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Really Stylish PCs and Peripherals
knipknap writes "With Christmas lying ahead I decided it was time to present myself new PC hardware. Of course, nothing can be good enough for my Linux box, so I ran looking for some really nice cases - but was soon disappointed by the very little options available when it comes to stylish cases. There is the very nice Hoojum Nanode, which is for Nano-ITX boards only, while I was looking for more powerful alternatives. Then there was the Cubit P4, also from Hoojum, which seemed to suit my needs. I ordered one via mini-itx.com, but unfortunately they messed up the order and noticed only after it was already sold out... so there went my last option.
I was also recommended Hush (I already own one) and Shuttle, both of which I found looking kind of cheap.
Another problem seems to be finding good peripherals - I have not found a single higher quality mouse and keyboard outside the plastic computer world. So I decided to ask Slashdotters - which other options are there available?" Personally I love the Hush box.
I love my "feel the chip just under my hand" mouse
mac's are really good looking if u r considering that as a option...also u can put ur linux on the mac box
Look at some of ThinkGeek's peripherals. I particularly like their mini wireless mice, though those are more for laptop applications. They carry some really nice Logitech keyboards and mice which are both stylish and functional.
Ultra expensive 1Us
Jeez.
This is a nobrainer.
Buy a Mac.
A "stylish" PC is like lipstick on a pig.
Personally, I love the Jeantech cases - I use a Visco myself (www.jeantech.com)
...Apple.
Cheers,
b&
All but God can prove this sentence true.
Look at this case:
http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-lc07.htm
...i suggest a nifty ergenomic dvorak keyboard, you can get it on ebay fer a bit: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&cate gory=51083&item=5149151249&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
theres always alienware et al, altho im not certain you can get just a case...
i also suggest getting a wireless gyro mouse. again, i suggest ebay as a good source for one of them pretty cheap.
When you're afraid to download music illegally in your own home, then the terrorists have won!
are pretty much a dime a dozen....in fact I,m offering 3 gmail invites to the person who 1st responds to this post in order to shake your economic structure .
Or you can always go for the old school look.
http://www.teschke.de/heatpipes/i-1.jpg
Everyone seems to be suggesting to go with a Mac. Well, if I were you, I would take a half-way decent case and mod it. Chop off the back if it is too long, put some plexiglass on the side, stencil on the side, whatever floats your boat. Much more unique than the standard Mac, and you'll have fun making it too.
thisnukes4u.net
Doing your own case mods is something that requires time, patience, and some money, but there's nothing that you buy that compares the final product.
My favorite is my Fossil computer, which is a Victorian beauty of brass and wood. I've also done the "all black" computer before black became the new beige. I also dallied with a Lego computer, though the innards finally died.
I wanted to buy a clear acrylic case for a PC I was buidling, and decorate it with neon wires (one reseller). I went ahead and purchased from ClearPC, a Canadian company (actually, just some guy, but read on).
I was told the case would be packaged in a safe way, so it would arrive undamaged. When it did arrive, several parts were broken, and some extras I ordered like LED fans, etc, were just missing.
After 6 months of constantly trying to get a response from ClearPC, I finally got some of the broken parts replaced and some of the missing parts (I still did not have everything I need for a full case, nor all the parts I ordered).
I just gave up, but swore I would tell anyone looking for a cool case that ClearPC is a horrible vendor with horrible customer service. I usually live and let live, but this is a very special case for me. I will not put their URL here, no need to give them a free link. But if you find yourself on a case site offering clear cases ending in ".ca", just keep on surfing. BTW, this is not a dis on Canada at all, it just happens that this company is there or I probably would have at least taken them to small claims court and tried to get them blocked from doing business in my state.
Great ideas often receive violent opposition from mediocre minds. - Albert Einstein
There is the very nice Hoojum Nanode,
What's with all the cats and fruit and stuff? In one picture, you've got a hand in a surgical glove, placing a whole pineapple on top of the Nanode. In another, you've got a cat in what appears to be orgasmic throes.
I'm sure it's clever marketing that's just over my head, but...
The coolest voice ever.
Lian-li makes some nice atx cases. The one I have, the pc-v1000, looks a lot like a g5 with the drilled aluminum front. Zalman makes an absurdly expensive (~$1400) aluminum case indended for fanless cooling. Most of the decent-looking cases I came across were flat and designed for home theater applications.
As for peripherals, I don't think you'd actually want a metal mouse or keyboard in the long run. Logitech makes a nice looking high-end wireless keyboard with detachable number pad for about $200, and I like the way their mx700 mouse looks.
About the only set of pc peripherals that I know that are good looking are the Logitech DiNovo bluetooth KB & Mouse combo... You have to like that slim lap-top style KB though... Wireless and the plastic has a kind of rubberized feel, not just um... er... Hard and cheep.
Alright, I'm going back to sleep.
The Thermaltake shark http://www.thermaltake.com/xaserCase/shark/black/b lack.htm is one of the nicest cases I've ever seen. It is designed with water cooling in mind and it is made practically "tool-less".
Please don't refrain from bathing in your quest to find a stylish pc
You know, nothing says stylish like a polyurethan foam case. I hear they're big with the ladies too!
