Concealing computer in furniture
 

I'm thinking of moving the "family computer" from the kitchen to the foyer/entry room, which is sorely under utilized. I would want to conceal the computer in a piece of furniture, for reasons of style/decor.

The computer is a Mac mini with dual monitors.

What do you think about this case?. It is leather on wood, supposedly used to sit on the tail of a model A kind of vintage car. Dimensions 30" wide 18" tall 15" deep (interior). I could mount the keyboard on the front lid, the primary screen and computer inside the case, the second screen on the top lid. The case would sit on a little table or stand.

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...pstpwmggtc.jpg

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...psk744f7ty.jpg

I was also thinking about concealing the computer in a rolltop desk or something like that.

I like the trunk. Mac Mini small, won't it mount to the back of the monitor? Don't you want the monitors side by side?

Mount monitor(s) on these to swing out? http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=109&cp_id=10828&cs_id=1082808&p_id=54 02&seq=1&format=2

I like the build idea.

Just watch that top hinge, make sure it and the wood it's affixed to are robust enough to handle the weight of the monitor when opening and closing.

Maybe add a couple of small gas struts to help it out.

I say go for it.

Yes, much better to have monitors side by side, but the trunk is not wide enough. Only 30" width internal. The two monitors are 35" wide if placed side by side. I suppose I could get smaller monitors. Or one big monitor, to fit inside the case, like a 32".

Probably would add struts to both lids, and reinforce hinges as needed.

The case is, of course, far larger than needed for a Mac mini now, but I'd like it to fit a different computer down the line. The current Mac minis don't impress me.

That vintage leather and wood case is worth far more than your computers. Don't ruin it by using it to hide the computer. Just get a roll top desk and customize it. It will be very classy and usable.

ventilation?

Do you keep that giant can of Columbian in the foyer so your guests can get buzzed as soon as they arrive?
Ventilation and heat dissipation would be my concerns.

The case is only $165. Pretty cheap I think. (It's in a store. I haven't bought it yet.)

Ventilation won't be a problem with the Mac mini. It doesn't get hot. And the case will be open when the computer is being actively used.

Eventually, i might get an older PowerMac. That will be a ventilation issue.

Pffhew. I was preparing the brain on styling compliments to pink astroturf in the living room. ;)

Reading the thread title, I thought you'll build a nifty piece of furniture. The trunk seems neat, but won't it be in an awkwardly high location when closed? I don't see an issue, except for making sure the ergonomics are correct, if you plan on any significant screen time!

G

How about something like an old sewing machine table? Seems like it would be a good start, unless the design of the table doesn't work for you.

Something like this looks like a great starter.

Vintage/ Antique Sewing Machine Table

I was gonna say, dude, your entryway looks like a Cracker Barrel restaurant.

Cable management will be the key to a clean install....

I like the idea. Our computer in the family room is hidden in plain sight. We use a wireless kb and mouse.

http://c1.neweggimages.com/BizIntell...039/800013.jpg

Roll top desk

Roll top would be nice, but I'm not finding a roll top desk that is high enough for monitors. Also a lot of roll tops have very heavy, clunky styling. I'm still looking.

A secretary cabinet is another possibility. The kind that has a china cabinet on top, usually with glass fronted doors, with the writing desk concealed by a fold down leaf. I would replace the glass with mirror, to conceal the monitor(s).

The kitchen computer used to be heavily used. The kids did all their homework and internet stuff there (in full sight of us, that was the idea). But we've outgrown that. Now it is basically just used to play music, store photos, share the connected printers with other computers via wireless, etc. So it no longer needs to take up a bunch of room in the busiest part of the house.

Why not just replace it with a laptop?

Close the laptop and slide it in a drawer. Ditch the external monitors.

I feel like I still want one computer in the house that is always on (for quickly looking something up), always connected to printers (to wirelessly share said printers with the various laptops), and always connected to speakers (to play music). I also need a computer that has a big disk (for the family photo library) and always connected to a couple of external disks (for backups, I use Time Machine plus weekly disk cloning) and to the cable modem (I'm going to start using cloud backup, would rather do that over wire than over wireless).

