If you have an old laptop just collecting dust and want to use it for something, one possibility is to mod it into a tablet-like ebook reader. While the resulting reader isn't really portable and has to boot up when turned on, it doesn't need to be recharged and works well when used at a favorite reading location, like in bed or a particular comfy chair.
The reader is a fairly inexpensive project and can provide a display larger than the largest commonly available tablets and readers currently on the market. But don't do it for the cost. Depending on what you want to read and your technical prowess, there are cheaper solutions. Do it for the fun, for the challenge, or because you want a really big reader.
The essence of the mod is to detach the laptop's display from the base and tether it to the base with a lengthy cable. With all of the power, processing, and peripheral connection hardware in the base, the tethered display serves as a large, light-weight tablet.
Over time, I'll work to provide some details of various aspects of the device. If there's a particular aspect you're more interested in, post a question or comment and I'll aim to address your interest before others that no one's mentioned.