Im dreaming ofa big bndwdth, That can resist the
Likely an unpopular opinion, but I don't see anything particularly great about macs, either. The basic case design has been around five years now - it's just not as square as most pc cases.
and I've never found what I would consider a unique or even attractive mass produced case. Every one of them is a square box with or without a panel of connectors either hidden behind a cheap flimsy door or stuck in the middle of the case like a complete afterthought.
If you're not willing to build it or have someone build it, I say "Good luck cuz yur gonna need it."
I saw this mac case mod awhile back in Maximum PC, I think. Guy took a G4 tower and crammed non-mac hardware inside....They called it the Rotten Apple. Nice paint job as well. Take a look, it at HardOCP -
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MzUx
My MythTV HowTo
Ye ole IBM Model M http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&cate gory=4706&item=5148124982&rd=1
the best keyboard to this day, durable as anything and makes this awesome "click" when you press the keys. Tactile typing at its best!
And for mouse, the Microsoft Intellimouse optical
~Phin
http://www.pyroweb.us
It looks delicious (and this by the same company).
Just worked on a machine in this case in the shop... gorgeous, imo, especially in black. Though I'd probably switch the blue LEDs for red or something.
Take a dollar, divide it by 100, take two and call me in the morning.
because thats what these are for, as if iam going to want a made-in-taiwan apple
Let's just tar and feather all of the Canadian retailers. I just did a quick search and found at least 5 other companies selling the same kind of case.
Does anyone know if Nano boards are actually shipping anywhere? I've got a case project I'm workingon that is too small for mini-ITX.
Plug and Play or Play and Plug. Automatically adjust's to your male connector's size.
Dyslexics have more fnu.
If you want a mouse that will say something, check these out:
http://www.razerzone.com/
I've personally never used one, but I know several people who have, and have heard nothing but good things about them.
It depends on the models, some I like, some I don't, but the big problem with Shuttle is always that it looks OK until you mount an optical drive. How to match the material and color they use for their frontplates?? I personally think Shuttle should create something that I would call "bare-bone Plus", which means: include a matching DVD/CDRW.
There is one exception, and I bought that one myself two weeks ago, which is the SN85G4, an AMD64 model. I added a black OEM (Pioneer) DVD, which had no logo's at all, and the combination looks very classy. But of course, YMMV.....
Browsers shouldn't have a back button!! It's all about going forward...
...you try this place for your mouse and keyboard.
Although if you find their $US5000-8000 pricetags a bit much, the overstock page might be a bit more useful.
If you're looking for a bulletproof keyboard and extrememly responsive keys, get a Northgate Omnikey. You can find them on eBay, or buy one from this guy.
We have folks suggesting Macs.
We have folks suggesting that you make your own, and you could have for example a wooden computer that looks like 1970s DIY crap, or a plastic case with lights and a window.
We have folks suggesting enthusiast cases, like AlienWare, Lian-li's aluminum behemoth, or "the shark", which looks even cheaper than AlienWare's 1959 Cadillac Eldorado crap.
Apparently hoojum & hush are the best you're going to do around here. Shuttle only passes imho because you could stow it somewhere out of view.
There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
You could always run Linux on PPC hardware .. iMac, eMac, Power Mac G5... and the Mac peripherals are super styling.
What happened to the idea that Christmas means values: goodwill and love?
Instead of buying a new PC, why not buy something that teaches values. A good example is a new book: O'Reilly Factor for Kids. It teaches values and is a great stocking stuffer.
Surely if you're buying presents for yourself you should wait and hope for some good discounts after Christmas, in the January sales?
:-P )
Don't join the December 25'th buying/marketing hype now if you don't have to. And as you're buying for yourself you don't have to do so...
(...if only my family would wait until New Year for their Xmas presents...
http://www.coolermaster.com - Have a look at the wavemaster and the cavalier series. These are amongst the best built and damn good looking cases you can buy on the market.
I've always loved the look of these wooden mice & keyboards. http://www.woodcontour.com/index.php
Wanna get nasty? - DaNasty
Although somewhat an antithesis of "style", nothing I know of can beat a good ol' "Model M" IBM keyboard (not the cheap-ass Logitech ones) when it comes to quality. It's just the kind of thoughness that can last over a decade... not to mention that thing is sturdy enough to club someone with it and keep using it for its intended use afterwards.
Apparently Unicomp (http://www.pckeyboard.com/) still sells a model of the same design but I can't say anything about their quality.
I have heard good things about Hush, never owned one (haven't updated for a while). Mouse and keyboard, well, I use a freebie Compaq keyboard with integrated smartcard reader, it is absolutly solid, I feel like I could beat a football team to death with it and it wouldn't even notice. My mouse is a Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical, I've used this for a few years and have put it through constant running and near constant hardcore gaming (and I do have a temper) and it's held up on me. The other kind of mouse I'd recommend is a Logitech MX510. Don't even bother with wireless mice, they're a waste of money, and they DO have a delay.
this is expensive but cool, even more functional than a g5 case and it comes in black! newegg link
for a hush mini-itx system, and it doesn't even include a dvd drive. i like quiet, but i think i'll pass....
hard to find, not cheap, but I got my 2nd hand Cube for 800 euro. I equipped it with bluetooth (USB dongle) and airport. Then I dissembled an old PC LCD monitor to encapsulate it in a wooden frame which hangs on the wall, with the cables going thru the wall (the other side of the wall is staircase to basement). Now all I need are stylish speakers (the Apple Pro speakers are not such good quality (I don't like the soundsticks by the way)) and I have a really really nice audio setup that everyone envies.
