Mac Tower user

[RV_]

To answer your original question, yes you can build a custom case and some are really stunning:

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=art+deco+computer+custom+cases&qpvt=art+deco+computer+custom+cases&form=IGRE&first=1&scenario=ImageBasicHover

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=fantastic+wood+and+steel+computer+cases&qpvt=fabtastic+wood+and+steel+computer+cases&form=IGRE&first=1&scenario=ImageHoverTitle

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=Vd86y8Ax&id=64575AE906203E3F0D3CD60FAF47D044776E4099&thid=OIP.Vd86y8AxLgzDgw2WLRK9dgHaFj&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.hothardware.com%2Fcontentimages%2Fnewsitem%2F50491%2Fcontent%2Fbarrell-pc-angle.jpg&exph=531&expw=708&q=fantastic+wood+and+steel+computer+cases&simid=608045855894276157&ck=BD6703EC195680701BC4C3224D73E995&selectedindex=51&qpvt=fantastic+wood+and+steel+computer+cases&form=IRPRST&ajaxhist=0&vt=2&sim=1

My wife is a master interior trim carpenter and we have all the tools so I might just make one of the art deco ones with a tablet or the tower system and liquid cool it. THe movers put a dent in it when we moved last year.

Pretty neat huh?

[RV_]

Here's just a few Dell XPS audio issues with the jacks: https://www.bing.com/search?q=del%3bl+xps+audio+problems+with+hdmi+in+jacks+and+headphone+jacks&FORM=AWRE

 

 

Edited August 1, 2020 by RV_

[Sculptor]

6 hours ago, RV_ said:

To answer your original question, yes you can build a custom case and some are really stunning:

My wife is a master interior trim carpenter and we have all the tools so I might just make one of the art deco ones with a tablet or the tower system and liquid cool it. THe movers put a dent in it when we moved last year.

Pretty neat huh?

The Art Deco cases ARE very cool.  I guess you would need liquid cooling to compensate for the solid wood case.

I was a wood model maker for 15 years so I can relate to the skills it would take to create a “statement” like you propose.  🙂  I couldn’t fit my band saw or my Kennedy rolling tool box Into the full time style so I had to sell them.

[RV_]

Here's some more: Many can be ordered. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/393713192403093147/

It seems you want power and a reduction in size. These NUCs are amazing today.

For custom case builds I would get a NUC (Next Unit of Computing) Here is a 10 Gen Intel i7 since you already have a monitor: https://www.gearbest.com/tv-box/pp_3009353822369349.html?wid=2000001#goodsDetail

These can be ordered  from US sources for a bit more and taxes added. They also are very economical with Xeon or Intel 10th gen i7 chipsets, or if you don't need the power i3 or i5 newer processors. I would not buy a power machine with no cooling fan as some NUCs are. It also holds both types of PCI-e SSDs, and also can hold a regular 2.5" SSD.

I am giving an example only. This example uses a silent fan for cooling. I would NOT buy a NUC with an i7 or Xeon chipset with out a cooling fan.

Gearbest is direct from China so takes 20-45 days to arrive. I have never had a problem with computer or tablet buys from them but they are not good for RVrs who travel, as opposed to snowbirds.

I have had two mini PCs which are different than NUCs. No fans on the old one that died after 5 years, and my new one . My first actually was  a Windows 8 that upgraded free to Windows 10. However it was 32 bit for which Microsoft is now dropping support. It had 4GB RAM 64 GB eMMC for 99 bucks and lasted 5 years and was fast enough for fun stuff.

My current mini PC is this one: https://www.gearbest.com/mini-pc/pp_009643703831.html?wid=1433363

Its processor is this: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/95596/intel-celeron-processor-n3450-2m-cache-up-to-2-2-ghz.html

not super fast or too slow but good for the living room TV with a Logitech K400 keyboard with built in touch-pad. It does get very warm and the bottom has to be clear for it to stay cool enough to run all day. But I knew it would never be for anything but watching online videos not covered by my Fire TV 4k stick on the back of both TVs.

After the pandemic is done and I can sell all my old systems I'll get one of the i7 systems like above, a NUC with a silent cooling fan and room for both the NVME drives and a regular 2.5" slot for a 1 TB SSD later or ordered installed. All of them can be installed on the VESA wall mounts on the back of TVs and monitors. I have a quad HD glare free Acer 27" monitor https://www.amazon.com/Acer-K272HUL-Widescreen-Backlight-Refurbished/dp/B01N0LBFJ7/ref=pd_lpo_147_t_1/136-0309222-2430645?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01N0LBFJ7&pd_rd_r=1d948902-8e4c-4355-9afd-d433ee826f1e&pd_rd_w=eHf6t&pd_rd_wg=S7NB2&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=8NEHZ6PNYHY26WP25N6D&psc=1&refRID=8NEHZ6PNYHY26WP25N6D

that is not being used, but I like as much as my main quad HD XPS 2720 touch screen.

Or use the 4k TV in your rig.

Just showing small new mini NUCs and case options for your old Apple.

There are many more options than some folks may be aware of today.

[Sculptor]

Hello to the posters who commented on my original message.  Your advice was much appreciated and on my part somewhat heeded.  🙂 

Here is what I ended up with.  HP Laptop

In 2020 I had not known Apple was going for their usual obsolescence scheme by moving away from Intel chips.  That and all other comments related to obsolete hardware, software, graphics, etc were spot on. 
My situation turned out to be that of diminishing returns.  The Mac usefulness went down the “chart” and the appeal of starting over with a new system went up the chart.

Budget priorities eventually came around as I predicted.  When my wife said “go buy one because I’m tired of your complaining” I resumed shopping.  I haven’t put it to a real test of graphics speed yet, but I can tell there is a big improvement already.  
Now I have some tower hardware that’s taking up space.  If anyone wants it contact me via PM.  I won’t ship it.   We are near the Grand Canyon for another couple of days.

[RV_]

Wow! Great build! I went to the specs for the

Intel® Core™ i7-12700H Processor

24M Cache, up to 4.70 GHz

 

CPU Specifications

• Total Cores 14
• # of Performance-cores 6
• # of Efficient-cores 8
• Total Threads 20
• Max Turbo Frequency 4.70 GHz
• Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 Frequency ^‡ 4.70 GHz
• Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency 4.70 GHz
• Efficient-core Max Turbo Frequency 3.50 GHz
• Cache 24 MB Intel® Smart Cache
• Processor Base Power 45 W
• Maximum Turbo Power 115 W
• Minimum Assured Power 35 W

Holy moly. Nice package and inexpensive for the specs.

My opinions for everything has changed since this thread a little over two years ago.

Dell came out under warranty in home service and replaced the Motherboard in Lynn's Inspiron system and all is well now, that machine screams and all issues were resolved.

I'd like to hear your impressions of using that system.

 

Edited September 28, 2022 by RV_