I think that it has very specific target audience. While I’d design the case differently, I like the idea of hackable laptop with mechanical keys. I, and probably many people in hardware hacking community don’t care much about “pitying looks”. I use my current laptop mostly for TeX, ssh and programming/debugging of embedded systems. Specifications of the proposed machine are more than enough for that. Replacing components is not a problem - nearly every part can be sourced within a day or in worst case a week and BGA soldering is not that difficult.
While I wouldn’t be interested in the whole unmodified computer, a later version of it’s mainboard (with i.mx 8) could make a fun project. Maybe some very retro laptop with black-stained oak wood case and keycaps 
Probably could be done, but some of the required chemicals are nasty