When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
1. buy a Mac Classic on ebay (doesn't matter if it doesn't work, you just want the case). this should be real cheap. ;)
2. buy mini-itx and mod the case to fit board, power supply and 3.5-inch IDE disk inside
3. profit!!! errr i mean watch all the chicks dig your cool case. yes, gets all those hot chicks in your bed it does.
http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/
...I got that one, and I find it nice and stylish. Actually discrete is a more proper word, it is not flashy at all. Black with some silver decoration, it'll blend in most anywhere. Now, if only I could afford a 20" black LCD or something, it'd look even better...
Kjella
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
:) I moved on to dvorak by choice over the past year (well, over the summer in fact), and I am quite happy with the result. My only gripe is that most of the keyboards I have used have slightly differently shaped keys such that if I were to rearrange the keys they would not feel right under my fingers... this means that I generally use a standard qwerty keyboard, and just ignore the key layouts, making it quite confusing for anyone who watches me type or who attempts to use my computer without my permission... And when I look down at my fingers for whatever reason, I am visualizing a dvorak, instead of the letters... I looked at the keylabel replacement option, but that is just not interesting, i don't want a sticker under my fingers when I type... Thus, is there any place I could find dvorak keyboard for around 10 dollars? :) because that is the cost of my current keyboard, and it would be a shame to spend 60-80 dollars to get a dvorak keyboard...
Gravity Sucks
how about solid wood and stone peripherals?
There is also the backlit keyboard, both handy and stylish.
That's ok, Jesus likes me anyway.
I'm rather fond of my Antec Sonata
The exterior is pretty toned-down (aside from the blue led on the front, which I have unplugged for sleeping purposes), damn quiet, and well thought-out from front to back (drawers for all drives, rubber-mounted fan/drives, etc). For those who believe that the style of a case need not end once you open it, it's a good choice.
I got a great looking and functional NeXT Station from Blackhole Inc.
I am astonished that no one has mentioned soldam, a japanese case maker. very very nice stuff, but obviously comes at a price.
www.soldam.com
"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms,
I have a dead NeXTStation that I'm going to mod to fit an ITX board and three drives. I'm also hoping to figure out a way to maybe use something like a notebook DVD drive in place of the floppy port.
Actually modding these, though, is tougher than a standard PC case -- they're thick cast metal, which looks difficult to cut.
Next thing to do is find a monitor and keyboard that look like they belong with it. Or, I might just use it as a MythTV setup, as it'd look good beside a TV.
For my part, I still haven't found a machine to displace my NeXT Cube from my desk at home, though my Fujitsu Stylistic is getting pretty close.
I've always thought it a shame that NeXT wasn't able to continue to make up-dated motherboards for it (they did three, the original Motorola 68030 @ 25MHz, an '040 at 25, then the ``Turbo'' '040 @33MHz --- there are a couple of ``Nitro'' processor daughtercards at 40MHz though).
And of course, one could squeeze say 16 small motherboards into it, run a Beowolf Cluster and have a ``hypercube''.
Seriously, it's kind of sad that there's so little being done in the way of nice looking machine designs that an almost 15 year old design still seems current (or timeless?). Most of the nice design work these days seems to be at Apple (heir to the NeXT throne --- I just wish they did something other than the iPod in black) in laptops or Tablet PC systems, esp. those w/ docking options.
William
Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow.
Buy an ultra cheap POS case and strip out the PCI backplane for the rear of the case and the ATX mounting plate for the mobo. Then build the rest of the case out of wood. Been there, done that. nice!
So, let me translate. "Do what every male 16-25 has been doing with his PC for several years now- making a box with a window in the side of an ugly box, because it was "cool", so mainstream that now Dell and everybody else will sell you a machine with a window in the side. That will be more original than buying a Macintosh which is actually cutting edge design".
Everyone seems to be suggesting to go with a Mac.
I'm suggesting he go with a Mac keyboard. I've seen tons of PC keyboards just die- Mac keyboards just keep going, no matter what you dish out. The latest Pro keyboard is also pretty stylish and does not feel even remotely "plasticky" and cheap...cause it isn't. I remember when the original Extended II Pro keyboard was still around- mine lasted for years until ADB was finally not supported by Apple anymore. Those things were damn tanks!
As for a mouse, if you manage to break a Logitech optical, you're insane...I've had the same one for years, and I've never had to replace one in a work environment. Seen plenty of those shitty Microsoft mice die ugly deaths though.
Please help metamoderate.
I have a MicroATX case made by TTGI/SuperFlower, model SF-101S. I think they still have them at Kasecom -- but if they don't have them there, they're out for good, since TTGI said they're not making it any more. I love this case -- solidly made, very nice finish and it just plain looks nice.
-j
How about instead of sitting around thinking about how to make your computer pretty you do something with it.
Write some code or something. Jesus, computers aren't fashion accessories (excepting Apple metrosexuals).
