help w/ briefcase pc

[adsmith82]

I have always had a very difficult time choosing between a desktop and notebook system. Powerful notebooks are expensive, and obviously desktops are not portable (by default). However, I would like to try and build a case that accommodates a desktop system that resembles a briefcase. I am sure this has been thought of and likely done before. I need your help though.

Probably the biggest issue is making the system as thin as possible. I found an aluminum briefcase that is 22.0" x 16.5" x 4.2" on the outside. My LCD is 17.5" x 13.5" x 3". Only 1.5" of the depth will be inside the case. Perhaps I will have room to install speakers.

One thing that would definitely help in allowing me to build a thin system is pci extension cables. This would allow me to lay the pci cards parallel with the motherboard. I have looked into this before, and such products exist but am not sure if what I found is exactly what I need. I don't have the links right now, but can probably find a few if you would like more information. I'm hoping someone here already has such knowledge.

Another obstacle is making provision to use the LCD in portrait mode. I am not sure if a rotating mount is ideal or just putting a base on the bottom and side so the whole system can be set on its side. If I can use a rotating mount, the speakers can stay stationary (L and R for stereo). The only problem I foresee with this is the monitor extruding too much from the case (depth-wise). It would be nice to rotate the screen and set it back into the case for use. This would call for a larger more square briefcase though, which doesn't appeal to me much. Perhaps for portrait use, the top of the LCD could extend past the top of the case. This would be fine, but I don't see how it could be done.

I have mentioned the speakers a couple times. If someone is really into acoustics and audio electronics, suggestions for design would be nice. I would like to put some form of subwoofer in it. www.partsexpress.com is a good resource for this.

I'm also going to have to think about how to extend the plugs on the motherboard and pci cards to the outside of the case. I could either place the boards so that the plugs are accessible (don't know how I'm going to cut the case for this). Or I could find extension cables for everything and place the plugs wherever I like.

I'm sure there is much more to think about and deal with, but I'll quit here for now and let everyone brainstorm. And by the way, I wouldn't be opposed to modding an actual PC case if I could find one that is the right size for everything. I believe this would make the process much easier.

 

[Mohonri]

First of all, given the dimensions you've listed, you're going to have a heck of a time fitting all you hardware, plus your monitor, plus speakers (plus their amp) into that space. I've seen something similar done several times, but it's always just the computer hardware inside--no peripherals. And it's still quite a squeeze.

Your chances of fitting everything in are going to be best if you build a system based on a motherboard with everything on-board, including video. Since you'll need a uATX motherboard anyway (for space reasons), and since most uATX boards come with onboard sound, that should be fine. If you're bent on taking this to LAN, then you'll need a discrete video card, but that's all you'll be able to fit in. You'll need a PCIe riser so that the video card is parallel to the motherboard, and that means you'll really have to work the ventilation so that the video card doesn't get too hot when it's folded over like that.

Depending on the thickness of the sides of the briefcase, you may or may not be able to fit a normal ATX PSU in there. But there are plenty of uATX and TFX PSUs out there that you can use.