Most computers are modular in the sense that you can replace any of the components without having to get a new system, but doing so requires a bit of know-how. There have been a few attempts to simplify the component-replacing process for computers to the point where even and idiot would be able to do it, but none of them have taken off. However, there’s still some interest in the area, as Microsoft recently filed a patent for a “modular computing device,” which might give us an idea of what to expect from the company’s next venture into the computer hardware market.
