DIY / PC experts suggestions required.

[EvilBoris]

Righty, so after having a year of using a laptop instead of a desktop, I'm actually craving something a bit more powerful which rules laptops out unless I want a ?1500 alienware laptop, which is fairly un portable anyway.

What I've been thinking is how I can build a PC straight into my coffee table!

I have this cheapo ikea coffee table at the moment



?5..bargain.



Now what I've been thinking is how could I discreet get a PC and Screen into my living room within the space of that coffee table.

My first thought so far has been to mount a tower under the table like so


But the next problem is what could I do for a screen, I could just plonk one on top, but that might not look that tidy.

I've looked at rackmount LCD screens like this, which I could of also mounted under the table


the problem is that they are typically 4:3, noway near 1080p and super expensive (?600)


Does anybody have an ingenious thoughts as to how I could get a screen to fold/flip up (either pre bought) or using some kind of arm/mount?

alternatively any other clever suggestions as to what I could do.

[Fader209]

The table top itself..is that solid all the way though or hollow?

Crazy idea btw

[NW2013]

Just use a TV as the monitor and hook it up via HDMI? Won't be any good if you want to be on the PC and watch TV at the same time though.

[eastyy]

wracking my brains lol all my ideas have been outlandish....like making a custom case to fit underneath....projectors to either get a picture on a wall or on the ceiling to project a picture on the table

what pc you getting ?

also can you use say a flat screen small hdmi tv mounted using wall brackets to something

[EvilBoris]

I want a PC to play some games and generally play with, I've not decided specs for that yet, i'm mulling whether or not I'll be able to fit it in my living room.

I've been having some more brainstorming and I think I might go with something like this, mounting the PC under the table is going to be pretty undtidy with all the cables and whatnot, so I thought this might look better.

[speedlolita]

Maybe a hole for heat exhaustion eh?

I used to have that monitor. :3

Cool idea, I'd always prefer a desk though.

[Decider-VT]

If that's a Lack table, mounting anything would never be an option- they're hollow and filled with paper.

[EvilBoris]

I desk would be better, but I don't have room for one in my flat, this would be about the right height to use on my laptop.

Yeah would need some vents incase I wanted to fold it all away and leave it downloading or something

[speedlolita]

Nice. I'd recommend Scythe Gentle Typoon or Scythe S-Flex for quiet fans with great bearings.

[EvilBoris]

If that's a Lack table, mounting anything would never be an option- they're hollow and filled with paper.

My new one doesn't need anything from the lack attaching to it, I could possibly even attach the mounting bracked to the PC case, using it as a heavy base.

[smouty]

Can you say what you want the extra power for.

[EvilBoris]

Games mostly, my laptop has an Ati 5470, which works ok, but struggles on some newer ones, so I'd like the option to upgrade up from that

[Fader209]

If that's a Lack table, mounting anything would never be an option- they're hollow and filled with paper.

I was thinking something similar, a lot of cheap stuff does tend to be hollow. If it was a solid piece of wood and it was thick enough you could maybe carve out a slot for a screen and slide it out when needed.
A great idea would be to have the screen embedded in the table top but that would be so awkward for a lot of things, plus I'm not entirely sure these screens like to be stored flat.
It just looks a bit awkward to be honest and think you might be best having the monitor separate and bringing it out when needed - have the cables accessible for easy hook up and have the PC encased in a vented box.

[FelixofMars]

Boris, I think that I am not the first one to think your a bit of a nutter

it's brilliant but also a little bit crazy.

[EvilBoris]

I've given up on this idea, I'll just wait until I move again and I;ll factor a PC desk someone in the house.