Discussion: A computer case you can mount a monitor to.

[MarcellusCrow]

Hello readers of Tech Powerup,

My name is Ruairí McNicholas, and I’m working on a computer case that I think you’ll like.

In short, I’m working with an engineer, Oliver, to create a case to which you can mount a monitor. It has features for cable management, monitor tilt and height adjustment, and has a carry handle for easy transportation to work and LAN parties.

Sounds good, right?

Our story starts with F1 in Schools; a worldwide technology challenge that aims to get young people involved in engineering. Of 20,000 teams, we were one of 39 who made it to the World Finals in Abu Dhabi. We didn’t win the big trophy and scholarships to City University London, but Oliver gained a deep interest and aptitude in engineering, and I developed my passion and flair for graphic design and communications.


The Crono Labs C1 Case is the spectacular product of two gamers and hardware enthusiasts desire to use a better case, and we’re looking for help from the gaming and hardware community to help us bring our idea to the market.


We’re looking for two things from you: feedback on our ideas, and what your ideas for improving the case are, and help spreading the word and getting our idea out there. You can do that by subscribing to our newsletter, liking our Facebook page and following us on Twitter.


What do you think of our idea so far?

What features would you like to see added?

We want a case that’s of universal interest to all gamers and hardware enthusiasts, not just ourselves, and we need your input to do that.


Early Renders:

More information, as well as our Social Media outlets and newsletter, can be found on our website.


Looking forward to hearing from you guys,

 

[Caring1]

I think this sounds like advertising, which is against forum policy.

 

[MarcellusCrow]

I think this sounds like advertising, which is against forum policy.

Hoping it's not since we're not selling a product or even crowdfunding, just looking for input and suggestions.

 

[dorsetknob]

I think this sounds like advertising, which is against forum policy.

@MarcellusCrow
It is at best a project and most probably Advertising for a final product
Please Contact @W1zzard for the Site Advertising Rates
or
you could Supply a example to various members for Product evaluation
Put me down for one

 

[Frick]

This entirely depends on what components you can fit into it. The basic concept is very good IMO (and something I've been thinking about meself), but again, the execution and thermals etc will be vastly important.

EDIT: I'm not sure it should be agains forum rules. The goal is to be a product in the end, but right now it's evidently only on a concept stage and as such might not even end up as a product.

 

[MarcellusCrow]

This entirely depends on what components you can fit into it. The basic concept is very good IMO, but again, the execution and thermals etc will be vastly important.

Cheers! At the moment we expect it to be able to fit:

• mATX or ITX motherboard
• ATX PSU
• One 3.5″ drive
• Three 2.5″ drives
• GPU’s up to 10.5″
• Low profile CPU coolers
• Five 120mm fans

We're doing extensive testing on the thermals to ensure they won't be an issue.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

You can buy VESA mountable computers so the computer attaches to the monitor. They're usually tiny little things with laptop parts though. I think they're designed mostly for thin clients.


Example:
Antec Mini-ITX Case ISK110-VESA

 

[MarcellusCrow]

@MarcellusCrow
It is at best a project and most probably Advertising for a final product
Please Contact @W1zzard for the Site Advertising Rates
or
you could Supply a example to various members for Product evaluation
Put me down for one

If it's deemed advertising we'll delete it; we don't have an estimated date for release so advertising hasn't even been considered yet.
Do you mean a physical example/prototype? Our budget is small so it's likely we'll only have 3 or 4 to send to Youtubers and reviewers, but if you're interested we'll look into it!

You can buy VESA mountable computers so the computer attaches to the monitor. They're usually tiny little things with laptop parts though. I think they're designed mostly for thin clients.

We've seen those, and yes, the parts they take are quite small. We're aiming to end up with a case that can take the parts needed for intensive gaming and work (video editing, ect).

 

[AsRock]

but anyways don't even LED screens need to breath ?. The idea of having a monitor attached to to case sounds much more realistic but this is not that it's the other way around and would be worried about it falling over never mind in the picture the plastic stand as i hope it's more sturdy than it looks as i hate to be the one who knocked the table.

I keep looking at that picture and the only thing i can see that doing is falling backwards.

 

[dorsetknob]

but anyways don't even LED screens need to breath ?. The idea of having a monitor attached to to case sounds much more realistic but this is not that it's the other way around and would be worried about it falling over never mind in the picture the plastic stand as i hope it's more sturdy than it looks as i hate to be the one who knocked the table.

I keep looking at that picture and the only thing i can see that doing is falling backwards.

@AsRock, When i get my evaluation example i will let you know

 

[BarbaricSoul]

so your concept is to produce a case that allows enthusiasts to build AIO custom computers. As long as you allow for proper cooling and enough room for high-end components, this could be a very good thing.

 

[MarcellusCrow]

but anyways don't even LED screens need to breath ?. The idea of having a monitor attached to to case sounds much more realistic but this is not that it's the other way around and would be worried about it falling over never mind in the picture the plastic stand as i hope it's more sturdy than it looks as i hate to be the one who knocked the table.

I keep looking at that picture and the only thing i can see that doing is falling backwards.

