Concealing computer in furniture

[jyl]

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.





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

[dad911]

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=5402&seq=1&format=2

[stomachmonkey]

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.

[jyl]

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.

[MRM]

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.

[WolfeMacleod]

ventilation?

[wdfifteen]

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.

[jyl]

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.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by jyl

(It's in a store. I haven't bought it yet.)

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

[aigel]

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

[Shifter]

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

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by jyl

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

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

[herr_oberst]

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

[flipper35]

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

[Tobra]

Roll top desk

[jyl]

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.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by jyl

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.

[jyl]

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.

[gacook]

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.

[jyl]

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