James bond computer anyone?

[Faustus]

Ok so I MIGHT have a small long term (meaning 6 months or so) project.

The goal is to build a small computer that doesn't draw the eye as a computer at all. I figure I'd have to use microATX to keep the overall size down.

Requirements:
No Optical Drive needed (Things can be installed on the drive at home)

No Floppy drive needed.

Must have a PCMCIA card slot, this can be done via a PCI card and PCMCIA front panel adapter for a normal PC

Must be at least 1ghz and have 512ram.

Here is the kicker, MUST MUST MUST have at least halfway decent video.

Must be small and not look like a PC or a container. It can look like a non computer device if it must, just not something silly that would rise questions.

Does NOT need a built in monitor like a laptop, it will have access to a moinitor wherever it goes.


I wouldn't even consider it, but the other day I saw the PC built into the Windows XP box and was like ok so they can get pretty small. Of course that was a VIA C3 CPU and I want something with a little more juice in the video region then VIA offers.

So far size wise this board seems ok.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-123-216&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

But now I just wonder 2 things.

1. How big will this thing be? Will it be small enough. and...

2. Any suggestions on how to go about making as small an enclosure possibe?



To answer a question you guys may have: Yes its for something shady, but not illegal in anyway.

[Faustus]

It would raise the cost of course... but

http://www.ibase-i.com.tw/mb870.htm

[Jayhawk]

This site might give you some ideas. They sell about every case in the world and they are very reputable.

http://www.directron.com/sff.html

Perhaps a "store-bought" case and then alter it's looks with paint or cover it with leather and stick a handle on it (the briefcase look). If you're very good with tools you could scour Army surplus stores for ammo boxes.

[Faustus]

This site might give you some ideas. They sell about every case in the world and they are very reputable.

http://www.directron.com/sff.html

Perhaps a "store-bought" case and then alter it's looks with paint or cover it with leather and stick a handle on it (the briefcase look). If you're very good with tools you could scour Army surplus stores for ammo boxes.

Cannot look like a briefcase. Gonna have to go custom here, also an army surplus amma box would raise ALOT of questions. The idea is a PC that doesn't.

So far the best Idea anyone has come up with is goto toysrus and find a 3d puzzle box to build the think into. Then reseal the box when I'm done.

[Guest]

Sounds like your planning to do some strollercaming

[housepig]

if you do a search for "case mod", you'll find some good stuff - I've seen a lot of machines put into lunchboxes, tool boxes and briefcases, and if you don't need optical drives, it becomes a seriously low-profile affair..

[Faustus]

if you do a search for "case mod", you'll find some good stuff - I've seen a lot of machines put into lunchboxes, tool boxes and briefcases, and if you don't need optical drives, it becomes a seriously low-profile affair..

Only problem is, all the things listed there are out. But yeah the HSF and PSU will determine the overall thickness.

And WTF is strollercaming? I'm just trying to sneak a comptuer in and out of work.

[The village idiot]

nano-ITX from Via 12cmX12cm when it comes out.

http://www.versalogic.com/Products/DS.asp?PN=cobra

http://www.versalogic.com/Products/DS.asp?ProductID=143

http://www.acrosser.com/products/ar-b1685.htm

http://www.commell.com.tw/Product/SBC/LE-362.HTM

http://www.pc104.com/

Also Via mini-ITX boards, there are a couple with 1Ghz. Many of the above are a little slow for your request, but it will give you an idea of what is out there. Also with a 1Ghz processor, most of these will need a processor fan.

You might find some of the slower units that are as small as a floppy drive. Most of the ones in the speed class you are looking for will be the size of a full size CD-ROM drive. My suggestion is go for the PC104 spec boards, then you can move many of the devices away from the main board with wires, just allows more flexibility in you chassis choices. You should also look for something that can be powered by a single +5 volts or +12 volts, or you will have to buy a +12 volt to normal ATX powersupply for another $70 USD. Check www.idotpc.com for some other ideas and parts. Also check www.mini-itx.com for ideas and vendors.

