AnCap Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 I am wondering if anyone has tried rack mounting a Mac or PC tower rather than trying to use a laptop. I know Marathon Computer makes rack cases for Macs. It would seem like this might be a better idea than a laptop, and I always thought it would be a cool idea. If my current computer becomes a dedicated recording machine, or if I just get $600 burning a whole in my pocket, I might pick up the case and mount my G4 in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny1982 Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 This is very interesting indeed... I'm searching for the same thing. I want to carry my gig desktop pc in a rack, with the mouse and keyboard connected and all the cables. It saves a lot of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrafon Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 There are people who actually manufacture rack-mounted PCs. Alternatively, you could put one together fairly easily by buying the individual, necessary components. Do a search on "rack mount pc" and you will find tons of stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnCap Posted September 1, 2005 Author Share Posted September 1, 2005 Well, if you already own a computer, these are pretty cool. What I can't understand is why Apple, who now is getting pretty digital audio, hasn't simply made an audio version of their rack mount servers. http://images.apple.com/xserve/images/xs_indextop_20050506.gif http://images.apple.com/xserve/images/xs_indextop_010604_02.gif One would think this could run a few softsynths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 I bought a case quite a few years ago with the intention of installing a motherboard and everything else to make a computer for my daughter's use. I ended up getting by with an old Dell machine that I pumped up with RAM, an 80 gig WD hard drive, new sound card, new video card, new DVD burner, LCD monitor, and wireless 802.11b card. (What was I thinking? I could have bought a NEW PC for the money I sunk into that machine.) But it was fun. And incremental. So I didn't have to fork out the money all at one time. Now I'm looking for an ATX mobo with a Pentium M chip, PCI express, SATA drives, USB2.0, etc. etc. Haven't found a desktop mobo that natively accepts a Pentium M yet. But, truthfully, I haven't looked real hard lately. My daughter had to buy a laptop for college so there went the extra $$$$ for the computer. Plus the old Dell is still in her bedroom not being used. Frankly, I don't know if I'll ever buy another desktop machine. Laptops are so much more versatile and portable. With USB 2.0 my 250 Gig external drive works like a charm. Plus, if you put a computer in a rack, you still have to figure out the logistics of the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Of course, with a rack you can always find somewhere to attach a cupholder. Beer is good. A handy cold beer is even better. But you knew that. "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny1982 Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2382&p=2 This is what you need to put a Pentium M in a socket 478 board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 Thanks Johnny. Yup. I know about the socket adapter. I'm waiting for a desktop mobo that accepts a Pentium-M natively without an adapter. They'll become available sooner or later, I believe. I'm kinda on a kick to save electricity wherever I can. I've replaced most of my lightbulbs with compact flourescent bulbs that don't heat up much and use a lot less wattage. They've finally got the color right so it's the same as an incandescent bulb. They're not cheap, but I'm saving on wattage for light plus I'm saving by not having to use the air conditioner as much. (I hope.) Thanks for the link. Let me know if you see a mobo like the one I described. Tom "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankieP Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 My first PC solely for audio was a 3 unit rackmount custom built by Soundchaser (RIP). The one that i'm using now is also a rackmount built by ADK. Aside from aesthetics, there's really no difference from a standard tower imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloodsample Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 I.T.G.I.T.C. (tom): Um, ya I don't know if this will do the trick, but you can give it a try: http://english.aopen.com.tw/products/mb/i915Ga-HFS.htm It says something about "dothan" but I have no clue what that is, I didn't have time for an in depth research, I'll leave that to you . YouTube: onceuponasynth.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 Thank you, Bloodsample. Ummmm, why do I get an error when I try to get to your website? Take care, Tom "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 I rackmounted two Atari Mega STe computers back in the very early 90's... one was in my gig rack, one was in my studio rack. That was a sweet setup... the only real pain was transporting the monitor. These days you can get rackmount keyboard + flatpanel displays from IBM and other manufacturers that take up 1 or 2 rack spaces in a sliding drawer ( here\'s a 17" 1U unit , only $1800US ). The downside is the depth of the arrangement (the display tilts back on its back when in the closed position, taking up 28" for the unit above), making it much deeper than MI-industry racks, which tend to be 22" or less deep). Cheers, SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix_dup1 Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 Those Apple servers don't fit in a standard rack - they're designed for server racks, and they're far deeper than music rack gear. They are also not designed to be quiet at all (since servers typically live in a server room somewhere). Pretty compelling as a Logic Node, though... Some of the rackmount hardware designed for G5's actually requires the "handles" to be sawed off - so look out. I have seen one that will hold 2 G5's side by side in a standing position, though. It'd be cool if Apple made rackmount G5s, though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 There are plenty of rack mount PC cases but you still have to deal with the keyboard, mouse and monitor. But again, there are rackmount keyboard drawers and ways to mount an LCD. The advantage of a rackmount case over a laptop is power, price and an upgrade path. Robert This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloodsample Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 I.T.G.I.T.C (tom): I have no idea, I get the error now too, maybe their servers are down. Anyways, the company is aopen (aopen.com) so when the site is back up, check out their products->motherboard section. YouTube: onceuponasynth.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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