My 4-pound mobile Emu

[Captain Slug]

http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_emu1.jpghttp://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_emu3.jpg
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_emu2.jpg
FINALLY I have my own mobile machine completed at extremely low weight and size while still being able to do anything I want it to. I found the perfect case that has all the right features, It's low-profile, low weight (aluminum), and has effective cooling (for it's size). I've spent quite alot of time tediously planning this case and tucking away any excess cables. It's now primely suited for the tasks I need it for.

+ Graphics (scanning, coloring, displaying)
+ Light non-3D gaming (Multiplayer Console/Arcade Emulation)
+ Multimedia playback/capture (to come soon)
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_emu4.jpghttp://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_emu5.jpg

As you can see this machine was made for easy transporting. The open space in the top-front of the case is the first handle, and the other is in the back under the PSU. Hidden in the recess of the front handle is a 1-watt speaker that's perfect for playing music or game sounds. All interactivity is via a wireless Logitech Cordless Elite Duo and a 15-inch LCD. Thus reducing excess cable clutter.
If that weren't enough, this machine is SO quiet that it's hard to tell that it's even on when I turn it's lights are off and it's not playing any sounds. I can open the front panel of the case in order to turn on/off each light color idependantly.

Things I'd still like to do
+ Repace window with transparency print (easiest way to get an intricate pattern/design)
+ Get a scan convertor for TV playback or gaming
+ Get 2 USB gamepads
+ (If I can afford it) get it anodized. The whole thing or just the side panels

[Fast420A]

Looks good! I vote for better pics! ;)

[Captain Slug]

Originally posted by Fast420A
Looks good! I vote for better pics! ;)
If I had a better camera sure. I'll try to borrow my sisters really nice one.

[Twinkle]

i would have to agree

MORE PIX

[xanderjobizzle]

Nice i like it alot!
Xander

[twest17]

doesnt look like an emu to me :P

[Nick Burns]

That is one SEXY case!

[Diggrr]

So...you gonna share what kind of case that is?

Your KungFoo is powerfull.

[CrashOveride]

Did I miss somthing or did you not say where you put the monitor? (or is it totaly seprate?)

[Captain Slug]

Originally posted by Diggrr
So...you gonna share what kind of case that is?

Your KungFoo is powerfull.
I originally found it at idot.com (http://www.idot.com/TheStore/Desktop/838Spec.asp?Product.id=838&Cate.id=14&Product.status=green)
But newegg now has it in stock (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-192-002)

The stock case comes with 4 BLUE LEDS in the front of the case. I replaced all of those with RED connected to a 5fame pulser circuit.
This is what the case lighting looks like in the dark
4_pulse.avi (http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/4_pulse.avi)

Originally posted by CrashOveride
Did I miss somthing or did you not say where you put the monitor? (or is it totaly seprate?)
I'm sharing the 15-inch LCD with my main machine. I would like to get a small 10.5" screen for this rig, but I'm alittle tight on funds right now.

[BanyanVINES]

Very nifty, dude! Great work!

[TyRex]

Originally posted by Captain Slug

I originally found it at idot.com (http://www.idot.com/TheStore/Desktop/838Spec.asp?Product.id=838&Cate.id=14&Product.status=green)
But newegg now has it in stock (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-192-002)

The stock case comes with 4 BLUE LEDS in the front of the case. I replaced all of those with RED connected to a 5fame pulser circuit.
This is what the case lighting looks like in the dark
4_pulse.avi (http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/4_pulse.avi)


I'm sharing the 15-inch LCD with my main machine. I would like to get a small 10.5" screen for this rig, but I'm alittle tight on funds right now.

Are you looking at the 10.5 lcd for 80 dollars???? This one........ http://www.softwareandstuff.com/h_mon_unisys105lcd.html

I too am interested in this one......If I wasnt so strapped for cash at the moment(college bites), I'd have it right now......

[DaveSauce]

you know, slug, if you keep making smaller computers, you're going to make one so small that it's a black hole....or something like that, lol.

anyway very nice, and I think somebody had you in mind when they designed that case, hehe.

