Aluminium Case being made!


I hope that the plastic windows don't stand out much visibly.  Sounds like something that could make me feel gross, although I agree with the need for something like this for wifi.  Plastic feels less gross and cheap to me if it's thick, rough surfaced, or has ridges.  I'm so curious how this will look.
 
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4. It is not too heavy.
How heavy could the Pandora's case amount of aluminum be?

I counter your requirement by insisting for my purchase that it be recognizably heavier than the plastic case.
I changed my mind.  Now I want a sterling silver case.
 I guess Im going with the Silver one.
 I am in too, already have a ghz pandora, so i want the case, a silver one
A silver case has never been offered.
Sorry if my joke caused any confusion, or people to want something that they cannot have.  I said what I thought was an obviously unrealistic option that will make a heavy metal case.

It would really help me to see a gray and a black sample case.


a ) Because I don't know which color looks better to me.


b ) I'd like to have several parts in different colors, but at the moment, I'm not sure how it would look like.
I like the mouse grey case because there is less contrast with wear on the coating, and also because I like that color.  If you are going for just one case and I like the way it will look with the opposite colors from what you want maybe we can each buy one and swap parts.

I hope that the plastic windows don't stand out much visibly.  Sounds like something that could make me feel gross, although I agree with the need for something like this for wifi.  Plastic feels less gross and cheap to me if it's thick, rough surfaced, or has ridges.  I'm so curious how this will look.
Ribbed hot pink can be used if a plastic window is needed, so that should settle some of your concerns. :p
 
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Anyone up for tinfoiling their unit to see where openings need to be? (provided the antenna is in the same place)  Maybe the L/R button or battery lid in plastic is enough.

Edit: My bad, i thought this case was for the pyra, but its for the pandora :)
 
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Sadly, I can't afford to get one for my pandora.


But I'm definitely going for one if it's available for the Pyra when it comes out.
 
I wonder if the plastic wifi window could be designed to give it a retro-hardware look... 

- Neelix
Do you have any specific ideas?  This is a cool idea, but everything I initially think of is pretty much the same, wouldn't look good, and doesn't seem to fit the overall look of the Pandora.
 
The Wifi antenna is somewhere in the lid behind one side of the screen, so this is obviously where the "window" has to be. (Unless you re-locate the antenna)
 
I wouldn't let this wifi issue (or not) hinder the progress of this aluminum case.  It would be an easy mod to drill a hole in the back somewhere where all the ports are and relocate the wifi atntenna there afterward.  IDV and ED should go ahead and make the case now...
 
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Im pretty sure the antenna isnt routed into the lid (edit: on the pyra), but is rather etched onto the main PCB. Grinding off the trace and soldering 'yer own could be done. Hoping that is facilitated in the PCB design somewhat to make it easier.

Edit: My bad, i thought this case was for the pyra, but its for the pandora :)
 
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Im pretty sure the antenna isnt routed into the lid, but is rather etched onto the main PCB. Grinding off the trace and soldering 'yer own could be done. Hoping that is facilitated in the PCB design somewhat to make it easier.
Well actually the Antenna is routed into the lid: I have a link to where it's shown in the LCD repair youtube video ED made:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8GfjAsbmK8#t=514
 
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Im pretty sure the antenna isnt routed into the lid, but is rather etched onto the main PCB. Grinding off the trace and soldering 'yer own could be done. Hoping that is facilitated in the PCB design somewhat to make it easier.
Well actually the Antenna is routed into the lid: I have a link to where it's shown in the LCD repair youtube video ED made:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8GfjAsbmK8#t=514
Because of this, I was thinking the inside cover of the lid could perhaps stay black plastic, kind of like on some macbook pros. When the lid is open, the antenna would be completely exposed. When closed you can see that about half the hinge would be exposed for at least a modicum of reception.
 
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Or just add the Pandora logo in plastic like on the Pyra... make it translucent so people can add an LED if they want. :)

That would probably get you good coverage, in one direction through the screen, in the other through the logo.
 
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I'm interested too,

Stil have concerns because of potential wifi trouble, though.

(And because it's a little costly - will be hard to argue when discussing the budget with my wife :unsure: )

Let me sit back a while and see where this is going ;) .
 
I wonder if the plastic wifi window could be designed to give it a retro-hardware look... 
Do you have any specific ideas?  This is a cool idea, but everything I initially think of is pretty much the same, wouldn't look good, and doesn't seem to fit the overall look of the Pandora.
Not specific ideas, no.   I did have a vague idea though that we might be able to draw some inspiration from some of Asmo's designs.   (see: http://boards.openpandora.org/topic/11526-pandora-retro-concept-art/)

Or just add the Pandora logo in plastic like on the Pyra... make it translucent so people can add an LED if they want. :) That would probably get you good coverage, in one direction through the screen, in the other through the logo.
Except that the antenna isn't behind the Pandora logo - it's in the top left hand corner. (when looking at the screen)

- Neelix
 
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I was thinking lines, like the Apple II series (vents), DMG Game Boy, NES, C64,  and probably much more.  I think I might be ok with black plastic even for the grey case, to avoid the cost of producing 2 colors (or to include the retro look we can go for aged beige or grey :p ).  I don't think using that shade of grey on the black case would look good.  Maybe faux wood paneling.

If it was transparent aluminum it would make this all easier, and we could use clear plastic.  You could also make it any color you want.  "Aged beige or grey" is fun to say.

Edit:  The lines hint at retro consoles and computers, and give extra texture like Tenka and others may want.
 
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