Modder lets loose and combines various components in new item

Sep 12, 2011 10:05 GMT  ·  By

Those who are familiar with the Ben Heck show may have become aware of the latest PC that a certain modders' competition ended up creating, completely encased inside one full ATX case.

The Ben Heck Show is a television series that is aired twice a week and is focused exclusively on system and hardware modding.

Many projects were created as part of challenges or random ideas, or not so random ones.

The most recent invention to make the news is a portable LAN computer that somehow got everything a PC needs to fit inside a single full ATX case.

Not only does all the main hardware get fitted inside little space, without overheating issues, but the modder even succeeded in including a 24-inch widescreen liquid crystal display on top of everything else.

For those interested in the details, the panel is a LED-backlit ASUS item and was only possible to implement because Ben Heck made liberal use of careful measurements and piece routing.

"This episode underscores element14's goal to be a resource for like-minded individuals to collaborate and exchange information to inspire new and innovative design ideas," said Kevin Yapp, chief marketing officer, Premier Farnell.

"There is nothing like a little friendly competition between two experienced modders to get those creative juices flowing."

One of the essential conditions of the mod was to ensure that the final product could be made with just $199.

The modder was able to meet the conditions, even throwing in a pull-out keyboard, adjustable monitor and LED-rigged system fans.

"I was both honored and excited when Darren and his crew challenged me to a battle of the mods," said Ben.

"I knew when I chose to accept the project that it was going to be a tough feat, but I am never one to walk away from a challenge, especially one against such worthy opponents as the Hak5 crew."

Unfortunately, there is no way this item will ever show up in stores as a mass-produced machine, but viewers of the show can register and maybe win the portable LAN computer.