Rootin' Tootin' Case Mod Roundup

So we get a number of case mods submitted in any one week, and while they are very cool and fun and we like to post them, they don't really warrant a whole story of their own, so I decided to do a recently submitted case-mod round up. Anyhow, if you are interested, in this first set we have a beautifully engineered mailbox among others. If you are interested in such things, read on.... First, ViceClown writes: "I thought I'de seen it all but here's another in what seems like a never ending barage of weird and out-there case mods. this guy took a regular old aluminum mailbox and turned it into a computer. Guess it gives new meaning to that old phraze, "You've got mail!""

BeoR writes "Modding is extremely popular nowadays... with the exception of some, a lot of mods end up in disappointment. Some mods just don't look right... This article is aimed at making "Case Modding" easy... as well as letting you try out any kinds of mods on your case without even scratching it... Check it out"

smallstepforman sent in a link to the aquatank, featuring very real, and probably unhappy, fish! That said, you'd think a computer case would be a happy place for a lizard or snake that would like a little bit on warmth.

We also ran a sectional story which I thought would be interesting for the round-up: PC Cases with Side or Top Mounted Drive Bays?

And, finally, JoeD writes "For my sins, I was emailed the following link: The Pink Hello Kitty Laptop. I struggled to find the adjectives to adequately describe this case mod, but decided that words are inadequate for some things." I think this might be the first custom modded laptop that we've featured on slashdot. Hope the next one won't be as disturbing.

Comments

I can't get all the components :-(

[ObviousGuy]

The aqua tank seems to be just out of reach. Those last two components are not widely available in this area for a reasonable price. :-(

Laptop mod?

[Anonymous Coward]

First laptop mod? Not by a long shot, and it's a Mac to boot.

And if you get bored...

[El_Nofx]

while looking at AguaTank, here is some complimentary porn to keep your attention!

I see "First" has a new definition

[MBCook]

Let's see, the site you linked to seems to be dated this year (2002), while the PHKL is referenced in a posted e-mail dated.. what class?... that's right, 1998. It's good to know you know your math so well.

Mailboxes

[cscx]

He DOES realize that US Postal Service mailboxes (yes, that includes aluminum house mailboxes you buy at the Home Depot) are actually property of the US Postal Service. Yep, even though you physically own it. That's why it's a bad idea to go around putting Dran-O bombs in unsuspecting neighbors' mailboxes. Oh did I say that? =)

Doesn't a case-mod have to work?

[loren]

Did anyone notice that the Pink Hello Kitty Laptop is a NON-WORKING mod... Not only is it a DOA laptop before the ambitious girls got started, but the "mouse" is a yo-yo attached with a plastic-bead necklace to the computer...

I don't see how this counts as a "case-mod"... Maybe "doorstop-mod", but that's about it...

P.S. Yes, I realize that my comment on such things is proof that I was bored enough to actually read through the better part of the PHKL page... :(

Re:Doesn't a case-mod have to work?

[alacqua]

Did anyone notice that the Pink Hello Kitty Laptop is a NON-WORKING mod

Whether it works or not, I'm still gonna have nightmares about it.

Useful Article at Tom's hardware

[donnacha]

Tom's Hardware is currently running a feature entitled How To Select The Right Case For Your Computer which takes modding potential into consideration, even suggesting the Directron/Super Flower - 201S as a sort of "pre-modded" option for those of us too busy playing games or just too plain lazy to put in the necessary work ourselves.

As has been suggested before....

[Bonker]

... Some of us really like to read about nifty hardware presentation hacks like case mods, lego cases, acrylic and cast iron cases, liquid-helium cooled processors, teddybears with routers embedded, etc... and so forth. Why not create a new topic area for material like this *separate* from the regular hardware area so those of us who are interested can see the stories more often and those of us who aren't can filter that area.... like most of us do with Jon Katz...

My favorite mod...

[Phantom100]

Hypercooled

Why do I get the feeling...

[gdyas]

...that these are the same people who can make a bong out of anything?

"OK, get me a broomstick, some PVC pipe and a cantaloupe."