I think you have it wrong: The monitor does indeed attach to the case; the stand supports the case and its components, not the monitor.
The issue of tipping is something that has been highlighted by members of other forums so we're giving it a lot of thought. So far Oliver, the engineer, has done virtual testing in Solidworks, with parts in the case, and tipping has not been an issue so far

 

[dorsetknob]

so your concept is to produce a case that allows enthusiasts to build AIO custom computers. As long as you allow for proper cooling and enough room for high-end components, this could be a very good thing.

Happy birthday fellow TPU er

A self build AIO with the resultant upgrade potential must be a good idea

 

[MarcellusCrow]

so your concept is to produce a case that allows enthusiasts to build AIO custom computers. As long as you allow for proper cooling and enough room for high-end components, this could be a very good thing.

Pretty much! AIO's come with parts you may not want or already have, and some don't allow you to change the monitor; we aim to solve both of these problems.
Adequate cooling is one of our top priorities.

 

[dorsetknob]

and some don't allow you to change the monitor

Never seen a AIO that allows you to change the monitor they are Built in
replace a defective panel yes but not the whole moniter

 

[Aquinus]

I think you have it wrong: The monitor does indeed attach to the case; the stand supports the case and its components, not the monitor.
The issue of tipping is something that has been highlighted by members of other forums so we're giving it a lot of thought. So far Oliver, the engineer, has done virtual testing in Solidworks, with parts in the case, and tipping has not been an issue so far

Does that suggest that the case has VESA mount points on it? How about chaining AC power from the computer to the monitor to reduce the amount of wires (which could be controlled by a relay to only be on when the PC is on.) Just an idea. Sounds like a nifty idea though.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

Why has it got a handle?
The stand should have a matte finish.
Connectors should come out of the side of the foot not the front.


Are we forming a queue for free samples?

 

[MarcellusCrow]

Does that suggest that the case has VESA mount points on it? How about chaining AC power from the computer to the monitor to reduce the amount of wires (which could be controlled by a relay to only be on when the PC is on.) Just an idea. Sounds like a nifty idea though.

Yep, it does indeed have VESA mount points on it.
That's a good idea! I'll pass it on to the engineer, thanks

Why has it got a handle?
The stand should have a matte finish.
Connectors should come out of the side of the foot not the front.


Are we forming a queue for free samples?

The handle is for ease of transport, for example bringing it to LAN parties, or just moving it from one spot to another. It's proved to be a popular feature on other forums and reddit.
Free samples are going to be pretty rare! Our plan is to fund several through IndieGoGo, and send them to people to review on tech forums and YouTube, then, and this is the cost saving part, to send it to the next reviewer. We'll be looking into getting the shipping pre-paid so you just bring it to the post office once you've reviewed it.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

We'll be looking into getting the shipping pre-paid so you just bring it to the post office once you've reviewed it.

excellent

 

[Mussels]

wouldnt a regular 'gaming' case with VESA mounts and a reinforced side panel be sufficient? Hell even a semi-retractable arm off the case would do this.

the renders above look like it requires a certain kind of monitor to work correctly, and the weight limits would severely hamper it for anything beyond lightweight ITX builds.

 

[MarcellusCrow]

wouldnt a regular 'gaming' case with VESA mounts and a reinforced side panel be sufficient? Hell even a semi-retractable arm off the case would do this.

the renders above look like it requires a certain kind of monitor to work correctly, and the weight limits would severely hamper it for anything beyond lightweight ITX builds.

Thanks for the feedback
You could get a similar end-result, yes, but we're looking to do more. My own case is 3x the size of this one, and this one will fit all the components of my own case; size is an issue for me, especially since I use a hot-desk sometimes and space is a premium. This case is a lot more compact and light-weight compared to other cases.

We're aiming for it to work with most, if not all monitors,and the weight limit shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Mussels]

Thanks for the feedback
You could get a similar end-result, yes, but we're looking to do more. My own case is 3x the size of this one, and this one will fit all the components of my own case; size is an issue for me, especially since I use a hot-desk sometimes and space is a premium. This case is a lot more compact and light-weight compared to other cases.

We're aiming for it to work with most, if not all monitors,and the weight limit shouldn't be an issue.

That makes it very similar to what ford was talking about with the thin clients then, especially once power, weight and heat have their say.
Wouldnt it be better to have the case support the weight of the monitor, than the other way around?

your 3x larger case for your personal PC probably has enough weight to support a full on HDTV if the mount was secure enough.

 

[Aquinus]

Hell even a semi-retractable arm off the case would do this.

Center of gravity is important. Too much torque and it will fall on its face.

@MarcellusCrow : Do you have any idea for a target maximum display weight and size you're looking at supporting?

 

[Mussels]

Center of gravity is important. Too much torque and it will fall on its face.

valid point. same applies to mounting a PC on a monitor.

 

[micropage7]

Center of gravity is important. Too much torque and it will fall on its face.

@MarcellusCrow : Do you have any idea for a target maximum display weight and size you're looking at supporting?

yea i think the same too, since you use normal form that has more weight than like NUC, if you want to put it behind the monitor you may consider improving the monitor feet so it would be stable to hold that weight