There are laptops with a display on the outside to display stickers.[1]
replies(1):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1drVhn0hLiI&t=40s
What I think would be ideal with current tech is non-backlit e-ink color. Maybe displaying a static image that usually doesn't change while at a location.
You could use e-ink display changes when switching between modes, for example:
* corporate in-office staid, or internal team flair;
* trade conference switch to promoting company brands, rather than internal flairs;
* corporate in-office using it to indicate when you're in focus mode or on a call and less interruptible (actually, you could maybe use the LEDs for on-call mode, a rare instance when you might want the more attention than e-ink);
* traveling with work laptop, but at a cafe or lounge, and want to signal social sensibilities for meeting people personally.
E-ink is getting affordable. A 7.5" display for stickers would probably add under $100 to the price of a laptop.[1] Not many colors, but supposedly good saturation.