[Captain Slug]

Originally posted by TyRex
Are you looking at the 10.5 lcd for 80 dollars????

That's the one I have in mind and I'll get around to buying it soon. It might even fit inside this case.

[SniperXX]

Looks sweet. Is this the case you were working on awhile back or did you buy it and mod it?

I also vote for more picts.

[Captain Slug]

Originally posted by SniperXX
Looks sweet. Is this the case you were working on awhile back or did you buy it and mod it?

I bought it and modded it. I was originally going to make an nForce2 rig out of it but it's current 200w PSU couldn't supply enough juice, and the board I got was faulty. So now I have one at-home machine, and one on-the-go machine.

IF I want to upgrade this machine I'll need to make some sort of adapter bracket to install the Sparkle 280w 2U PSU I just got.

[Oni]

j00 = Master of Shoehorning++;

Great job! :)

[Wolfe]

Originally posted by Diggrr
Your KungFoo is powerfull.


Its not KungFoo, Its CaseFoo


:) :)

[Captain Slug]

Just upgraded to Pentium III 800, 512mb PC133 SDRAM, laptop DVD-ROM, and integrated speaker (1w to 3w). The speaker is hidden in what I also use as a second handle (the upper 3.5" bay which is lacking a floppy drive).

Here's how it looks with the Laptop DVD-ROM in it's mounting bracket.
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_a.jpg
The window took a bit of ingenuity to add since the case panel has ZERO clearance around it on most the the inside. So I had to mount it to the case itself on a hinge and a tooth. So to access the inside I remove the side panel and hinge thw window out of the way. The window itself has hundreds of tiny pits etched into it which give a prismatic look to the lighting inside the case. The dots gets gradually larger towards the front of the case. How? Why? The acrylic piece used for the window was removed from a Dead LCD I had. It's just one part of 5 that spread the light from a tiny CCFL inside the LCD case to create an even backlight.
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_b.jpg
I wanted to reduce the exterior noise as much as possible, and I had experimented with different configurations previously when I was planning an even smaller case that I decided I didn't have the tools to build. A Delta 50mm fan reduced to 7.5V and set in-line with the fins of this aluminum heatsink. The top is covered so it effectively has become a wind-tunnel. It keeps the Pentium III cooler than my own body temperature while only producing 18dBa
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_c.jpghttp://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_emu5.jpg

Patience is so valuable

[Penguin4x4]

Originally posted by Captain Slug


I bought it and modded it. I was originally going to make an nForce2 rig out of it but it's current 200w PSU couldn't supply enough juice, and the board I got was faulty. So now I have one at-home machine, and one on-the-go machine.

IF I want to upgrade this machine I'll need to make some sort of adapter bracket to install the Sparkle 280w 2U PSU I just got.


You wann know whats funny? Sparkle just released a 270W SFX PSU, :D http://www.sparklepower.com/pdf/FSP270-50SNV.pdf

[Captain Slug]

NEW PICS!!!

I got inspired to do some modding on my B-Day so I reworked the front panel of the case to match all of the peripherals. It dissects into several pieces, one of which I painted charcoal black. I then added a new hard drive activity LED, swapped the power switch, and covered two areas with flat black speaker flet (solid black from any angle without the hassle of paint).
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_c1.jpg
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/5_c2.jpg
Images obviously taken with my sister's Minolta Dimage F100 and not my crappy Kodak DC3200.

[CrashOveride]

Pretty, Pretty Ugl... Pretty!

lmao... hehehe, er..

Ya, looks a lot nicer... if htat is even possible, well of course it is! you did it!

Props to the master Shoehorner (sp? lol)

[Captain Slug]

I'm going to name it Vince. I'll give ya a few guesses as to where that name comes from.

Hint: Somehow related to Wallace and Gromit.

[CrashOveride]

Originally posted by Captain Slug
I'm going to name it Vince. I'll give ya a few guesses as to where that name comes from.

Hint: Somehow related to Wallace and Gromit.

is it a chicken?

