Acrylic Cowboy cases artfully expose your components, are not childproof

Here's the thing about PC cases -- they spend a good bit of time showing off how fantastic the outside of component-filled boxes can look, but generally speaking, the innards are completely overlooked. Digital Cowboy is out to dramatically reverse the trend with its Acrylic Cowboy cases, which -- by and large -- place your hardware on the outside of the case. We can't exactly see a rhyme or reason (outside of the obvious cooling benefits) as to why these were created, but so long as it stays far, far away from sodas, children and family pets, we'd say it's the perfect way to showcase what's really important in your gaming rig.

[Via Engadget Deutschland]

[paul34 @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:47PM]

Wow, you all just totally reminded me of a disturbing but "I can't stop watching this, why not" video I saw a long time ago

READY (NSFW)

Not recommended if you want to sleep tonight.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ffDPTKn7HiY

[Stiv @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:19PM]

Couldn't stop watching. Will be seeing it in my head for a while. I have no one to blame except myself - you warned us.

To the rest of you I say, "Join me. Watch the video. See the dancing man in the mask."

[Mr. Fax Sender @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:45PM]

I lol'd.

I'm gonna sleep better tonight.

[Aguiluz @ Jul 24th 2008 1:00AM]

My face.. Is locked in a contorted smile of discomfort...

[Bobs @ Jul 24th 2008 7:46AM]

Thats more disturbing my avatar, you indeed did warn me, now im gonna see that mask everywhare.

[DefPo3t @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:53PM]

Most computer enthusiast routinely set their computer up outside of a case first to make sure everything works and when overclocking on a mother board where the clear cmos pins are a pain to get to.
While i can see the benefit this case for doing something like stated above, I can not see any logical reason to use this as an everyday case.

[Craig @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:20PM]

Actually, this could be WORSE for cooling than a properly set up enclosure. Appropriate fan sizing and positioning creates positive air _flow_ across important components. This design merely sits in relatively stagnant air, meaning it could result in local temperature spikes well above what a flow-thru chassis would accomplish.

Other than aesthete, and there ain't much of that here, either, I don't see much value in this.

[hamster3000 @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:39PM]

Craig is right, but these would be handy for those who would bench a lot or use liquid nitrogen or dry ice for extreme bench running. The Danger Den Torture Rack is similar to this and handy for the extreme overclocker.

[Mike10010100 @ Jul 24th 2008 1:04AM]

I always thought that building a pc inside of a mini wind tunnel would be a terrific and cheap alternative to liquid cooling.

[JMMGoalster @ Jul 24th 2008 1:42AM]

plus computer cases act as a Faraday cage of sorts and keep any electrical interference created by the computer inside. this might violate some FCC rules...

[miglaugh @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:54PM]

keep a CO2 can handy!!

[zomg0t @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:16PM]

Yeah, the only reason I use a case is to keep dust out of my fans. This seems like a terrible idea for everyday use.

[Stiv @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:55PM]

...and yet it still failed.

[Travis @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:59PM]

that'd be real good if you happen to have kids

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:02PM]

Wrong.

[DefPo3t @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:03PM]

OH Hello Mr puttyca*&$@BBZZZZZZTTTT

Try explaining that one to your wife / live in gf / kids

[scott @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:18PM]

put it in a bubble captain!

[Philip du Fresne @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:28PM]

I don't know about cooling benefits. You get better airflow through an enclosed space. With no case, the fans will only cool whatever they are blowing directly onto.

[Kamokazi @ Jul 24th 2008 12:31AM]

Exactly. A case with a carefully planned out airflow will cool much better than an open case.

[d i s @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:34PM]

may be some led or neon rims would add to sell factor . but does it imply u r a complete horsehead if u look at ur equipment rather than use it ?

[Craig B. @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:45PM]

Alcazar!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUUq0lVylgE

[GatgetMan @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:54PM]

Is that a horse or a jackass? (I'm talking about the picture, not Zed)...

[Jack @ Jul 24th 2008 12:00AM]

I think the main reason I dig this is because it allows for any size graphics card. When I upped to a 4850... I found it was to long for my case and had to buy a new one.

That, and it looks very fancy... impressive to the non-techies. The only thing marring it's geekiness is how out of place the 5.25 drives look next to all that circuitry.

