gideonmacleish
December 9th, 2006, 11:59 PM
I was reading a discussion about the feelings towards case mods using older computers. Well, for better or for worse, I'm going to make a new computer using the TRS-80 color computer.
While I know some of you may consider it heresy, I believe that by having a new machine with a sleek "retro" look (I still consider the machine to be one of the most stylish of the retro PC's, personally), it will help many of the current crop of computer users to appreciate the past. The TRS-80 is very dear to me, and I want to be as faithful to the original as I can, while still meeting my current computer needs. I want to be very respectful of the venerable machine in all of my modifications.
I've pretty much decided on a liquid cooling system (I intend to hide it, along with my drives, in external 5 1/4" drives to save interior space) and a desktop form factor, which should fit (I'll know more when the PC arrives), but I wanted some input on the rest.
First and foremost, assuming this PC tests out good, I intend to preserve all internal components. I will happily make them available to anyone who could use them on their own computers. They will be saved in anti-static bags as soon as they are pulled.
Second, painting. I am torn over the issue as it is important to remain fairly faithful to the original here, but I would like to "sleek it up" a bit. I'm thinking of a different color of silver, with a slightly more metallic look. I want the differences to be subtle.
Does anyone have experience with this mod? Do you know of any sites with illustrations of other similar mods? I'd like to get some ideas on where to go, and ideally make this machine a fusion of the older style and the newer technology. My rule on this mod is form over function, and I will gladly take a slower machine to preserve as much of the integrity of this magnificent piece as I can.
While I know some of you may consider it heresy, I believe that by having a new machine with a sleek "retro" look (I still consider the machine to be one of the most stylish of the retro PC's, personally), it will help many of the current crop of computer users to appreciate the past. The TRS-80 is very dear to me, and I want to be as faithful to the original as I can, while still meeting my current computer needs. I want to be very respectful of the venerable machine in all of my modifications.
I've pretty much decided on a liquid cooling system (I intend to hide it, along with my drives, in external 5 1/4" drives to save interior space) and a desktop form factor, which should fit (I'll know more when the PC arrives), but I wanted some input on the rest.
First and foremost, assuming this PC tests out good, I intend to preserve all internal components. I will happily make them available to anyone who could use them on their own computers. They will be saved in anti-static bags as soon as they are pulled.
Second, painting. I am torn over the issue as it is important to remain fairly faithful to the original here, but I would like to "sleek it up" a bit. I'm thinking of a different color of silver, with a slightly more metallic look. I want the differences to be subtle.
Does anyone have experience with this mod? Do you know of any sites with illustrations of other similar mods? I'd like to get some ideas on where to go, and ideally make this machine a fusion of the older style and the newer technology. My rule on this mod is form over function, and I will gladly take a slower machine to preserve as much of the integrity of this magnificent piece as I can.