Custom Tablet case creation

[stevenrushing]

I have a MSI Wind that I have taken apart to the component level, installed a touchscreen, and installed Mac OSX on, with some customization to make best use of the touchscreen. Everything works, I have tested it all out on the floor of my living room, with everything scattered out. Basically I need a case made to put it all into. Top, Bottom, with ports for usb and sound. I attempted to make it out of aluminum, but tin snips just weren't accurate enough to get the ports right, and I don't have the tools necessary to get it right.

I don't wish to disclose my budget, but I am not coming into this thinking I am going to spend $50 or anything; I understand the workman is worthy of his pay.

Tell me what you want to make the case out of: aluminum? Plexiglass? Plastic? Bondo? Show me that you have the skill to make it look nice (enough), and I will ship you the computer as well as pictures/video of how it all hooks up and such, and some money to get you started on materials. Post pictures/video showing the finished product and I will paypal you the agreed upon sum and you can ship me my baby back.

Requirements:

Custom case with:
1. usb, sound and video ports that line up (well enough) with the motherboard
2. Nice (enough) looking speaker holes
3. good air flow so it doesn't overheat. There is a fan on the board
4. Ability to access the speaker cable port on the motherboard (basically I need a hole underneath, quarter inch by 1.5 inches, preferably with a cover so it isn't always open, but if not, such is life

Screw it, I don't mind disclosing my budget, I don't want to waste your time if I don't have the cash. Also though, be honest guys, if it isn't as much work as I think, or if I am offering too much, please don't rip me off. I have an upper limit of $400 for this task. Really, for that much I could get a used iPad.

Any takers?

[GeckoLink]

Try Vacuum forming its easy and cheap also you can get professional looking results

[stevenrushing]

Funny that doesn't work, what did I do wrong?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5TgotbKQAA

[limpport]

I would love to tackle this project, but I'm already in the middle of a case commission, and would have no available time to work on this. However, I would like to thank you for creating a post that is clear, consise, and mature. We get way too many threads that are like "hay guize, i wanna custom case for my 360, with a screen and automated turrets so peeps dont steal it ill pay u 50 bucks". Thank you for recognizing the effort and work it takes to create these kinds of things. I hope you find somebody with the skills to get this project finished.

Also, to get the Youtube to work, don't put parentheses around the numbers. I understand why there are there in the example, but it throws people off

[stevenrushing]

Thanks for the youtube fix and the kind words limpport. I do commission writing, so I understand the frustration when people offer you $5 to rewrite their resume and then don't remember where they worked last, as if I am supposed to know.

I am copying and pasting this from a conversation with microsoftfan23 who thinks he may be able to do this project for me. I don't want there to be any confusion concerning the keyboard in the video:

The keyboard is not necessary. I just need a slot on the back where I can plug in the keyboard just in case the battery runs out. The way the board bios works, the camera (the port where I get touch screen connectivity) and the wifi are turned off by default. So when the power is plugged out AND the battery runs completely out, I have to plug in the keyboard to turn them back on. This is very very rare, happens maybe once every 4-5 months at most, as I am very careful to never run out the battery. So just a slot in the back where I can plug the keyboard back into the board is all I need. It would be nice if that slot had a cover that could be removed, so it isn't always open...

[meleniumshane90]

Pretty neat little project. Whatever case they make, the screen should go on the back of the motherboard (so the fan can draw air from the rear). A vacuum molded case with some reinforcement brackets would probably be the best bet. You can probably fit additional battery cells in there to balance it out.

You should consider picking up a broken tablet or case on eBay & working off of that. The keyboard might still be compatible with the housing.

If you could get this for $50 shipped & it would fit the components, it might be worth it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gateway-M275-14-Inc ... 20b1d7d79a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or this - its for a 12.1" screen, not sure what screen size you have.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Toshiba-Portege-M40 ... 2308c96cd3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Shane