Slashdot Mirror
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.
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.
...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.
I own the brand name, ClearPC (www.clearpc.ca). We modify each case we build, on demand by our customers. Basically, it's a very small operation involving about 6 people. (As a comparison, I once read that Beantech had 500 employees). I pack each case in a generous helping of bubblewrap and then each case is placed on a layer of styrofoam "peanuts" top and bottom. The case is placed in a double walled cardboard box for added secuity and sealed with a security tape for tampering. Our cases enter the USA and are subject to inspection by customs but this is rare as customs knows us quite well. There have been problems with FEDEX damaging a parcel but the ratio in 2004 is 9 for every 500 cases shipped. If a case arrives damaged, we put in for an insurance claim and ship the customer a new case after the damaged one has been picked up by FEDEX. We don't make you wait for a claim (which is 30 days for us), we ship a new case as soon as the new one is available and that at our cost. We only ship ground because of the costs to ship from here. It's about $22. I have to seriously question your comments about "waiting 6 months" and "trying to get a response." That just doesn't happen here. Every case I build is built with a uni-body construction so you're case is shipped "complete" with a package of parts for mounting. There really isn't all that much that can be missing so I don't really understand the reference to a "full case" not being shipped. Only Sunbeam and Beantech build cases with a lot of "pieces." My case is built mostly from a single sheet of acrylic, wrapped and rounded over onto itself. I use 8 acorn nuts, 4 to fasten the side panel and 4 to fasten the removable front section -- that's it so there isn't too much to go wrong there. The rest of the case is bonded together. If you have a problem that you are pissed about, contact me at info@clearpc.ca My customer service is responsive and it's built on respect, 1 case at a time. I don't ship tens of thousands of units: I am the orange county choppers of acrylic case modding. Each case is hand built with some CNC and built to customer spec.. I don't fohk around when it comes to my cases, expletives aside. If you have a problem, I will fix it. Email me and we'll talk.