i didnt even know laptops have sata ports. but according to google they do.
just open up the flap on the bottom and see if the harddrive is connected by a sata cable.
i have never heard of anybody using a laptop to do the firmware hack....... but that doesnt mean to say its not possible. but i think its unlikely that it will work. i maybe wrong though!
da xecuter dvd to usb converter is coming out (check on xbox scene) so u wont need sata ports anymore(u will still need da connectivity kit to power da dvd drive and a sata cable to connect ur dvd drive but instead of connecting da sata cable to ur pc u connect it to da dvd to usb converter and u connect da usb to ur pc and get it easily recognise in windows) this will be useful for laptops with no sata ports.(this also works for da xbox 360 hardrive)