is it possible to make a thinkpad with intel nuc boards

[alitahriki]

hi there
i used to like thinkpads, im currently using t420/x220 but after this series (with x230/t430 and later) thinkpads are not that good, x250 is just like any other notebook, with a silly keyboard and all this shiny stuff.

i want to upgrade my t420 with new processor/ddr4 memory and want to keep this casing/keyboard. and i believe i can attach an edp panel to it
is it possible to fit a intel nuc board in it?
will my battery be sufficient for a nuc board with notebook processor?
is there any change that i can include an external gpu and use nvidia optimus?
do you have a better idea to build a good laptop ?

[axur-delmeria]

The rear I/O ports on the Intel NUCs are too tall to fit in a T420 chassis.

To be honest, I don't know if there's a single-board computer that's affordable, small, thin, and powerful enough to be considered an upgrade over the T420.

[lembang]

Not so sure which intel NUC board you are referring. I notice there is some intel nuc board with a lower I/O port
but I'm pretty sure it will require a hardcore modification on it.
I do agree the old keyboard has some better feel when you are typing. I would say T430 is not that bad, and also heard lenovo latest firmware on that model allowed us to use t420 keyboard on it.

[TonyJZX]

Interesting premise. Thing is the good nucs get very expensive... easily over $500 since the i7s are already expensive.

However I like the T420/420s. I think its the ultimate 14" classic and I think mine, even with only 4Gb ram i5 2520 and ssd pretty much is as good as you'd be expect of this generation.

I dont need more power.

[PowerPC]

Almost 10 years after the last post in this thread the idea of fitting one of those NUCs inside an A31 or R5x shell is more appealing.

[axur-delmeria]

Almost 10 years after the last post in this thread the idea of fitting one of those NUCs inside an A31 or R5x shell is more appealing.

The problem I see with using NUC boards is that the processor and heatsink are usually on the underside, while the ports are on top. This makes the overall height much taller than any laptop chassis I know.