I built my own computer out of a $285 kit - here's what it was like for a first-timer

Building you own computer sounds like an insurmountable task, one best reserved for those with a lot of free time and access to microchips.

So when I got the opportunity to build a computer and was told it would not only be straightforward but would only take me a few hours, I decided I had to give it a shot.

Full disclosure: I'm neither a techie nor an engineer, and I've never successfully built or repaired an electronic. In fact, the closest I've come to the inner workings of a device was swapping my old Android phone battery out for a longer-lasting one.

But it turns out that not only was building my own computer pretty easy, I actually learned something new and made a product that actually works - and could replace my laptop for everyday tasks.

I built one of Kano's computer kits just as the company is unveiling new add-ons to its computer. Here's how it went.