the other thing I think you’ve got going for you is that in general, computer just… look better. we’re well past the grey box on a bookshelf days.
But at the same time, even handsome computer builds are pretty unique. It would seem like with all the available variations, you are kind of stuck building a deck in relationship to a single machine. Is there any way around this, considering, at least in my experience, I replace my machines far more often then my a desk.
Well, there are ATX standards. I have noticed a fairly recent trend for making computer cases oddly wide as part of the “fish tank” aesthetic. But again, with the exception of an ITX build I did, most of my computers have been ATX mid- or mini-tower size
I had a great home lab bench over 20 years ago - but that’s all it was!
A basic bench for displays and peripherals.
Beneath it was some free standing shelves that had some mini PCs (shuttle mini ATX based, I think).
But it was wires hanging free all up the back. People get all antsy about seeing wires but it’s a workspace, not a display stand. And needs change, so bespoking yourself into a corner is form-over-function (full disclosure: I’m obnoxiously in the “function first and the we’ll consider form, but NOT before” camp). I’ve spent too much of my career suffering in a form-over-function fustercluck that was irrelevant almost as son as it started being used that I’m highly allergic to them, if it’s not already painfully obvious…
the other thing I think you’ve got going for you is that in general, computer just… look better. we’re well past the grey box on a bookshelf days.
But at the same time, even handsome computer builds are pretty unique. It would seem like with all the available variations, you are kind of stuck building a deck in relationship to a single machine. Is there any way around this, considering, at least in my experience, I replace my machines far more often then my a desk.
Well, there are ATX standards. I have noticed a fairly recent trend for making computer cases oddly wide as part of the “fish tank” aesthetic. But again, with the exception of an ITX build I did, most of my computers have been ATX mid- or mini-tower size
I had a great home lab bench over 20 years ago - but that’s all it was!
A basic bench for displays and peripherals.
Beneath it was some free standing shelves that had some mini PCs (shuttle mini ATX based, I think).
But it was wires hanging free all up the back. People get all antsy about seeing wires but it’s a workspace, not a display stand. And needs change, so bespoking yourself into a corner is form-over-function (full disclosure: I’m obnoxiously in the “function first and the we’ll consider form, but NOT before” camp). I’ve spent too much of my career suffering in a form-over-function fustercluck that was irrelevant almost as son as it started being used that I’m highly allergic to them, if it’s not already painfully obvious…