Archive for the ‘Desktops’ Category
SpeedingComputer.com, the social network for computer enthusiasts, is giving away some cool prizes including a free 1 Terabyte hard drive. At Speeding Computer, “people come together to share, discuss and even show off the latest hardware, software and technology.” It is the hot new destination for all things computer related, and they have been creating quite a bit of buzz online.
Check out the social network for computers yourself, or click here to enter to win a free 1TB Hard Drive.
In an attempt to help small business owners fight the headache caused by cluttered desks and overcrowded workspaces, Dell announces its first all-in-one PC designed specifically for the small business owner. The Dell Vostro All In One’s compact, sleek design allows buyers to maximize their desk space. When used with the optional VESA mount, customers can save up to 79 percent of their desk space. With the optional integrated Wi-Fi capability and a wireless mouse and keyboard, users can enjoy a complete wire-free desk. (more…)
For some it’s just a way to make that ugly beige computer tower on your desk look better, and add something to the aesthetics of your work space. For others, it’s a labor of love modifying their computer cases to create an amazing work of art. And then there are those who need to carve a bit more utility out of their computer cases. For everyone else, there are pictures…of the creations these folks have devised.
So sit back, grab some popcorn, don’t forget to get a cold drink from the fridge, and take a look at 13 amazing computer case mods.
- Dodge Charger PC Case (Pre Fabbed)
A marriage between car and computer never looked so good. The company behind this case mod has built a fully functional computer and put it inside a car model. The headlights and taillights blink and the hood ornament serves as the power button. Featuring Intel Core 2 Duo processors, these sharp looking computers actually boot up to the sound of a HEMI engine. For those that like to change the look of their PC often, the outer shells of these bad boys are interchangeable. Want a Dodge Magnum body instead? It’s easy to change because the components are all mounted on one standard frame.
- The Giant Tetris Case
This case comes to you from the creative minds of a Spanish gaming group. There are several computers that actually make up the display as seen in the picture above. The colorful Tetris blocks are actually acrylic panels built to attach to each other to form the pile of blocks.
- Computer Desk and Case in One
This case mod brings a whole new meaning to the words “Computer Desk.” The senior technology editor over at Popular Mechanics set out to create the ultimate computer desk. The result is a beast of a machine with all the latest and greatest components they could find. The transparent desktop allows you to see the innards of the computer, and the blue lighting really adds to the displayability of the desk. Just make sure you have a cloth handy to wipe down the finger prints.
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Ben Reitzes, an analyst with Barclays Capital, believes that Walmart is flirting with the idea to begin selling Apple computer products in their store in the future.
Apparently they are looking to fill the gap that now defunct electronics retailer Circuit City left. Walmart is working on revamping and doing a hefty makeover of their electronics section by expanding their HDTV and Blu-ray selections and expanding their smartphone line up. Walmart is also one of the select stores where you can buy the new Palm Pre in June. (more…)
Meco has invented an unique, yet innovative way to attractively disguise the original and dull appearance of the personal computer. Hidden within the walls of the “what looks to be” a wooden table is a high performance home theater PC.
The specs include a whopping 8GB of RAM, 4+ Terabytes of hard drive storage, a crisp ATi Radeon HD 4850 graphics card and 7.1 surround sound with both analog and digital outputs. The Meco PC is running on a Vista-based operating system and the computer’s shell (shown as a table above) is available in a vast amount of finishes as well. (more…)
Five years ago, when you built a computer it was all about the “bling.” All kinds of LED lights in your fans, windows in the side of the case so you could see all the components inside, and some really funky looking alien face…if you didn’t have these, the hot new computer you just built wasn’t cool enough. Their is either the option of building your own extreme custom computer case mod (which takes a lot of work) or getting one of these hot cases pre-fabbed cases below. I for one am happy to say that the new style of choice is simplistic and stylish for most cases. It is almost as if the world has gone Apple on everyone.
I now present 15 of the coolest and most unusual pre-fabricated computer cases for your hungry eyes.
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Antec Skeleton
If your idea of a conversation piece is starting with your computer case, then this is a good way to go. The Skeleton is an open air, full featured case that only weighs in at 21.4 pounds without any components. The cooling system is a gigantic 250mm fan mounted on top of the case and one 92mm HDD cooling fan mounted on the front. It is capable of receiving most motherboard configurations such as Mini-ITX, MicroATX and Standard ATX. There are front ports for USB, Firewire, eSATA and Audio In and Out.
At around $150, this case seems like it could deliver a unique experience. Just make sure you have enough money left over to buy some canned air. I can imagine the dust accumulation on this case will be an issue.
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ABS Canyon 695
The sleek, elegant Canyon 695 is quite unique and big. Produced by Lian Li, it is being distributed in the US and Canada by ABS. The case is very tall at 26.8 inches, and despite its size, the fully aluminum case only weighs in at 26 lbs. At first glance, one might think that there is something seriously wrong with this case; there are no optical drive slots in the front! Instead the optical drive bays are located on the right side of the case. The front of the case is an aluminum panel that can be removed to reveal a dust filter and three highly effective 140mm cooling fans.
