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DIY BMW Computer Chair

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the now-thats-a-hack dept.

vortimax writes "Roger Arrick has put up a web page describing his quest to build the ultimate computer chair. It's based on the powered passenger seat from a late-model BMW. Add a power supply, a frame with a working surface, and you've got one unique computer workstation." Nothing like automated lumbar support while you're gam^H^H^H working. Just good luck getting the parts on your own ;)

25 of 209 comments (clear)

  1. What, no fridge? by dreamchaser · · Score: 5, Funny

    Add a refridgeration unit in the base so I can store beer/soda/etc. and then we'll talk.

    I -hate- having to get up when I'm on a hot streak in Q3A, just to get more beer. Damn that beer! Give me a chair with a fridge!!

    1. Re:What, no fridge? by napa1m · · Score: 4, Funny

      Now if it just had a passenger seat, an engine, four wheels, a gas tank..

      --
      ^nA! Creatures in my Head
    2. Re:What, no fridge? by dreamchaser · · Score: 3, Funny

      Nah, I tried that. I drink my ale out of a fairly heavy glass tumbler. It broke the damn thing off! They just don't make things like they used to...

  2. seatbelts? by notanatheist · · Score: 5, Funny

    What about a seatbelt and airbag for racing games?

  3. ^H^H^H by coene · · Score: 3, Funny

    Can someone offer to fix CmdrTaco's TERM export? :)

  4. that's not a computer chair... by Ack_OZ · · Score: 5, Funny

    THIS is a computer chair... :)

    1. Re:that's not a computer chair... by seanadams.com · · Score: 3, Insightful

      He should have interleaved the mouse pads so they hold together better. Arranged in separate columns like that, it looks like the whole side would fall over if you sat on it wrong.

  5. No airbag for BSOD? by sapped · · Score: 3, Funny

    Where's the airbag for the windows users in case of the good old Blue Screen 'o death!!?

    Talk about getting the priorities all wrong!

  6. Uh oh by gwernol · · Score: 4, Funny

    Roger Arrick has put up a web page... and Slashdot has taken it down again.

    --
    Sailing over the event horizon
  7. Here is a chair too, by Marvel+Man · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Here is another computer chair. Interstingly enough, the computet has a BMW logo on it. Atleast, I think it is. I don't read Korean nor can tell for sure if it says "BMW"

  8. Grabbed a quick mirror by DearSlashdot · · Score: 5, Informative
    http://www.robotiq.com/bmwchair.html

    Please note, I pay like 7 bucks a month for this hosting, so be gentle...

    Ahhh forget it, I know you won't.

    --

    "Why should we leave America to go to America Junior?" - H. Simpson, on visiting Canada
  9. Joke by Skyshadow · · Score: 3, Funny
    Q: What's the difference between a porcupine and a BMW?

    A: A porcupine has its pricks on the outside.

    Disclaimer: I live in the Silicon Valley and am therefore, by law, entitled to make fun of the assholes driving their beemers around in the far-left lane at 5 miles below the speed limit, changing lanes without signaling and generally acting as if they purchased soverign right to the roads along with their overpriced German-made Civics.

    --
    Every year during my review, I just pray the words "slashdot.org" aren't mentioned.
    1. Re:Joke by stuffman64 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      hmm... I'm not sure what to say. While I agree that there tends to be a correlation between BMWs and dickheadedness, many people decide to purchase them because of thier superior build quality and performance and not because of thier status symbolism. Sure, it is easy to call them "overpriced German-made Civics," until you actually drive one for some period of time, you should withold judgement. Anybody who is a car enthusiast will tell you that a BMW offers a superior driving experience, even compared to similarly (high) priced competitiors. I do not own a bimmer (BMW motorcycles are beemers, the cars are bimmers), but when I can afford one, a 3-series will be tops on my list. Many people who view cars as simply a utilitarian device, are quite content in thier choice of automobile, whether it be a Honda or a Ford. And I can entirely understand thier view. But for someone like me who enjoys driving and demands the most from thier cars, BMWs are quite a good choice.

      Again, I'm not saying you are wrong, but perhaps maybe jumped to a stereotypical conclusion. Also, there is nothing wrong with going 5 under the speed limit, after all, it is a limit and not the speed that you must drive. I have no problem with slow drivers, as long as they don't provide a dangerous obstacle. Not using turn signals, however, is not good. I hate people who don't use turn signals.

      Disclaimer: I live in rural Pennsylvania, and am therefore, frequently forced to drive slowly behind horse-and-buggys, which are equipped with neither turn signals nor brake lights. They regularly drive well... 5 miles an hour and run red lights on occasion, as if they hand-built their soverign right to the road.

      --
      --- At my sig, unleash hell.
  10. Re:Very nice... by unicron · · Score: 3, Funny

    It won't squeek and wake your folks.

