Using An Existing Case - An Idea For Portablisers

Fabre · Post by **Fabre** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:29 am

While I do not currently possess the monetary funds to create my own portable, I enjoy checking out what you guys are working on. The only problem that I see is that it seems to be near impossible for people to create a case for their portable that looks professional. No offense, it does take skill to do what you guys do, it's just that the cases seem to be the only thing downside to these portables. Well, I believe I have found a solution (that may have been suggested before): using an external HDD case! It may sound like a strange idea, but check out just one of the many types of external HDD cases I found:

Imagine buttons and a screen on the front of that (and getting rid of that stupid stand thing

). It would be much nicer looking, and better on the hands than the typical rectangular boxes used in portables.

What do you guys think?

Ghost2520 · Post by **Ghost2520** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:20 pm

Thats a pretty cool idea, but that one does seem to be a tad bit small and you most definitely could not have the screen built internally. Heck I dont' really have much to say considering I'm in the middle of building my very first portable right now but I am finding half the fun is designing my own case.. gives me a more accomplishing feeling.

Metroid fan · Post by **Metroid fan** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 3:06 pm

Not to mention paying for them those things are worth something you know...

Post by **CronoTriggerfan** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 4:49 pm

you can also get project boxes down to the exact size of your electronic innards from companies like Pactec, and some look even better than the cases presented.

Klefmung · Post by **Klefmung** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 4:52 pm

One problem.... buying a freakin' hardrive for every portable you make.

Ghost2520 · Post by **Ghost2520** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:00 pm

Klefmung wrote:One problem.... buying a freakin' hardrive for every portable you make.

You don't buy a hard drive, just the enclosure. You can find similar enclosures (w/o harddrives) for like 30 bucks on newegg occasionally.

Post by **Triton** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:23 pm

i prefer frankencasing, you can make amazing things with cases for parts, a little plastic, a little bondo and a lot of patience! my n64P case in progress has parts from MANY different things (n64 controller ports and cart slot flap and greyt thing,psone lcd front peice, storage bin lid plastic, plastic from intec ps2 lcd case, n64 controller case, speaker grille parts from interact psone lcd) the only other ingredients are time patience and lots and lots of bondo and hotglue!

Ghost2520 · Post by **Ghost2520** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 1:25 am

I might try frankencasing for my next build.. it loosk pretty cool but is probably too advanced for my first build.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:08 am

Well, i prefer.........Duct-tape

I have been thinking about a Pac-tec inclosure, but it would take me a lot of time to get the Parts out of my current case and into the new one. But, Pac-tec does have some cases that are really close to mine....only you know, not crappy and covered in duct-tape

Kyosho · Post by **Kyosho** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 2:06 pm

Harshboy wrote:Well, i prefer.........Duct-tape I have been thinking about a Pac-tec inclosure, but it would take me a lot of time to get the Parts out of my current case and into the new one. But, Pac-tec does have some cases that are really close to mine....only you know, not crappy and covered in duct-tape

Hey, mine's crappy and covered with electrical tape now. You should consider switching tape types. Electrical tape is sleek, shiny black and has a nice rubbery feel.

Haha, we're so lame.

Zzebotes13 · Post by **Zzebotes13** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 2:40 pm

for some reason, i love having a case made of cardoard, just no covered in tape

. Hope my portables done soon, few thhings to add