachment mechanism  412  is “closed” or engaged, the attachment mechanism sits flush with the module. To release the attachment mechanism  412 , the recess for the attachment mechanism has an empty portion (not filled by the attachment mechanism  412 ) for the user to pull the attachment mechanism  412  out. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the recesses and protrusions, as discussed above, may be incorporated into the latch mechanism. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the latch mechanism may include a tab portion and receiving portion for the tab portion. For example, the bottom side of a module may include a tab portion and the top side of a module may include a receiving portion for the tab portion. The tab module may be inserted or slid into the receiving portion. A portion of the tab may then set into the receiving portion to become slidably engaged with the receiving portion. As an example, this type of latch mechanism may be similar to a side-release or front-release buckle. 
         [0044]    The modules may include a removable cover  413  which allows access to the inside of the module. The removable cover  413  may allow a user to replace components within the module, perform maintenance, or otherwise access the interior of the module. In addition to the base module  401  and the cap module  402 , the modular computing device may include additional modules (e.g.,  403 ,  404 , and  405 ). The additional modules may be used to change the configuration of the modular computing device. In other words, the additional modules may be used by a user in place of upgrading components within a workstation as would conventionally be done. Each module may also include fans for air circulation and cooling. Alternatively, the base module  401  may include a fan for air circulation and cooling which may be circulated through all of the attached modules. For example, the modules may include vents on the top side and the bottom side which allow for air circulation and cooling throughout the entire modular computing device. 
         [0045]    The additional modules (e.g.,  403 ,  404 , and  405 ) may include components that allow for upgrading or reconfiguring the modular workstation. For example, some modules may include additional hard drive space, removable media components, a replacement graphics card, and the like. The modules may also include components which are required for operating the desired module. For example, a battery backup module may include circuitry for initiating the battery backup. While a module may be preconfigured with the desired components, a module may also be configurable by the user. For example, the graphics module may include connection ports for graphics cards, rather than also including the graphics card. This allows the user to buy any graphics card and use it with the system. The modular computing device allows a user to add additional modules for configuring the modular device. Example types of additional modules include a battery backup module  404 , a storage module  405 , a graphics module  403 , a peripheral device module, a display device module, a removable media drive module, and the like. These additional modules provide the user with additional components that a user may need. For example, the storage module may include more than one hard disc drive that increases the amount of storage space the base module provides. 
         [0046]    The additional modules may be included in the modular computing device in any order. In other words, the modules do not need to be included in a particular order. For example, the storage module  405  may be included on top of the base module  401 , rather than on top of the battery backup module  404 . Some modules may perform more optimally in different positions. For example, the graphics module  403  may perform better when coupled as close to the base module  401  as possible. However, such ordering is not a requirement. Thus, the user can configure the modular computing device in such a way that is convenient to the user. 
         [0047]    The various embodiments described herein thus represent a technical improvement to current computing systems. Using the techniques described herein, a user can purchase a base module and add additional modules to configure the computing device in a way that is most useful for the user. Additionally, even when adding the modules, the modular computing device footprint remains the same and requires no additional footprint space from the user. The configurability of the modular computing device also allows a user to configure the device based upon needs. For example, if a user needs one configuration one day and a different one the next day, the modular computing device can easily be changed and configured with little effort from the user. Thus, using the systems and devices described herein, the user can be assured of a configurable computing device that can be configured for any need the user may have while maintaining a small footprint. 
         [0048]    As used herein, the singular “a” and “an” may be construed as including the plural “one or more” unless clearly indicated otherwise. Moreover, the connectors described herein may be any type. It is specifically noted that the use of “male” or “female” connector in the description and claims is to be interpreted broadly, i.e., a “male” connector may be replaced by a “female” connector, and vice versa, so long as an operative, physical connection is achieved. 
         [0049]    This disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The example embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain principles and practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
         [0050]    Thus, although illustrative example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be understood that this description is not limiting and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.