"Orthodoxy means not thinking--not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness." --Eric Blair
I don't care what you have for a computer, it's the giant hairy nest of wires that, even with zip ties and velcro, never seem to calm down. Someone come up with an answer to that and I'm happier.
I know most people here are talking about toaster sized mini-ATX cases, but I've always been partial to the practicality (from a system tinkering point of view) of mid-tower cases.
For people in that demographic, I'd put my vote on the Antec Sonata. While it's not exactly silent, it's quieter than most; and it does look pretty slick with its high gloss black finish. Internally, it's one of the nicest cases I've ever had the pleasure of working on.
Of particular note is the the hard drive positioning and easy removal of all storage components (clips and rails). It also comes with a high quality 380W power supply (w/ SATA connectors), extra internal 6" fan, and front-panel-access for audio, USB and firewire.
Not too shabby for ~$120 CND.
No sig.
I had similar questions about a computer... so I went ahead and build this:
http://dctournament.com/wcpc/firstpc
I think it came out excellent, considering it was my first time building something this elaborate.
Forget your computer for a few days. It won't mind. If you have extra money after getting your loved one's their gifts hwy not put it towards something more satisfying. How about donating it to some shelters or soup kitchens, or maybe toys for tots. I know it's not the American thing to do any more but damn it's more important then turning your pc into the digital equivilant to a rice-burner.
Now a Merry Christmas to all and fucking do it right.
Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
Ahanix and SilverStone both make some really nice cases, as does CoolerMaster.
unless you specifically want to use the Mac OS, do not buy a mac just because it looks good (and, as many have pointed out, they do not all look good...). it sounds like this person is looking for a PC anyway, and as such it is annoying to see 20 posts saying "if you want style get a mac". (full disclosure: i use a mac, and a windows PC, each for different things, and i enjoy using both.)
you have to see this... just beautiful. Please Santa please!
http://matias.ca/tactilepro/index.php
from their site...
"The best keyboard Apple ever made" rises again.
The Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard is built from the same premium keyswitch technology that Apple used in its original Apple Extended Keyboard, widely viewed as the best keyboard Apple evermade.
Mechanical key switches for maximum comfort andspeed.
Mac users who crave the feel of Apple's quality keyboards of old will love this keyboard. The Tactile Pro Keyboard uses high-quality Alps mechanical keyswitches, with enhanced tactile feedback for greater comfort and faster typingspeeds.
Special characters and symbols at your fingertips.
No need to launch another application to find that special symbol. For quick and easy reference, the Tactile Pro's key caps are clearly labeled with the international characters, accents, punctuation, and currency symbols that are available by holding down the Option or Shift+Optionkeys.
Modern look and features.
With standard Eject and Volume control keys, the Tactile Pro keyboard has been carefully designed to match the look and features of Apple's Pro Keyboard. It will look as good on your desk as your Mac does.
2-port USB hub.
For quickly attaching USB peripherals, nothing beats the convenience of an in-keyboard USB hub. No more reaching through the tangle of wires behind your computer to download photos from your digital camera. Just plug it into the keyboard and you're ready to go. Works great with MP3 players, keyring hard drives, joysticks, and mice too.
Built like a tank.
The Tactile Pro Keyboard is built to last, and comes with a 5yearwarranty.
Seriously. I don't understand the fascination with so-called stylish computer cases. I can understand people who design and custom build their own cases; for them it's a work of art and a rewarding experience. However, buying some lame-ass neon clear-windowed case is like ricing up your car. Why don't you just spend the money on improving what's inside the case? Somehow I don't think all the neon lights in the world will make your computer more productive. Is Slashdot being taken over by fags?
I want to know how they managed to balance what looks like a very real cat on this case.
-= This is a self-referential sig =-
Just out of curiosity, did you check resellerratings.com to see if they had any customer feedback. If you didn't already, make sure to leave some feedback there. I guess this would be a good heads up for people not familar with this site. I typically wont buy from an online reseller if they don't have good reviews. Sure I pay more up front, but at least I don't have to go six months without a computer.
-- john
For cases, have a look at the Antec Sonata. A simple stylish design in smart piano black. Try a search at various online retailers that let buyer's post reviews and you'll find the case to be well-rated. The Nexus Breeze is also a nice design.
Here's what you need!
PS: I know its not PC hardware, but you'll have all the style you need.
Im getting a little tired of your spam Supersucker. Take your "free" dvr spam sig elswhere, like my email's spam directory. Given how many articles slashdot has about the scourge of spam how can you think that it is appropriate to spam here? May you post at 0 or -1 in short order, Superspammer.
On an offtopic (but at least not spam) note, right after I previewed this comment, my firewall detected a "SYN Portscan attack from:
Name: slashdot.org
IP Address: 66.35.250.150
Location: San Jose (37.350N, 121.950W)
Network: SAVVIS"
Anyone know what that means?
"Of course, nothing can be good enough for my Linux box..."
He said Linux. He said the above. Linux runs on PPC as well as Intel. Why must he buy a x86 PC? And wouldn't you be aghast if someone said "don't buy a PC unless you specifically want to use Windows"? Linux is not platform-bound.
"...do not buy a mac just because it looks good..."
Quite frankly, the guy specifically said he wants something that looks good.
