Peter writes “I bought a Dell monitor since they are so cheap, but personally find it ugly sitting next to my (Apple) G5. Is there any way you could find a hack or other DIY “brushed metal” case replacement for a Dell monitor? I would so love to see this and learn from it.” Any ideas for him? I think a lot of clear acrylic might be a way to go, but then again – I like the look of exposed electronics…
20 thoughts on “Case Mod a Dell monitor?”
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“Any ideas for him?”
Yeah, don’t buy a computer based on visual appearance.
You could find a cheap, maybe even non-working Apple Cinema Display (new or old) on eBay and rip out it’s guts and put in the Dell Guts!! Just a thought.
My guess is that he didn’t buy his computer based soley on visual appearance, but rather its’ usability. That it was beautiful was probably just an added bonus.
As for the monitor, how about decoupage and a nice laquer finish?
Bill at Mnpctech recently did a nice LCD mod here:
http://www.creativemods.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4162
Notice that he used some of his “brushed chrome” vinyl that he sells in his mod supply store here:
http://www.mnpctech.com/BrushedChromeFilm.html
Matches macs very well, and it might be removeable so in case you ever need to return it, you’re okay.
If you’re looking for a cheap mod i would try aluminum tape you can buy at any hardware store. Its for sealing ducts. I would just carefully lay down a layer…and then if you want a brushed look take some sandpaper to it…probably about 300 or so. It may not be a total mod, but you wouldnt have to open the case and you could conceivably get the look.
If you’re looking for a cheap mod i would try aluminum tape you can buy at any hardware store. Its for sealing ducts. I would just carefully lay down a layer…and then if you want a brushed look take some sandpaper to it…probably about 300 or so. It may not be a total mod, but you wouldnt have to open the case and you could conceivably get the look.
A modification which would be incredibly useful for a Dell monitor like the 2405FPW would be the ability to change the inputs via remote control. How hard would it to be to rig an infrared receiver to throw the input button? If you were able to do this, you’d have a fairly nice TV when combined with a Hi-Def cable box (through component inputs) for live TV and a MythTV (through DVI or VGA) for recorded TV.
I currently have a Dell 2005FPW (20in wide) display hooked up to a Mac mini. The price difference between the Dell and the Apple 20in cinema display was astounding (bascially half) and supposedly the internals of both displays are the same.
However, I too think the look of the monitor isn’t quite appealing as the Apple offering. I also have a blue/grey Microsoft bluetooth mouse that doesn’t match the Apple wireless keyboard a bit.
The whole setup is a visual hodge-podge, even though I feel each piece is the best choice for what I needed. I agree with “ivansmearov” – matching is overrated. Having said that – I wonder how difficult it would be to get the black plastic pieces off the housing and hit them some silver spray paint?
I have 4 comments…
1. Colored acylic overlay would be very cool.
2. I just bought my first Make: and love it. Fits my “DIY or DIE” life style
3. I appreciate the link to my site.. Thats how I found the Make: BLOG
4. I’ve contemplated about starting a “Case Mod Blog”.. Seeing Make’s BLOG has inspired me even more.
Thanks,
Bill
http://www.mnpctech.com
On Nov 18 in the Make Blog, there is a how-to on metal leafing. It looks like this could be an option for you.