Chassis ideas: Got an old VCR or DVD player lying around? Remember the Bungholio? Do a search in computers and you'll find it, with a few pictures. For that matter go buy the dirt cheapest DVD player you can find, then rip its guts out! Also might help if you could list some of the things you are allowed to bring into the building. You could build one into a book or box of Kleenex if you needed to, but it sure won't hide from an Xray :P There is some sizeable room in a cheap printer, you might even be able to make it still print. Old table top cassette recorder, this list is almost endless if you are willing to pay for the expensive boards. Nano-ITX should be here soon, that might be just what you are looking for, though going to be around $200 or so when it hits the market.

Now what I didn't say... Size cost money, how small do you want it to be? Some of those 3.5 inch sized boards will sell for $400+ and for only a 386 CPU.

[The village idiot]

I have to also ask, what are you trying to do with this machine? You might be able to get by with a much slower machine than you think.

[indolikaa]

I was just going to mention The Village Idiot put a computer in a VCR once...

[flaninacupboard]

mini-itx.com is a great suggestion. pc in a toaster? done. pc in a manequin? done. pc in a humidor? done. pc in a clock (everyone has a clock in their office......) done. pc in a picture frame? done.

if it's standard mATX then it'll be 24.4 cm x 22.4 cm.

also, you can get P4 boards in mini-itx form factor, and the VIA Nehemiah CPU now comes in 1.2GHZ flavour, on a board with built in power supply and PC card reader. both those products can be seen here:

http://www.ultim8pc.co.uk/index.asp?section=products&idd=3

[The village idiot]

I was just going to mention The Village Idiot put a computer in a VCR once...

It's still there. And still working, although I think I want to upgrade it to something newer, just for the fun of it.

[housepig]

Only problem is, all the things listed there are out.

sorry - was delayed in between opening the thread and replying, so I didn't see your "no briefcases" post..

[nexus123]

There was a mod on tech tv the other day that was in a wooden cigar box. Very tiny had a very expensive german made motherboard. A custom hd tiny tiny, a single stick of 512mb ram and I believe a 2.5 ghz proc. The hd was 40 gigs. Goto techtv.com then I believe screen savers (the name of the show) and do a search for cigar box mod.

[flaninacupboard]

was it anything like this little fellow?

http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/humidorpc/

[nexus123]

Yeah that looks alot like it except that one says it has 256mb of ram and the one I saw on tech tv they said had 526, also I don't believe the one I say had a dvd-rom.... Cool idea though. If I was aiming for small/discreet this is the way I'd go though i believe I would shoot for maybe a pencil box or camera case, perhaps an atache? or even a cereal box or any applicable package. Also he didn't mention where he was going to be using this computer. If he was going to be using or the circumstances in which he would be needing to conceal it. This information would be vital to a brainstoriming session on this.

[adam]

I have to also ask, what are you trying to do with this machine? You might be able to get by with a much slower machine than you think.

My guess is that he just wants to watch movies while he should be working. Maybe they have some nice monitors or a projector there that he wants to tap into.

So far the best idea I've seen is that WindowsXP box. Its the right size that it could be disguised as several things. How about a day planner? I've got a black leather one about that size and with a zipper on the outside of the "case" I think it'd be very inconspicuous.

[flaninacupboard]

couldn't you sneak in a component at a time? easy if you're a lady, handbags(purses) weigh a ton, and there's ALWAYS another pocket in them you can't find.

[nexus123]

couldn't you sneak in a component at a time? easy if you're a lady, handbags(purses) weigh a ton, and there's ALWAYS another pocket in them you can't find

I think he wants it to be portable and inconspicous. Someone might notice the pile of computer slowly growing on his desk.

[SaSi]

There are "embedded PC" solutions available. They are not standard PC motherboards, smaller than that.

I have seen a complete PC solution (celeron 2GHz or so) complete with notebook HD and VGA that has the size of a 5.25 disk (size of a CD-ROM). All ports are in the back.

These come as components to fit in custom solutions. Modding an external 5.25 HD case to fit such a thing would be easy.

There are even better solutions. I have seen sample PCs from EPSON and some not-known names that have the size of a 3.5 inch disk. Less functionality and no expandability (!!) but they do have video. No HD, just a compact flash connector for a silicon disk.

[The village idiot]

Maybe you could sneek one of these in:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=223862

[flaninacupboard]

flaystus, you never did enlighten us with what was going on here. do we get any clues?

[Guest]

why dont u get a tablet pc and hide it in a book?