I don't see the problem with recommending a stylish computer to someone who says they are looking for a stylish computer.
- I am made of meat.
If you're going for an AV-component look (i.e. clean and functional, but relatively stylish) then Silverstone make some pretty damn good cases.
Noooo... Those items, you think they're there to give you a sense of scale, but actually they're placed there to mislead you.
You see the cat -- it's a miniature. The apple too. The slot for the CD? Well it actually accepts an LD.
what keyboards are out there that allow you to rearrange the keys? (And the functions of the keys are re-arranged with their movement)
:)
I want to change a QWERTY keyboard to a rot13("QERTY") keyboard...memorizing transposition encryption was never easier.
tasks(723) drafts(105) languages(484) examples(29106)
The domain is down right now, but I can do custom work for you. What price range were you looking to spend?
Here's an example of a woodgrain keyboard that I did:
http://www.dashpc.com/show_picture.php?id=2230
I also do it for much less than the real-wood designs. The keyboard in that picture for example, would run you about $150 US.
It's not cheap by any stretch, but high quality will almost always cost more.
Don't think that a small group of dedicated individuals can't change the world. It's the only thing that ever has.
I know everyone else is thinking WTF would I pay over three hundred bucks for a keyboard.... then consider you paid x hundred for leather or heated seats or a cool stereo in your car. Now think hrmm, I spend about an hour a day in the car and 10 or 12 hours a day on the computer... getting a keyboard that is as close to erognomic perfection as currently possible may be a good idea.
Not to mention the thing is sweet; the gestures are very convenient, typing gets easy after a while... I own a Dvorak one and use it at the office - was considering the mac 'n touch one to drop into my powerbook but they discontinued it for reasons unknown. New software is always coming out (firmware for gesture customization, built in English dictionary (yes, in the keyboard itself)). My favorite part is being able to type and mouse on the same surface without having to move my hands. Check it out http://www.fingerworks.com/lp_product.html
I haven't posted in so long, my sig is out of date.
http://www.mbx.com/p/cooler_master/tac_t01_wavemas ter
Pics don't quite do it justice.
Get a surplus notebook with a broken or removed display, plug in your own keyboard, trackball, monitor and off you go. You don't even need a working battery.
They make the most beautiful media pc or just PC case in general. The ATC-620 is a wonderful case. It is a shame it is so often overlooked.
For a tower, I would say the Antec Sonata is about as nice as they come.
I do security
- Antec
- Silverstone - if getting an HTPC case, be careful to get one that doesn't have cooling problems with your CPU of choice. HTPC cases with higher numbers in their names are generally better at cooling.
- Travla
- Ahanix
- XOxide carries their own brand of cases, plus a lot of the other ones on this list.
- Arisetec (formerly Kanam)
- CoolerMaster
- Logic Supply
sells the Hush cases you're familiar with, along with some house-brand models.-- Fratz, human
RCAM Mobile has some incredible looking mobile computers. I have one and totally love it! Check them out at http://www.rcammobile.com
I used to own an IBM Aptiva S Series computer and let me say that it had a such a real nice black design way before black became the new beige.
:a p73 tops.gif
It was a good idea in terms of design to put the floppy and CD-Rom right under the monitor.
I found a (bad) picture of it
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/world/trotter/Material/
I look at the PC Mods that are "comperable" to a Mac and I have to wonder this question. The Macs I see are, for the most part, fairly tasteful. There have been some that are over the edge, such as the clamshell laptops. But every PC mod I've seen has been total ghetto pimp. How does a clear case with glowing neon lights substitute the practical yet stylish design qualities of a Mac? Also, whats really great about a Mac is the way it works. I've said it many times, I had no intention of switching to a mac until I tried THREE TIMES to purchase software to make DVDs (on two separate PCs, so no it wasn't a hardware problem). I finally was fed up and decided I would take a chance. It was the best $1200 I ever spent!!! This Christmas and last Christmas, the gift to our family was a DVD of the year's highlights. They love it, its easy, and despite working with 4 gigabyte files, the mac is fast and has never yet crashed!!! Its simply amazing.
I've been looking for stylish cases as well. I ran across the Asus Espresso and thought it looked pretty sexy with a touch sensitive LCD display. I am probably going to get it to be my new mythTV box. http://usa.asus.com/products/desktop/s-presso/over view.htm
Otherwise there's this scottish company that makes pretty cool cases: http://www.animationaudio.com/
HTPC (Home Theater PC) Cases are generally understated and made to look more like they house a stereo component then a computer.
The two most prominent manufacturers are Silverstone and Ahanix, generally one of the cases will set one back $100-$250-ish so they are definatly on the higher end of cases pricewise. Generally they suffer from a number of common defects - heat management is poor (the cases are meant to produce very little noise and airflow suffers accordingly), and the layouts and placement for the various components is, more often then not, cumbersome. That said, from an astetic standpoint they are clean, from a noise standpoint they are quite; they are the kind of thing that would be at home in a living room...
How do I keep track of people who are fingering
Man those Hush machines look nice, but their English website is just awful. Anyone using one of those for a MythTV box? Thoughts?
There is no gravity...the earth just sucks.
iMac G5 20" - that's stylish. But that's not a PC.