Inside the case, there are three compartments for your components. A section for your hard drives is at the bottom, with another section in the center for the motherboard and her components. Finally at the top part of the case is the section for the PSU and optical drives. A project of passion, this case is not the basis for a quick and dirty computer build, and even comes with a screw driver to assist with securing your various components where they go. There are very few tool-free options on this case.
As far as cases go, this case is unique and stylish. Unless you’re a case connoisseur though, the $600 price tag might be a serious road block for you.
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ThermalTake VF7001BNS DH101
Do you like home theater? Do you like computers? Why not put them together!? This simplistic case just screams for you to add it to your home theater setup. And why not? With so much of our entertainment content moving online, it’s easy to finally marry cyberspace to your living room. The DH101 blends in with your existing components so well, your friends might just ask you when ThermalTake started producing home theater audio video components. The built in front LCD is capable of displaying equalizers, status and different languages.
Ventilation is efficient, though you would still be wise to follow normal stereo component guidelines for keeping your equipment properly cooled. At the front is mounted a 120mm silent intake fan, at the rear you can find dual 60mm silent exhaust fans. The case supports micro ATX and standard ATX motherboards and most standard graphics cards. Larger graphics cards will likely not be able to fit in this case, but you’re not likely going to be fragging your buddies with this case set up are you? For a price tag of just over $200 USD, this case goes for just a bit more than many low end individual stereo receivers, but when paired with the right computer components, this case will be able to do so much more. See more.
- Zalman FATAL1TY FC-ZE1
Created by well known professional gamer and CPL champ, FATAL1TY, the Zalman FATAL1ty FC-ZE1 case looks deadly in its own right. What is FATAL1TY’s recipe for pixelized mayhem and destruction? Start with 5mm thick aluminum paneling. Add precision laser etched graphics. Combine tool-free HDD installation with anchored spinning bars and rubber wheels. One easy to open side panel opened with a single sliding latch, red LED accent lighting and fans that when combined with other FATAL1TY branded hardware creates an evil looking them.
Lovingly add your preferred hardware components and add a heaping teaspoon of knowhow and you have yourself one sharp looking computer system. With a price tag of $359.99, this case is not for the budget minded.
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XCLIO Windtunnel
The XCLIO Windtunnel is a touted as a simple case with a simple design. Two massive 250mm blue LED fans are mounted on the side of the case, with an optional fan mount on the front and rear of the case as well. Each of the large side mounted fans are intended to cool the motherboard and her components and the drive bays respectively. A speed control feature enables you to control just how much air is being delivered to your precious components from the behemoths.
Installing drives is quick and easy with clips and rails that do not require tools. For the pack rat who doesn’t delete anything or the movie enthusiast who requires massive amounts of HDD space, there are 6 available HDD trays for your storage devices. The case is capable of supporting Micro and Standard ATX form factors. For around $110 this case is a decent value for the gamer that needs to keep their components nice and cool.
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The new Asus Eee PC-in-a-Keyboard is exactly what it sounds like, an entire PC fitted inside of a keyboard. It also has a small touchscreen display in place of the number pad on the right.
The specs include:
- 1.6Ghz Atom Processor
- 1GB of Ram
- 8GB or 16GB SSD Drive
- 5″ Touchscreen display
- VGA and HDMI output (optional wireless video capability)
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All-in-One desktop computers are all the rage these days, and Lenovo’s entry into the market is definitely a heavy hitter. It’s curved, seamless design is very aesthetically pleasing and has a very clean and modern appearance, though it seems to borrow a bit from the iMac. Overall, it is a fairly standard desktop unit with fairly standard components. Some of the more favorable features are optional, so the starting price of $999 may quickly escalate depending on what features you decide to add. (more…)
HP’s latest gaming machine is on the horizon, and a pic of the system has recently been leaked on the net. The HP Firebird PC 803 is a followup model to the previous, bulkier, HP Blackbird 002, and this model features many compact, streamlined features to make it more accommodating for users.
The disc drive, for starters, is now vertical rather than horizontal, as are many other components, which allows for a much thinner tower. This not only saves tons of space, but makes the PC look more like a gaming console than a PC. (more…)
Oil immersion has long been relegated to the realm of home-built, custom made PC’s, which is a real shame because it’s so darn effective and efficient in cooling computers and keeping them silent. Typical home setups have non-conductive oil running through a pump system, often to an external heat dispersal system. Of course, this requires not only the skill to build the computer first, but being patient and smart enough to deal with the mess of oil around computer parts. Thus, only the most dedicated PC enthusiasts even bother with this.
Hardcore, a new PC manufacturing company, wants to change all that by introducing a line of computers in which all the internals, not just selected components, are completely submerged in non-conductive oil starting with the PC you see above, named the Reactor. (more…)