[Cuper]

Captain Slug - hey man just wanted to say SWEET case!!!

[Pyros]

Beautiful job. Your work never ceases to amaze and inspire me.

[blackhabit]

red x :(

[Captain Slug]

SWEET!!!!!
I just found a hard-case USB foldable keyboard that will fit into a 3.5" bay once closed. I am so getting one for this machine. It'll be one less thing for me to carry.
http://www.fellowes.com/../../FellowesAssets/Images/Catalog/Resize300/90190.jpg

I could have a backpack carrying my scanner, mouse, and power cords. My monitor in one hand, and my mobile PC/speaker/keyboard in the other.

[Black_Ops]

if your going to get it anodized you might wanna just get it poweder coated insted. for a few reasons:

reason 1: cheaper.
reason 2: makes it a nice transluscent finish and they can do color fading an stuff for little extra.
resson 3: everything ive had powder coated has held up better than the stuff ive had anodized
reason 4: its more eco friendly
reason 5: cheaper :D

just a suggestion. and very buitiful case youve made there

[Blotty]

Nice but the pics could be better.

[Black_Ops]

Originally posted by Captain Slug
SWEET!!!!!
I just found a hard-case USB foldable keyboard that will fit into a 3.5" bay once closed. I am so getting one for this machine. It'll be one less thing for me to carry.
http://www.fellowes.com/../../FellowesAssets/Images/Catalog/Resize300/90190.jpg

I could have a backpack carrying my scanner, mouse, and power cords. My monitor in one hand, and my mobile PC/speaker/keyboard in the other.

would you mind posting a link to where you found that baby at. it would much kick ass to have one to.

[Captain Slug]

Originally posted by Black_Ops
would you mind posting a link to where you found that baby at. it would much kick ass to have one to.
It's manufactured by Fellowes. It was meant for tablet PCs, but works with any computer that has USB.
It looks as though they took their folding palm keyboard and manufacturer a dongle with a keyboard controller in it. Some hackers managed to do the same thing, but only with Linux.

Info here (http://www.fellowes.com/whatsnew.aspx)

[Black_Ops]

ya i knew about the hacked palm ones. i had one on my linux box for a while for the hell of it. i realy liked it. but hell the fellows one looks nice.

[Captain Slug]

Originally posted by Black_Ops
if your going to get it anodized you might wanna just get it poweder coated insted. for a few reasons:

reason 1: cheaper.
reason 2: makes it a nice transluscent finish and they can do color fading an stuff for little extra.
resson 3: everything ive had powder coated has held up better than the stuff ive had anodized
reason 4: its more eco friendly
reason 5: cheaper :D

just a suggestion. and very buitiful case youve made there

Thanks for the tip. I might have the side panels powder coated in December or after my next paycheck. The clear anodizing on this case has scratched off a few places while I was doing tool work.

[Captain Slug]

Well turd. I can't find a good source for the folding keyboard. So I may go with this aluminum covered Gateway model.

http://supcontent.gateway.com/support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/TabletPC/3501440/keyboard.gif
It measures only 8.5 x 11 inches

[penquissciguy]

Originally posted by Captain Slug
Well turd. I can't find a good source for the folding keyboard.

I just ran a search for "usb stowaway keyboard" on http://www.froogle.com and came up with a bunch of sources for the keyboard you were talking about. You might want to check there.

PS - Great case. I'm ordering a similar one (no LEDS) from Directron after seeing how nice yours looks.

Ken

[penquissciguy]

A question on your setup. You say you have a 3 watt speaker hidden in the top bay. Where did you hook this speaker up? I didn't see a wire out to the rear of the case, and I'm very interested in doing the same thing at work to reduce clutter. Thanks.

Kenh

[Captain Slug]

Originally posted by penquissciguy
I just ran a search for "usb stowaway keyboard" on http://www.froogle.com and came up with a bunch of sources for the keyboard you were talking about. You might want to check there.
They're $80 retail and I don't have that much to spare right now so I got the Gateway model. It's ideal considering that IF I decide I don't want to colour at conventions I could use my computer as a digital portfolio. With the touchpad I could setup just the keyboard and monitor.