. . . see a market for truly artistic PC cases? It seems there are very few companies that do this, and it's basically adding some spray paint, christmas lights and plexiglass windows to your generic box.
Haiku's are easy
The best can touch you deeply.
Hippopotamus.
And now we have a new "silver" color scheme for the LP that fits beautifully with all those Macs mentioned up thread!
But where do I put my FreeBSD badge? :)
I really like the iDeq mini's from Biostar, with one exception; they are still a tad loud. I am hoping for a version with external PSU.
I have the ideq200t, and it looks pretty sweet IMO.
Along the lines of what this poster is asking, can anyone recommend a nice cube-style (i.e. not a tower) MicroATX case? I'm trying to build a small server that needs more expansion than Mini-ITX provides, so I've purchased a MicroATX board that has the slots I need.
I'm partial to the Antec Aria, but I'm going to be putting a floppy drive in it instead of a CD drive (CD drive goes in the external SCSI tower that will be connected) and there doesn't seem to be a faceplate or bezel/mounting kit for 3.5" drives that won't spoil its aesthetics.
BenQ makes some interesting keyboards and mice, including some in partnership with BMW design group.
The NEC 1765 is a really stunning looking monitor both on and off - you need to see it in person to appreciate it, the best looking LCD i found.
The rest of the PC was plain old AMD-Shuttle, finding a classy, suitable for an executive type PC case is really hard.
closed minded is as closed minded does
http://www.atechfabrication.com/
http://www.ahanix.com/
http://www.silverstonetek.com/
Kanam has some nice cases, but I can't seem to be able to find their website any longer. However, you can buy Kanam cases from a number of places, like:
http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Cases/ht 400.asp
The Hush case can't be bought by itself. Same goes for a similar case from another German manufacturer - Mappit. I had a Hoojum Cubit 3. Very pretty, but limited, due to poor ventilation and of course, small size.
Noone mentioned them because their cases are ugly. At least, the ones they currently have on their website.
"No problem. I have the capacity to do infinite work so long as you don't mind that my quality approaches zero."-Dilbert
Alienware has some truly great cases. In fact, all the other ones I've seen mentioned here are ugly, square, or both. There's really not much on the style front here.
"No problem. I have the capacity to do infinite work so long as you don't mind that my quality approaches zero."-Dilbert
All I want is one decent looking pink case. I just don't understand why manufacturers don't market to females. I've built numerous computers for myself and for a lot of my girl friends. We would definitely splurge for premium colors. Computers are a permanent fixture at most of our places and gosh darnit, I want my box to match my color scheme...
Is there ANY available? What do people use, for heavens' sake?
What I mean by this is that I need:
I can't find anything that actually meets these requirements. My mother has a Mini-ITX machine in her study at present, something like this, but the fan noise is too much for the living room.
Mini-ITX.com sell Epia fanless motherboards with processor already mounted, and I gather that 600mhz or so is fine for a MythTV box, if one is using Hauppage cards' onboard MPEG hardware, but they all have only one PCI slot.
I can find riser cards to convert these motherboards to accept a second PCI, card, but the only case I can find that accept this hardware is pretty uninspiring.
So it seems to me that in order to build a decent MythTV box I have to do some modding of some sort, which I'd really rather not do. Has anyone solved this problem with an off-the shelf solution.
Alex.
The best media center kb/mouse combo I have seen is the Gyration (http://www.gyration.com/) I have not tried the new media center combo yet, but the old GT combo (mini kb and gyroscopic mouse) is excellent. That mouse is THE single best mouse I have ever used. The kb is a little shoddy but the mouse is extremely well built.
First you where looking for good quality peripharals... You seem to have the small form factor case down. I am a littel leary of the Nanode, since the specs are a little vague and it runs on a VIA cpu.
Today most computer parts are no longer beige, it seems that build quality has gone down. Mitsuko which is generally considred low end becuase of the price, but they make a good keyboard available in a variety of colors, and for mice Alienware has all the microsoft high end mice in custom colors. You pay a little bit for it but they match the mitsuko keyboards in color.
As for cases most cases look like cheap plastic junk now. I've been using a server size chenming that is similar to the original alienware. Not flashy not cheap looking, but has the size I need to run all my drives, as well as clean lines.
Another option is just to check out www.newegg.com and see what is offered they have a large selection, with pictures of every item, as well as a good search engine, and search engine interface.
---In a time of Chimpanzees I was a Monkey.
I have an old Sony stereo receiver I got off a trash pile. I gutted it and installed an old G3 Mac and 2 160GB hard drives. This is my digital music player in my A/V rack. As soon as I can afford it, I'd like to get a smallish (6" high) LCD touch screen and use that to control iTunes. For now, I just remote access it.
You might be able to find some cool retro A/V cases, ala McIntosh. That would sweet, especially if you got the analog gauges working.
