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Cool looking vintage computer cases

S

Shadow Lord

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So,

These days everyone is all oooohhs and Ahhhhs about the design of apple computers. Personally I don't get it. The Mac pros are kind of cool looking but thats it (for me). So it got me thinking what are the cool vintage systems out there. I know a discussion like this can get WAY too big so I am going to set out a few guidelines to keep things focused:

  1. The computers must have been produced between 1970-2000 (yeah I am fudging the vintage a bit with 2000 but it seems like a good date - most computers where predominantly your generic beige box then so unusual/custom design was rare).
  2. System must have been mass produced WS or server. So no mainframes, no Crays (although bubbles are hella sexy), no one offs, military system, etc.
  3. Gotta have picture posted with computer


To get things started here are a few:

1. Everex STEP MegaCube (you knew he would be on my list)
AllCozy.jpg


2. Compaq Proliant 2500 Server
2501-s.jpg

In fact many of the Proliant Servers were too damn nice looking to be locked away in a server closet never to be seen again.

3. Apple Network Server - The odd AIX beast of apple
ans4he.jpg

4. Apple Quadra 950
s_p_13578_4__78294_zoom.jpg
If you've never seen one it is massive (for an Apple product anyways)

5. NeXT Cube
It was big, it was cubic, and it was black... It was the Borg of computers ;)
96.238_01_d02.jpg

6. Forgot the IBM 5170
This thing has presence!
Inv.Musil.1774.jpg
 
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Commodore CBM-II series (710 pictured)
499pxcbm710ta.jpg


I love it when a manufacturer does a cool, future-ey aesthetic without letting it get in the way of usability. Aside from the problem Commodore always had of not having the arrow keys in an inverted-T shape (it baffles me that it took until 1982 to come up with that and much longer for it to become the standard,) it's a very nice design.
 
Packard Bell Corner Computer
dsc05458.jpg

I love when computer manufacturers stray away from their normal case designs and create a limited line of specially-designed computers.

IBM PS/2 (Server) 95
ps2_95t4_486_1_full.jpeg

It's big, it's heavy, and it's got an interactive front panel display.

I can agree with you on the Compaq ProLiant series of servers. The first one I saw at my school was a proLiant ML330. It ran our local Netware hub. Another one I liked was the ProLiant ML350.
c00487706.jpg
 
@commodorejohn
The 710 definitely yells 1970s futuristic design! Very retro.

@Dos Lives On
That packard bell corner computer is very cool. I had totally forgotten about it. I am surprised the design did not catch on as it screams place me in a corner of the cubicle! I am not sure how I forgot about the PS/2 95 as I have one myself! DOH!

As for Proliant loving:

c00414171.jpg

The 3000 series in tower formation is very nice. I believe the same desing carried over to 5xxx and 6xxx but I am in no way a Proliant expert.
 
@UK:
Was the HP a std. pc? That case looks pretty slim.

@Chuckster
SGI cases were definitely unique. I never had a chance to see one in person but the pictures rocked.
 
It's a tough one. I honestly think almost all the vintage computers looked awesome in their own way. They all had personality and innovative ideas.

I honestly always liked the look of the classic Osborne:
osborne1side.jpg


I'd love to get an Epson Geneva Px-8 some day:
epsongenevarunning.jpg


I sorta think the Commodore Pet 2001 had the classic vintage look:
pet2001front.jpg


On a side note I always found it neat in the early days with manufacturers trying testing new ways and locations for things such as the floppy drive location:
Zenith Z-160 drives on top
zenith_z160-pc.jpg


"Zenith" Z-171 drives on side
zenith_z140pc_1s.jpg


Zenith somethin or other laptop (I thought Tandy also did this) drives pop up
front.jpg
diskopen.jpg
 
lol my post isn't showing up. Too many pictures ..oh I bet it might be held up for moderator review or something.
 
@olePigeon
We specifically excluded Crays and Mainframes in the OP

Compgeke said:
I've been a fan of the BeBox forever but I also like the design of the original Macintosh II.
Click to expand...

Got pictures to post? Then everyone can see the coolness ;). The Mac IIs were nice. I like the Mac IIfx and the Original Mac II personally.
maciifxlg.jpg
 
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Great thread. Agree with the GRiD Compass & Mac II. Some of my favourites...

Memotech MTX512
Memotech-MTX512.jpg

SGI Indy
220px-Silicon_Graphics_Indy.jpg
 
I especially like the HP9000's like

HP_9000-300.jpg


and some of the micro-vax's too.

And PS/2 but that has been posted alread.

I'll go for the Atari TT as the ugliest.
 
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