Teenage Engineering releases mini-ITX PC case that you can build yourself

[jsilva]

What just happened? Teenage Engineering, a Swedish company known for its wireless audio gear and synthesizers, is now expanding into the PC case market by launching the computer-1, a minimalistic mini-ITX aluminum case shipped as a build-it-yourself kit.

On the outside, the computer-1 can catch anyone's attention with its pure orange RAL 2004 powder-coated finish. The chrome handles allow easy transport from one place to the other with no hassle.

Measuring 170x190x322mm with handles included, the compact computer-1 was designed to occupy a small footprint on top of your desk, freeing up space for other things. Despite its size, you can still house a complete system inside it, but you'll need to consider its limitations. For example, the computer-1 only supports 2-slot GPUs up to 180mm long, 120mm tall CPU coolers, and SFX PSUs.

Besides its aesthetics, another thing that makes the computer-1 case different from others is how it's shipped. It comes as a build-it-yourself flat pack kit mostly made of 1mm aluminum panels that are "flexible enough to bend into shape, and sturdy enough to keep your components secure."

The kit comes with everything needed to build the case, including an illustrated manual showing how to assemble it and where to bend the aluminum panels. Check out the manual if you're interested in how the whole thing goes together.

Teenage Engineering's computer-1 mini-ITX case origins go back to when the company's creation. Back then, employees were trying to find a PC case suiting their needs, to no avail. So, using their own laser cutter, some 6mm high-density boards, and spray paint, they created what would become the initial prototype of the computer-1 chassis.

As their needs evolved, so did the case. The handles used in the initial prototype couldn't carry the case's weight. Moreover, the prototype was assembled using simple wooden plugs to keep it together. None of that was viable, much less for a commercial product, leading them to replace the board panels for aluminum to reduce weight and replace the plugs for a sturdier option.

The computer-1 case retails for €195. However, all units have already sold out. Those interested can leave their email, and Teenage Engineering will send notifications out when they have more in stock.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/91998-teenage-engineering-releases-mini-itx-pc-case-you.html

 

[TheBigT42]

For $225 I can buy a hell of a lot nicer case already put together.

 

[VaRmeNsI]

You can get a ITX case that fits a 3090's for that sort of price.

 

[Wrinkle]

For $225 I can buy a hell of a lot nicer case already put together.

That's completely beside the point. You buy this stuff if you like the design.

Don't know if their Ikea stuff was sold in the US as well but it was relatively pricey as well.

Anyway, the price seems reasonable from a Western European viewpoint given it's Scandinavian design. We're used to their pricing.

 

[merikafyeah]

Oh hey, someone other than me has a 1:1 (square) monitor!

A 1920x1920 screen is just amazing for work. My backup monitor is 1600x1200 and I often wish it was 1600x1600.

 

[SkinjaBread Man]

Oh hey, someone other than me has a 1:1 (square) monitor!

A 1920x1920 screen is just amazing for work. My backup monitor is 1600x1200 and I often wish it was 1600x1600.

out of interest, why the preference for a square monitor? or what type of work benefits from those style monitors?
I have just recently filled in for someone elses role and have been using 3 x 27inch 4k monitors ( I normally work with 2 x 24inch 1080P) its been amazingly handy for some of the work I do.

 

[merikafyeah]

out of interest, why the preference for a square monitor? or what type of work benefits from those style monitors?
I have just recently filled in for someone elses role and have been using 3 x 27inch 4k monitors ( I normally work with 2 x 24inch 1080P) its been amazingly handy for some of the work I do.

Almost everything could benefit from a taller display, but similar to high refresh rate monitors, it's something you have to experience to understand. In my case viewing code and event logs becomes much easier. Some of my colleagues have a second monitor in portrait-mode for this exact purpose. Almost all scrolling happens in the vertical domain, so simply having to scroll less is already a huge plus.

 

[captaincranky]

Anyway, the price seems reasonable from a Western European viewpoint given it's Scandinavian design. We're used to their pricing.

Used to it? Perhaps. Immune to it, certainly not.

out of interest, why the preference for a square monitor? or what type of work benefits from those style monitors?

Well, the square monitors are granted extreme, or so you might think. But their best application is for photography, for a couple of reasons
The fact is, probably 90% of both professional and amateur photographers use equipment in 35 mm format, and the aspect ratio is 3:2, That's greater height to width than either 16:9 or 16:10 delivers.

Most 35 mm format photographers use that aspect ratio as a basis for their compositional style. Thus, the height always suffers badly with the monitor in the landscape orientation with photos taken in "portrait" (vertical) orientation.In fact, you also lose height at 16:9 even in landscape mode, since when viewed full frame, you'll always have black bands on the sides of the photo.

I have to have two monitors set up in landscape mode, and 2 others in portrait mode.

Now, if I had a 27" or 30" monitor that was square, I\d be in "hog heaven", so to speak, since I'd get full frame images, no matter what the camera position the camera was in during image capture.

10:16 almost makes it for portrait mod. However, 2:3 is still closer to 11:16, and there's still cropping to be done Not all photos taken avail themselves of such cropping. (You cut someone's hand or foot, or knee off, and it just doesn't come out as intended.

So, a square monitor is ideal for photo viewing, and doesn't introduce any challenge, unless you try to make desktop wallpaper from those same photos.

That said, you go back a couple of decades and Hasselblad cameras were all the rage for studio work, for those select few who could afford them. The format was 2 1/4" square.

FWIW, you could almost tell which format a photographer was using, by the shape of the finished product. They learned to compose with their primary format.

Even printing papers had a wider format than 35 mm cameras with an 8" x 10" print, having an aspect ratio of 5:4.

So, IMO 16:9 is garbage for photography, and a square monitor would alleviate many of its issues.