Thin HTPC case + LCD = Big Powerful "laptop"

[metaverse]

Ok so as you may have seen i'm having major issues with my old workhorse laptop that I was going to attempt at fixing for digital DJ'ing but I started thinking ...

... about how its such a waste of money to get a "store bought" computer when you could build your own. Then I thought "how could I build my own Laptop !!??" I then thought about the OCZ one and then quickly threw that thought out ...

I then started to think about the reason for the laptop being so expensive and its mainly because , well , its a laptop. Its thin and can fold up on your lap. So then I start thinking about what I would need for DJ'ing and I wouldn't NEED something quite as portable as a laptop.

Not If I could find a slim enough HTPC type of case that I could toss in a backpack and plus I could save myself big $$$ with an increase in performance by going this route.

So I started thinking about how you could mount a laptop LCD screen to the HTPC type of small desktop case [or hopefully something a bit smaller] and its definetly do-able but is it cost effective... ?? there's something like this that costs way too much but would work perfectly :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816133026

This is just something that has been bouncing around my head for a while and i'd like to know what folks think about it ... and at the very least stimulate some conversations :grouphug: about CHEAPER solutions to purchasing expensive laptops while still remaining portable (or atleast somewhat portable).

Whacha Think !?

[thebeatworx]

I've thought about this as well... Especially when small form factor desktops came out such as the Shuttle, iMacs, etc... But it's hard to beat the true portablity, power and price of alot of laptops right now alot of them coming standard with 2GB RAM or more, Pentium C2D processors, 15" screens, 120 GB HD's etc for about $600 or less... In fact, I heard a report today that the age of the desktop is dead. I know the economy is tough and back in the day, building your own desktop was the way to go to get the computer with everything you wanted, but you can't really beat the price vs. personal effort ratio in the laptop.

That being said, if you are doing full mobile setups, you could definitely mount a powerful desktop PC in an encased rack setup along with a 19" mixer, a nice power supply and even have the foldaway server keyboard / screen in there too... Depending on what you think is feasible for mobile setups, you may even have room for your amp and rack mounted CD decks... I personally like having my mobile setups in an "all-in-one" package...

...but if you are just cruising to the club... buy a laptop... Desktops + Monitor use up power outlets... and Lord knows that night clubs are not the best spots to find an abundance of power outlets...

[hunger]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Suitcase-Mod/

Think that's what you're looking for

As far as cost goes I don't think its really feasible if you go all new parts, if you go used parts it probably could be done cheaper but then you'd still be pushing near the cost of of a laptop with better specs and less work.

[metaverse]

Hey guys ...

The idea is to have the monitor power through the motherboard so that it uses only one cord.

I was thinking about something along the lines of these but not quite :

http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/i-epia/

and ESPECIALLY THIS ONE ... minus the welding of the aluminum
http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/itx-laptop/

and last but certainly not least combining these types of cases/enclosures with a "hackintosh" setup running Leopard or a faster OS. However i'm still a windows guy and most of my software is as well so im trying to justify and figure out the benefits of the switchover to Apple operating systems for my uses - which would include DJ software of course :

http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...&enterthread=y


Also I FULLY understand the prices are drastically dropping however I still believe this idea is a good one , as has been proven by the links i've posted and hopefully will be proven by my use of one

thanks for the input

[metaverse]

nothing else eh ...

I figured you guys would be all over this

[DvlsAdvct]

well, another idea is if you run everything in the same box just put a power strip in there, and once again, you have one cable, and surge protection at the same time

Also, you can look into rackmounted machines, that way you can just get a little rackmount travel setup (with handle and everything) and set it up however you want, shelves and all.

Not really good on the whole hardware modification stuff, but I'm sure there are things you can do.

[nemo]

Is there a way to make my macintosh NOT sleep when I put down the screen?! That would solve so many of my problems hehe

[hunger]

Meta,

Before I go throwing out outlandish ideas what kind of specs, options and upgradeable parts are you looking at? mobo/ram/cpu/video card(?)/hdd

you could go for a 1u half-depth rack and mount a used laptop screen to it. Depending on screen size and resolution you can ebay a used screen, or look around at local PC shops, sometimes they'll gut broken laptops and keep the usable parts including the monitors. If you snag the model # off the screens you can usually find adapters for the screen to go to USB, or some other port.

[Combo Breaker]

I use a mac-mini myself. It works perfectly fine with Traktor Pro and my audio8 dj.

[djxsquizet]

i been lookin at the mac mini myself or building a lunchbox comp. just have a lcd screen.