    --
    Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
  11. already built a better one myself by spd_rcr · · Score: 3, Interesting

    here
    composite seat, gas shock, aircraft cables, & the seating position stolen from my favorite lazyboy

    --
    - tensions in our lives that are attacking our minds, unite themselves together to make our consciousness blind - op'ivy
  12. Oh my. The poor dear. by blair1q · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the article:

    Since I spend 3+ hours a day on the computer working and playing, I figured that it should be comfortable.

    If that's the formula, I should be sitting on Shakira's lap when I'm computing.

    --Blair

  13. choice of seat... by green+pizza · · Score: 3, Informative

    BMW installs fine seats in their automobiles... for firm support needed in performance driving. If I were to build a computer desk around an automobile seat, I would probably use something a bit more plush from a Lincoln, Cadillac, or Jaguar. Or better yet, get an overstuffed leather chair from a furniture store.

  14. I prefer the Snowchash chair by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I prefer the Snowchash chair, which
    integrates the chair, computer, and controls in a more
    mototcycle-like geometry.

    Still, it's cheaper to sit in an Aeron.

  15. the ultimate computer desk... by green+pizza · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Now this is what I consider to be a proper computer workstation...

    http://www.sara.nl/hpc.www/images/unite/unite.jpg

    Ok... so it's 1997 technology, but you get the idea.

    Plus it's cooler looking than SARA's current monster.

  16. Re:3 + hours? by KILNA · · Score: 5, Funny

    i spend 16+ hours.. and i sit on my floor..

    Playstation doesn't count. :)
    --
    Error: PANTS NOT FOUND. Press <F1> to continue.
  17. Shameless Karma Whoring by Burning1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The previous comment reminded me of this joke:

    On the farm lived a chicken and a horse, who loved to play together.

    One day, the two were playing, when the horse fell into a bog and began to sink. Scared for his life, the horse whinnied for the chicken to get the farmer for help.

    Off the chicken ran, back to the farm.

    Arriving, he searched and searched for the farmer, but to no avail, for he had gone to town with the only tractor.

    Running around, the chicken spied the farmer's new Z3 series BMW.

    Finding the keys inside, the chicken sped off with a length of rope, hoping he had time to save his friends's life.

    Back at the bog, the horse was surprised, but happy to see the chicken arrive in the shiny beemer, and managed to get a hold of the loop of rope the chicken tossed to him.

    After tying the other end to the rear bumper of the farmer's car, the chicken then drove slowly forward, and with the aid of the powerful car, rescued the horse!

    The friendship between the two animals was cemented - best buddies, best pals.

    A few weeks later, the chicken fell into a mud pit, and soon, he too, began to sink and cried out to the horse to save his life!

    The horse thought a moment, walked over, and straddled the large puddle.

    Looking underneath, he told the chicken to grab his "thingie" and he would then lift him out of the pit. The chicken got a good grip, and the horse pulled him out, saving his life.

    Moral: When you're hung like a horse, you don't need a BMW to pick up chicks.

  18. Three Plus Hours? by kuroth · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Since I spend 3+ hours a day on the computer working and playing..."

    Less than four hours in front of your computer per day and you need a fancy chair? When I was your age, we sat on rocks (hard, pointy ones) in seven feet of snow, for 32 hours a day (days were longer then, you know), and we were THANKFUL!

    What's up with the other 20 hours in your day? I certainly hope you're not out getting fresh air or talking to girls instead.

    Buckle down, slacker.

  19. Re:What next? by Ian+Bicking · · Score: 3

    Then you need the Stadium Pal

  20. How to get one of those seats by Michael+Woodhams · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hello, Police?

    Somebody broke into my car. I'd only left it for a few minutes.

    Yeah, they smashed the window and took the seat.

    No, NOT the CD - the seat.

    --
    Quattuor res in hoc mundo sanctae sunt: libri, liberi, libertas et liberalitas.
  21. Cost, Comfort, and Powered Desktop! by BigBlockMopar · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Now if I can justify the cost for the darn thing, itll be perfect. The ultimate computing machine

    Hey, that seat is a really good idea. However, it disturbs me that the guy didn't go all out and make a powered top, so that it slides into position when you sit down. A couple of power window motors would do that job very nicely.

    Even better, those Lincolns with the seat memory don't have magic seats. All that's needed is appropriate software, and an interface to the computer.

    Imagine it: Sit down. Log in. Immediately, the computer adjusts the seat and desktop position. Heated seats could be employed, which would warm your tender buttocks on those days when the air conditioner is just set a notch too high. Do your work, log off. Instantly, the desktop rolls back and the seat reclines to a position where egress is easy.

    Save money, too. Why bother with a regulated supply to run DC motors? The computer to seat control electronics could run off the computer's power supply. A bunch of relays would control the seat motors, desktop and heater. If they're just DC motors, use a car battery charger - they're cheaper and provide lots more current.

    Jeez. I gotta build me one of these. I've got a set of leather bucket seats from a 1971 Chrysler Imperial kicking around my garage, just begging for a home.(Well, the back seat has already made an excellent sofa in the basement den.)

    --
    Fire and Meat. Yummy.