Maybe this is just me being old fashioned.

There always has to be one dissenting view, right? I don't know your style/decor, but I think that case is ugly as sin.

Shock, gasp, someone fan me! You don't like the thrift shop rummage sale vibe I'm aspiring to?

I have a computer desk in my line. May be more expensive than you want.
It's on my website in the "work" gallery.
I'm in the process of designing a simpler version without the lower drawer section. Instead it'll have a forged metal base. Upper compartment is optional too.

-C
Charles Freeborn | Fine Furniture

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1448410300.jpg



grand parents had something like this in their living room.


i want to find something similar and set up my old laptop and speakers inside.

Stunning work.

I'm going to guess a couple of bucks more than the $165 OP is considering spending on the trunk?

Charles, you are a real craftsman.

Can I ask the rough price?

Well, that one I built for my wife, so I pulled out all the stops. Custom veneered, sawn Maple Burl veneer (by me) & solid Ebony for the trim. Materials alone were about a grand + the better part of 200 hrs to build. To do it again it would be in the high 8's to low 9's. You can do the math and see I'm not getting rich here...
My goal for a more accessible version with the drawer base and cabinet upper with furniture grade veneer panels already laid up will be in the mid- 4's. The version without the lower drawers and the metal stand will be in the high 2's to low 3's.
Thanks for all your kind words. It's been a long and sometimes rewarding journey for me.
-C

PS Did I mention I build guitars too?
:: Freeborn Guitars ::
Boy howdy, there's a real money loser. Like the saying goes - If you want to end up with a million bucks building guitars, start with 2....
-C

That's very nice. I really like the wood choices. I think it passes from craftsmanship into art at your stage of the game, if I may say so.

Beautiful.

What's the Pelican discount look like?

If you ever do an electric it should feature Wolftone pups.

Electrics are definitely in the future. That's actually where I started back in the 8th grade by scrounging necks from the repair department of the music store I worked, at and then I'd make the body. What's a Wolftone Pup? I'm guessing pick up?
Pelican prices are dealer net (less %15) from available stock. I have a couple of demos that I need to do some set up on and then they'll go for even less than that.
-C

Yes pick ups.

WolfeMacleod is a long time regular poster.

He makes his own line of pickups.

Wolfe Lore

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/892050-update-my-machine-modification-coil-winder.html

Not sure why - but I'm unable to access either of the Freeborn web site links posted. Charles - any bandwidth issues on your sites?

Seems okay from here on both sites. I don't think either have flash or popups, so that shouldn't cause hangups. As much a I'd like it to be so, I can't imagine I get enough traffic to cause a bonk either...

-C

Unsure of the depth of your sarcasm here, and I did not mean to offend in my original post. But yeah, I really don't like that case. Some "vintage" stuff is absolutely beyond cool; that one just doesn't do it for me. I guess it's good you're decorating your home, and not mine :DSmileWavy

I like the idea too...

As for me when I ready for a covert computer I'm just replacing my coffee table with a 60" touch screen. ;)

I have this in my living room but no way I will hack it up to install a computer:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1448484489.jpg

It works but is on my (long) list of things to repair/restore.

At $165 have you looked into having someone build you a retro case like that one?

I wouldn't hack up one of those either.

Classic bit of nostalgia.

Best left preserved.

Decided against the trunk case.

Came across this little folding top secretary.

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...pst6sigsxd.jpg

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...psesneudtz.jpg

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...pseqgfhfmd.jpg

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...psp1ugmyqy.jpg

Hmm. I could mount a monitor on the wall above the desk, in an antique frame, have it display a "picture". Like

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...psc30kgwer.jpg


Bolt the Mac mini and external drive to the underside of the desk. Store a wireless keyboard and mouse in the drawer. Run USB charging cables to some of the cubbies. Stash a 357 snubby in the little upper drawer (j/k). Clip my Mossberg pump to the underside of the desk (j/k). Store a pepper spray canister in one of the lidded end cubbies (n/k).

Sounds like a cool plan John. I say go for it! It's only time and money. ;)

Don't forget the C4 in case the perimeter is breached. ala Gene Hackman in the movie Enemy of the State.