Re:nope, the fish are just fine

[alacqua]

BTW, the "neon tetra" he talks about is the breed of fish, not some kind of four-way processor mod.

Man, could you imagine a beowulf clust... errr... school of them.

Re:No links to porn!

[caferace]

I didn't have a problem with the chicks. The laptop however I found repulsive.

To each his own. Welcome to the Internet.

Now go home. :)

Casemod: French bathroom fixtures

[sam_handelman]

You've moved your bathroom to your computer, or vice versa.

You've overclocked everything with a transistor; you're watercooling them.

Now, you have a use for all that warm water; it makes a comfortable wash that keeps you hygienic, and prevents you from getting a rash from sitting in front of your computer, on your toilet, for 72 hours at a stretch.

The Art of Design is all about taking harmonious advantage of the resources already available to you. It is all about turning your tower into a bidet.

Some helpful aluminum tips for modders

[Erris]

I saw, yuck, tin snips in that mailbox link! A $15 paper cutter from any office supply store makes much cleaner cuts.

Sheet metal does rock, but aluminum flashing won't rust and is easier to work. A big roll of the stuff that will last for years. It's easier to work than steel and much lighter. The drawback is that flashing is thin and not as strong as available heavy steel sheet. You can overcome this by bending a few edges and mounting stiffening pieces. I love my aluminum sheet roll almost as much as I love duct tape.

Mixing steel and aluminum is a bad idea. Their electronegativities are far appart so your steel will rust quickly. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it can be done and there are places for it.

List of over 300 case mod articles ...

[marnee]

Hi, I'm a case modder myself, and I've compiled a huge list of over 300 case mod articles that has been properly categorised. Check it out HERE. Hope you guys find it useful :) ... My own case mod is over here.

Shiny NeXT Cube-based System

[PotPieMan]

I'm pretty surprised chrisd didn't post this:
http://www.pheatonforums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php? t=137&postdays=0&postorder=&start=0

And the final pictures here:
http://www.planetcasemod.com/NeXT/Final/angleshot1 . PG
http://www.planetcasemod.com/NeXT/Final/angleshot2 . PG
http://www.planetcasemod.com/NeXT/Final/angleshot3 . PG

This is quite possibly the most impressive case mod I have ever seen.

You can buy one of those displays at B.G. Micro, in case you're wondering.

Re:No links to porn!

[_Sprocket_]

So if I understand your complaint correctly... you would avoid the entire article since 2 out of 23 images (not including banners, etc) depict a shapely female backside form in a thong bikini. This is because such an image meets your definition of "pornography". And futhermore you are repulsed by the idea because you will find these images addictive and damaging to your brain.

You have serious personal control issues.

It might be worth noting that the images might meet the dictionary definition of "pornography" depending on your personal reaction to the image. But they hardly meet the usual type of content associated with the term.

I found the included imagery... imature. But it was very easy to scroll past the two images and pay attention to the real content of the site: a fish aquarium in a computer case.

But hey - I have that kind of self control. Maybe you don't.

Really Really Stupid

[Ogerman]

I can understand painting, LED's, custom fronts, etc. but cutting "windows" in one's case is just plain stupid. Why would you purposely expose yourself to so much unnecessary radiation? (not to mention any electronic equipment nearby., which could interfere in either direction.) We're not talking about miniscule radiation of debatable health effects (like cell phones, etc.) The microwave-range radiation from a modern PC without metal case shielding is rather substantial. That's why the FCC requires shielded design. For example, what happens when CPU's reach the 2.4GHz. region? All of a sudden, your "cool" case is going to interfere with your wireless LAN and cordless phone. What's the point?

And FU all too.

[Linux Ate My Dog!]

You know, looking at what you guys all write about the laptop and about me, I have to say you people are kind of mean. No, really. The recipient was very happy with it, and it was fun to do.

I would like it noted that I never submitted this a case mod, and have never claimed anything about it. And if my Halloween costume makes your lunch come back up, get help for your gastrointestinal disorder.

Meanwhile, my latest mod did indeed work when I delivered it to the offices that requested it. It may be in the pages of the next issue of Popular Science.