I drank what? -- Socrates
If you want a REALLY high quality keyboard with GREAT key feel, I would recommend either a vintage IBM Model M keyboard, or a new version of the same design. You can find those here:
or better yet, eMail me at curtharmsebay@ameritech.net and buy one from me. :) I have a few used ones that I'm cleaning up. :)
http://store.yahoo.com/pckeyboards/keyboards.html
or here:
http://www.shoppalstores.com/ibmmodelm/index.cfm
If you decide to go with a Mac, the very best Mac keyboard ever made is the Apple Extended Keyboard II, or the original version of that keyboard, the Apple Extended Keyboard. Both have good key feel. They are ADB, but you can get an ADB to USB adapter. http://www.macsales.com have a few used ones available. As far as looks go, both these keyboards only appeal in the vintage category, but some might consider them good looking. I think they're kinda cool looks-wise from a vintage standpoint. I care more about key feel anyway, then I do about looks. Just my 4 cents. (For a comment this long 2 cents just isn't enough.
That Masamune Shirow mouse is nifty too, but not ninety bucks' worth.
At one stage, I was looking into building a computer with small, functional yet aesthetically pleasing case. Of all the ones I looked at the AOpen XC Cube cases seemed the best, at least in terms of aesthetics.
aus.music.scrapbook
If you are looking to stick a mini-itx board in something, you can use almost anything as a case. I like the classics, and breathed new life into a dead SGI O2 workstation. (Not pics my box, but a nice set of pictures of the space you have to work with) Add a wireless mouse and keyboard, mix in a nice LCD display, and it makes for a lovely terminal.
The look on my uncle's face when they saw the 'email and web browsing' computer sitting on their mom's desk was priceless. Such awe for a meager fan less 533mhz Eden board - due only to the case. (grin) A gift that keeps on giving.
+++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
Why not go the local goodwill and get a NES for $5. Nothing is quite a sexy as the NESpc.
http://www.soldam.co.jp/
Only for Japanese though it seems.
Mid Jan, my parents wanted to buy me something nice for my PC, since I am here so often, I really wanted the "Logitech diNovo"t list/NL/EN,crid=2155
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/produc
but would feel guilty forever....so I found a place that sells their normal bluetooth desktop, but those diNovo's look pretty stylish, what you need is a matching flat screen and there you go.
It's not only the style I want to be accustomed with ... I also want functionality .. The OS needs to be customizable enough; eventually kernel tweaking or GUI tweaking could be a nice thing. Since it is running a UNIX kernel it must be easy to adapt from Linux/BSD me thinks?
I am not wanting to get rid of my PC's, but maybe a extra apple in the house could be healthier than working with something that could fail when it's needed most (Murphy's law? IANAL)
What type of apple I should buy... I got accustomed with the Mac OS X and it seems to be requiring less maintenance than the Windows PC equivalent.
Is there any Linux X server like Mac OS X ?
I love to use the interface; it's smooth, it runs and don't see it crashing often.. XP and 98 crashes weekly 3-4 times and gets bloated after a time ready to be reinstalled ...
Anything like:
- Cooledit for Mac OS? And I mean really as good (or better?) I am DJ, I also make songs myself using the multitrack technology of it; I also want to be able to process my soundfiles with compression and effects wherever needed.
- Instead of Office, Openoffice?
- good ssh programs like securecrt? (I love the program, will be tabbed in next version)... It's convenience
...
- good editors like Editplus ? (It just works - always - have an old license and it still works perfect...
- does it work good with windows sharing (netbios) ? (I know about Samba but sometimes got probs with it - its not exactly point-and-click there unless using Webmin or such
..
- Needs to work 24/7, no overheating issues like my Compaq EVO N1000v laptop (which needs to be issued back to Compaq because of failing parts - 5th time!!) and Compaq finds it normal?
- Stuff like Paintshop Pro (Like it more over photoshop ; less bloated and faster)?
- good and easy desktop player like winamp ? (RIP)
- Can I turn off automatic updates?
- I am accustomed with Slackware, NetBSD and Solaris. Is OS X as maintainable as Slackware? Everything through the prompt using Bash?
---Windows its like the smith-and-wesson interface: point and click... but if it fails u've got a problem
--- I am known for the ones who want to find me on the net. Is that a privacy risk or a privilege? One might wonder..
since everyone else has mentioned using macs or mac cases, i would say colorware deserves a mention
though they aren't apple-only anyway
...we don't care about style.
First I am American.
2nd your chart does not take into account population growth. Nor the increase in charities. and no 250 billion dollars is not enough. Especially when an increasing amount of chritable donations goes to administrative costs.
And finally yes I am an asshole, i'll do what it takes to get the point across even if it makes everyone hate me. If what I have said makes even one person stop think and act then I was sucessful.
Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
Your write-up was interesting. The Nanode looks the nicest, while not being very practical. But, I think you're forgetting the obvious.
I have a website. It's about Macs.
Soltek IQ3601 - Via C3 1Ghz, colored cases, just throw in some DDR266 memory, a hard drive, CDROM and voila! Bought mine from newegg.com, the damn thing is too quiet. I forget it is on, except the hard drive spinning noise is just enough to make you hear something, but not enough to identify what it is.
www.soltek.com.tw
6 USB ports, 2 1394, VGA, 6.1 audio, optical audio out, TV out option, 1 PCI slot, all for under 200 bucks!
I may buy a couple more to hand out at Christmas.
Cheers-
Self Defense - A Human Right www.a-human-right.com
Well, you made me stop and think long enough to do the math.