Originally posted by penquissciguy
A question on your setup. You say you have a 3 watt speaker hidden in the top bay. Where did you hook this speaker up? I didn't see a wire out to the rear of the case, and I'm very interested in doing the same thing at work to reduce clutter. Thanks.
I have a 1-watt and a 3-watt. The 1-watt came with an IBM netvista case and I rewired it with a 3.5mm headphone cord from a broken pair of headphones. The 3-watt speaker came from the left speaker of a spare speaker set. But any speaker from a non-amplified set would work if you can take it apart.
I chose the 1-watt because it produces a cleaner sound. And you'll get a pre-amped sound source if you use a PCI sound card. Your in-case speaker should be as loud as a 5-watt speaker set.

I attached it to the frame around the upper 3.5" bay of the case and replaced that bezel with audio felt. It sounds alot better than I'd expected.

I also saved extra cable clutter by ditching the front USB.

[Blueacid]

The pics don't work :(

(for me at least???)

[Captain Slug]

More pics to come soon as more accessories arrive in the mail. :D

[Captain Slug]

Well, I was briefly tempted to go smaller once I found out that my 200w SHuttle PSU works with that motherboard. But My case needs to be both small, AND eye catching. Unfortunately there's no case smaller than this one and it would take many more months of work to customize a briefcase for these parts.

If I do win that auction for an aluminum Pistol case I'll use it to carry my peripherals.

P.S. If anything finds a nice looking aluminum Flex ATX case that can carry the following (and is smaller than 14 x 14 x 6) let me know.

- Flex ATX motherboard (or ITX with right-angle riser)
- SFX, TFX, or power supply
- Laptop hard drive and Laptop DVD-ROM or minimum of one 5.25" drive

[Captain Slug]

Originally posted by Captain Slug
P.S. If anything finds a nice looking aluminum Flex ATX case that can carry the following (and is smaller than 14 x 14 x 6) let me know.
Ha! I love answering my own questions...
http://www.checkercube.com/store/C137/Images/c137-45d-black-140x100s.jpg
It's only 12.7 x 10 x 2.7 and fits Flex ATX motherboards. External 120w Power brick.

darned pricey at $157 (http://www.checkercube.com/store/C137/c137.html), but it does include a slot for a CF-to-IDE adapter.

[MrSelfDestruct]

Dang it, you're making me want a nice little pc since I carry mine around so much. I really like your original case, it looks good and is pretty fricken small. But good luck with whatever case you decide to use. :)

[Captain Slug]

Tada! It's finally A-1 complete with all the peripherals I need at a convention.
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/6_setup.jpg
The keyboard is a USB model made for use with Gateway Tablet PCs and as an added bonus it has a touchpad. It's only 8.5 x 11 and weighs less than half a pound. It even matches the Viewsonic keyboard I use with my main computer.

The mouse (mice) is an optionally wireless set. You can toggle a switch on the tiny wired mouse/receiver to designate which mouse if being used. This allows me to have one less cord on my art table, but if my batteries run out I won't be screwed.

The flat-panel speakers are made by Sonic Impact (http://www.si-5.com) (model Si-5) and weight only 1 pound (with inverter). I got them primarily for their portability. But an added bonus was the fact that they're powered by only 5V. So I wired my own power cord for them with a USB connector at one end. This allows me to power the speakers with USB or PS/2 if I use and adapter. These speakers also clip together to be even more portable and it helps to protect the sound surface.
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/6_speakers.jpg

Oh, and my scale wasn't calibrated properly when I made the first measurment on my case. I've remeasured it and the total weight is 11 pounds.

[Frost Byte]

I love that keyboard. Where did you get it?

[Captain Slug]

Originally posted by Frost Byte
I love that keyboard. Where did you get it?
eBay surplus auctions. It's manufactured by Micro Innovations exclusively for the Gateway Tablet PCs.
I don't know of any resale outlets that stock it though.