> My phone's battery would last 2 seconds if it used the
> processor my laptop would use.

lucky we ain't gonna be using processors that are in
the laptops that you're currently buying, then, eh? :)

> And my laptop would be slow as shit if it used a
> processor compatible with a mobile phone.

again, luckily, it's possible to upgrade this design
(for a fraction of the cost) so that that's not such
a problem, then, eh? :)

if you look at the videos i made you'll find that the
performance is "good enough", and if you truly consider
it not to be "good enough" (for you) but you'd still
like to back the project so we can get to the point
where it's "good enough (for you)", you can always get
the pass-through card.

https://www.crowdsupply.com/eoma68/micro-desktop/updates/spe...
https://www.crowdsupply.com/eoma68/micro-desktop/updates/web...
https://www.crowdsupply.com/eoma68/micro-desktop/updates/ced...
https://www.crowdsupply.com/eoma68/micro-desktop/updates/pas...

basically i've come up with a strategy where i can reach the goal that you're looking for.... in financially responsible steps that allow me to retain 100% control of the project. no VC funding. sponsorship only. that we've got this far, if i'm allowed to assess it impartially: that's pretty fg awesome all on its own.

> 3D printers have terrible quality.

china-produced 3D printers are even worse than terrible: they're illegal (copyright-violating) and* the only thing that's good about them is that you end up with a stack of parts that's cheap. people who've bought them instantly regret it.

no, you have to be REALLY careful about where you get your 3D printer from. the one that DJDemon made - an all-aluminium design - is pretty damn good.
https://www.crowdsupply.com/eoma68/micro-desktop/updates/pri...

> You'd be printing out replacement parts every month.

correct... if you pick the worst-quality PLA available on the market, today. if however you use high-quality PLA such as that from Faberdashery, or if you use Polycarbonate or Nylon.... no.

also it's down to internal design: the base back part that i designed uses an internal structure similar to that used in Gothic Cathedrals. the result was a part so strong that on attempting to snap it with my hands i actually became concerned for my safety due to the amount of pressure i was applying to be able to bend it.

> They are for prototyping.

that's right. so what we will be doing when this gets to MOQ 2500 and above is: going to injection-molding... BUT - and this is really REALLY important - the parts will be EXACTLY THE SAME so that people can, on buying a mass-produced variant of this laptop housing, go down to a local library or go to UPS's web site and order a replacement.

if they really want high quality they can go to shapeways and get it powder-printed. it'll cost them a fortune but they'll get a "decent-looking" replacement part.

> I've never had a monitor fail on me, is this an
> actual problem?

this was a way to illustrate flexibility. lots of people were saying "what happens if the LCD on the laptop breaks and i can't replace it" etc. etc.

and yes i have actually managed to break monitors by running them at higher-than-rated refresh rates.... oops :)

> Aside from hobbyists, I'm not sure anyone actually
> wants this product.

well, we're almost up to 1,000 backers so i must be doing
_something_ right!