With 12.5 % of a population of 295,000,000 at the poverty level, or 36,875,000. Following the previous poster's chart of $250 billion donated, that means that each person at the poverty level in the United States could receive $6779.66. (No links, you can do your own math.) I'd say giving each impoverished American a newer used Volvo is pretty generous. Of course, if it was donated more wisely instead of more freely, it might actually get where it is needed.
Also, if you'd care to check around on your 'American' spirit you leftist commie pinko America hating Michael Moore wannabe moron, on such sites as The World Food Programme, you might see that America normally gives more to humanitarian causes than the rest of the world combined.
If you wanted to start a "save the world" thread on slashdot, it would have probably been more beneficial and more 'interesting' to suggest we all visit thehungersite.com.
I'd also be more inclined to suggest that the author possibly donate his old PC to the local library after he upgrades or something that seems maybe a little less forceful than "screw your wants and needs, give your hard earned money away".
Btw, to the author, since you seem to be interested in SFF, the Asus S-presso has a nice look to me.
Personally I've been using rackmount cases for years, after the initial investment of the rack (some as cheap as $200), the case prices are comparable to other high end cases. You can find some nice 3u cases from I-star and A+GPB that are reasonably priced and good for almost any motherboard. I have found it to be a particularly good solution for those with multiple machines. I've got six machines mounted in a 42u rack on casters (nice when I rearrange my apartment).
Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome. - Isaac Asimov
The image of the Hoojum kinda reminds me of the old motorhead creado.
"If it don't go... chrome it."
I have to travel to Asia in a couple of weeks and urgently need to buy & configure a very small, yet powerful 64 bit server to take with me that can generate hundreds of digital signatures per second with RSA private keys. I need to fit this server in a small backpack to take with me onto a plane as carry-on. So far the best that I can find is the Shuttle SN95G5 which supports the AMD64 socket 939. Does anyone have any better (faster, smaller, or cheaper) alternatives to the shuttle? As a server, I will be running NetBSD on it, likely headless or with just a 80x25 text console, so I don't care about video or audio, but USB2.0 would be nice. And as a server, stability/reliability is critical. Alternatively, if anyone know of any PCI cards that can do hardware accelerated RSA with NetBSD or OpenBSD support, please let me know, since I can put that in a smaller/cheaper Mini-ITX case. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Alicia.
If you want to mod an existing setup, then there are several places to get wooden veneer on your case, keyboard or mouse. Exotic Wood Crafts is one.
Beta is broken and the link to classic doesn't work. Stop wasting our time or there won't be anybody left here.
zzzzzzI alsozzzzz have a zzzzzzstuck "Z" zzzzz key. I need zzzzzz a new zzzzz keyboard.
I am now going to demonstrate to you what happens when i type and move my mouse at the same time (wireless keyboard/mouse) - this is a and s repeatedly, anything other than asasasas is a cockup:
s ss ssss
asassasassssssssssaasssssssssssssssssssssssssss
great eh?
thats an MCK-9000 from Ortek. Its actually quite a good keyboard once youve identified that problem and got used to only using one at once.
I went with building my own in an Antec Aria case when I wanted something that didn't look like I hacked it all together from chewing gum and sheet metal.
Upsides: Small, hidden optical drive (to prevent seeing a beige faceplate with "52X" printed on it,) front-facing ports, fairly quiet, well-cooled for a toaster-sized PC.
Downsides: Blue LEDs can blind you from 15 miles away. Not a system to leave running in your bedroom overnight. Plastic outer panels, while lightweight, don't have the same feel of sturdiness as a Lian Li aluminum case.
Overall, though? It's the kind of system my *girlfriend* approves of, as it's not a huge chunk of aluminum that sounds like a jet taking off. If the ladies approve, it must be good.
Raptor
"Procrastination is great. It gives me a lot more time to do things that I'm never going to do."
The best computer case is an absent one.
As far as I'm concerned, the most stylish case would be an oak desk tailored for my spatial needs, with embedded monitors. Then build the computer inside the desk, completely hidden. Even the CD/DVD tray should be hidden until needed.
Leftist commie pinko America hating Michael Moore wannabe moron?
Ok.
Let's see what have you ever done for your Country. Let's see I was proud enough to join and fight in the US Military. 8 years of honorable service. As for leftist, well maybe you are right but I guess that's what I get for having been an Episcopalian minister. Though I am no longer one some things never change. And I truly believe this is the time of the year NOT to be selfish, you have 11 months to spend treating your self to the nicities of life, all I ask is that you spend some time thinking of others you self righteous idiot.
Before you ever talk to me again, hit rock bottom, then dig yourself out and turn your life around.
Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
Cretins. How is this redundant? Metamods please note.
1/3 of jokes get modded OT. If you get the joke, mod 1 in 3 insightful/interesting/underrated to restore karma balance.
the amount of giving has doubled in 30 years. has the population ?
any more stupid comments ?
you are a threadjacker and Im glad you agree to being an asshole. admitting it is half the battle.
btw, Americans bash the U.S. the most. its the "in" thing now.
I'm all for a good government bashing, but when you claim
the most generous people on earth don't give enough, well, the numbers alone prove you a fool.
just a quick followup, you prick:
5
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=36351
europe combined is only giving 4 million (as of this moment)