This may seem like a aged question, but I will ask it anyways.

How do I go about building a full custom laptop without having to chunk down a few thousand to do so?
I feel that with a "barebones laptop" that most of the fun and work and tinkering has been taken out of the equation, and most of the time I'm forced to contend with Intel or Nvidia chipsets. I'm an AMD fan myself, but I just need an educated opinion (at least something more than my basic guess). This will probably have a flavor of Linux on it, considering I have been wanting to force myself to learn a computer language anyways. Just want something for gaming and, probably, coding.

Honestly, I want a laptop considering I will be in and out of Hotels and Motels on and off for the next several years.

If you're going to be in and out of hotels for a while, BUY a brand name laptop; they at least can be fixed. I would not consider building one, they are far too integrated and advanced. The alternative is to buy a tablet/netbook and chuck it when it hits issues and buy another.

This?
http://cdn1.images.videobash.com/pho.../981/11981.jpg

This one made me laugh.


I actually want to game on the road. I'm a coach driver and dealing with a laptop that overheats easily WILL drive me insane. I also don't have the time nor money to commit to any "system" that I'm not willing to build myself. Plus, I need the power of a desktop in a laptop, without paying about 2700 for something on par. I also don't want a crappy setup for Ram. I want what I want but want it extremely friendly with Linux as well. I despise what Windows pulls down just to run it.
I want a processor/GPU that are up there with a desktop.
Want to be able to game.
I want to be able to code, preferably with Linux.
I don't want to just surf the net, its not enough for me, not anymore.
So please don't pitch me a netbook/tablet, I consider most of those to be an insult to my intelligence; nor do I say this as an insult to anyone who may perceive as such.
I have a Nook for reading and it does well enough for its function, I need something to compliment it.

@business_kid
Apologize for my earlier attitude, but your post seemed a little condescending at first, just misread it. I believe I found what I want. Thank you for your help though, I just didn't realize that some of the laptops developed with Linux distributions in mind were so much more powerful than craptops designed for Windows.

No problem, I would not recommend a tablet or netbook for gaming. Quite the reverse.

If you're a trucker, you have a truck, right? Laptops are always a compromise. Why not get a micro-atx box and build yourself a small PC? You can upgrade that by bits; no heat worries, no compromises. A flat screen & micro atx would probably be storable together?

One suggestion: Go for 2.5" disks. Not faster, but they are much more immune to being bounced around (As happens in empty trucks!)

I drive Motorcoach, laptop is preferable because I will be in and out of hotel rooms. I was thinking of a micro ATX but the factor of my bags on top of a case and monitor in tow is something that is difficult. I have trouble carrying my craptop and bags as it stands. (FYI Motorcoach can be called OTR as well)

Then you gotta gop for a (lesser) brand name laptop like HP. The envy is a gaming machine (Not without it's drawbacks - read experiences). A ruggedised machine might be wise.

comprise then
build a custom computer in a Standard briefcase

from a google image search for "computer in briefcase"
http://hackedgadgets.com/2008/12/14/...n-a-briefcase/

or
http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content...-yoshiwars.jpg
http://technabob.com/blog/2013/01/17...-by-yoshiwars/