In this digital world, 3D printed laptop has been a buzzword for some time now. It’s the future of computing, making it cheaper, faster, and easier than ever. 3D printed objects aren’t just useful in the production of other things. They can also be used as such! Instead of ordering a physical object online or driving to a brick-and-mortar store to buy it, you can print it at home.
It is perhaps unsurprising that laptop manufacturers are looking towards this technology to change the face of computing forever. We’ve already seen a backpack PC from MSI and an oddly-shaped HP Spectre. That doubles as a case for an Intel NUC. But these are only the beginning.
The idea of these laptops is mentioned several times with articles on weird concepts from Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, and even Google.
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What is a 3D Printed Laptop?
3d printed laptops are the newest development in computer technology. These special laptops have the ability to 3d print objects using various materials. You can 3d print anything from a simple toy to a more complex model of a car or even a building. 3D printing laptops use stereo lithography, which involves curing resin layers with ultraviolet light. This process creates an object that is very precise and has smooth edges. 3D printing technology is still in its early stages, but it can revolutionize manufacturing and make it possible to create customized products on a mass scale.
3D printing laptops are just one example of how this technology is being used today. In the future, 3D printing will likely become even more commonplace and accessible. Making it possible for anyone to create their 3D objects at home.
Manufacturers and the 3D Printed Laptop
HP has been a key player in this field thanks to its acquisition of 3D printing company MultiJet two years ago. It has continued to invest in this area along with its partners. And has made huge strides in how this technology can be applied.
The first product manufactured using this technology was an improved jet engine combustor liner. Now, HP is looking towards manufacturing a laptop. HP has been working with Stanford University to create a laptop that, for all intents and purposes, is 3D printed.
The Problem with manufacturing such a laptop, or any computer for that matter, is that most of the components are made out of metal – a material that isn’t conductive. To solve that issue, HP has developed a technique called ‘electro-thermal-chemical bonding.’ Just to ensure that even the most sensitive components, such as the CPU, are protected and can function without an issue.
The Problem (s) With 3D Printing for Computers
3D printing isn’t all that new, but it is still in its infancy. That means that its application is limited, and it is currently very, very expensive. It can be up to 500 times more expensive than traditional manufacturing techniques. We have yet to see a 3D printed laptop hit the market.
Manufacturing computers, or any piece of technology, is a difficult business. Companies need to be extremely confident in their products to reach thousands of customers. That may sound like a huge issue, but it’s the main reason manufacturers are still looking toward this technology. The cost is undoubtedly high. But, as is often the case, the price will drop as demand increases – which it is expected to do dramatically in the next few years.
3D Printed Laptops Are Coming
As stated above, HP has been working on this technology for some time now. It has been able to produce a prototype of a laptop that is almost entirely made from 3D printed materials. It has even been able to state that it expects this laptop to hit the market in as little as two years – though no official release date has been announced as of yet. HP also isn’t the only company that is looking towards this technology.
Fellow manufacturer Lenovo is also in the process of creating a 3D printed laptop. It has acquired a 3D printing company called Micro-D (no, we’ve never heard of them either). However, it has yet to announce any prototype. It is expected that the company will release a laptop made almost entirely of 3D printed parts very soon.
In addition to these two giants, Google is also looking into creating a laptop that is almost entirely 3D printed. It has also made a prototype that is mostly 3D printed. The only parts that aren’t 3D printed are the speakers and some parts of the motherboard. It is expected that this laptop will hit the market a little later.
Summary
The future of computers is certainly exciting. From backpack PC to 3D printed laptop, we will likely see some very interesting (and odd) products hit the market soon. These laptops are expected to be manufactured almost entirely by a 3D printer, with the only non-printed parts being speakers and the motherboard. Although it has yet to hit the market, the first 3D-printed laptops are expected to be available in as little as two years. We will almost certainly see them, and it is expected that they will be priced at a similar level to normal laptops.