[VooDooRoo @ Jul 24th 2008 12:03AM]

Slow news day?

see it here from 13th july last year....

http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-14359-A+new+Acrylic+Cowboy+for+your+Computer.html

with good pictures of it assembled

Cheers

V D R

[ben @ Jul 24th 2008 12:10AM]

I'd think an acrylic window on the side of the case would be far safer for showing off your components.

[anthonyjlawson @ Jul 24th 2008 12:10AM]

This is stupid. Have fun getting dust and all kinds of shit on your sensitive components.

[Ray-- @ Jul 24th 2008 12:45AM]

cause dust never gets in a normal case....

[jason @ Jul 24th 2008 12:49AM]

not if you submerge it, then make the tank air tight.

[mattclarkie @ Jul 24th 2008 4:44AM]

I opened my computer to install a new cooler 2 days ago, and after over 1 year there was no visible dust on the components apart from the air filter.
A quick clean of the filter and it will be dust free for another year.

[mattclarkie @ Jul 24th 2008 4:47AM]

I opened my computer to install a new cooler 2 days ago, and after over 1 year there was no visible dust on the components apart from the air filter.
A quick clean of the filter and it will be dust free for another year.

[dustandechoes91 @ Jul 24th 2008 12:59AM]

Wow we have people like cyberdruid and companies like danger den making these and making them soo much cooler yet this makes engadget.

[Chris @ Jul 24th 2008 1:42AM]

"Here's the thing about PC cases -- they spend a good bit of time showing off how fantastic the outside of component-filled boxes can look, but generally speaking, the innards are completely overlooked." That's not true at all for me, all you need is a pc case with a clear side and some neon lights. :)

[Dan @ Jul 24th 2008 2:06AM]

Even better idea: make your own. I made a similar concept back in the day out of scrap plywood and plumbing lead tape for the drives. Looks just as good too.

Plus, all you guys talking about air movement and crap: without a case to restrict your space - your "fan" can be as large as the 5 foot tall warehouse fan in your garage. I ended up putting on about 3 extra fans than my case could hold, plus the good ol' oscillating floor fan for good measure.

[Freakin Ijit @ Jul 24th 2008 8:56AM]

Two-drawer metal (or wood if you don't care about EMI) file cabinets work great.

[frankXchange @ Jul 24th 2008 2:20AM]

Ouch.

Besides making me nostalgic for Buck Rogers for a few seconds, I have to wonder what the hell the designers think of Cowboys to name these things after them. Urban Cowboy maybe. Is there a Brokeback line? I think of them more as some twisted Disco Steampunk creation.

[SoloMalee @ Jul 24th 2008 2:42AM]

Gotta love that Chinglish...

"For original user knob being attached barrack case
=====================================
Just a little we would like to assemble at the barrack, however… it spends also the money and the [zu] leprosy… with the cardboard fears…In such a you, it is easy the barrack case!"

Arghhh, you cath Leprosy from theses things too!

[fred @ Jul 24th 2008 2:49AM]

i kind of like that idea of external easy accessibility more than the regular acrylic cases. normally i prefer p182 type cases though, nice a quiet, panels that have a dull thud because they are thick and layered unlike many over priced cases that are mostly for looks.

[Fire Elemental @ Jul 24th 2008 3:28AM]

Someone forgot to tell these guys that cases are needed for electromagnetic shield (and cooling, dust control, safety, noise reduction... )

[Graham @ Jul 24th 2008 3:40AM]

"Obvious cooling benefits"? Airflow through a case over components is *much* better than being in static air outside a case. not to mention the dust and electromagnetic effects suffered without a protective case. This "case" is a pile of crap.

[Wiigee @ Jul 24th 2008 4:12AM]

awesome! air cool FTW!

[Crashmaxx @ Jul 24th 2008 9:13AM]

I just love the pic for this article.

[unicode787plus @ Jul 24th 2008 10:42AM]

Why are they using a donkey? And not an elephant?

[ShadowKain @ Jul 24th 2008 11:44AM]

Not really, see my comment below.

[OneLove @ Jul 24th 2008 1:09PM]

That's a horse, Zed is the jackass. (am a recovering "first" addict)

[u8mysmurf @ Jul 24th 2008 2:16PM]

If you check the TechEBlog Post, the picture shows its front side view. On the top right it shows "Test Bench" imbedded on the Acrylic. Although you can use it to hold your everyday pc, it looks more like a cheap alternative test bench.