Escape Artists

The Lounge at the End of the Universe => Gallimaufry => Topic started by: Russell Nash on July 11, 2008, 04:36:29 PM

Title: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Russell Nash on July 11, 2008, 04:36:29 PM

I'm finally getting a new laptop.  Problem is that it's only a newer model of my wife's computer. 

How should I customize it, so that they don't ever get mixed up? 

I was already thinking of Shelby stripes.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2659054558_5a88972bf6.jpg)


Edit: Clarified subject

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: wintermute on July 11, 2008, 05:00:32 PM

I would totally go for this (http://www.datamancer.net/steampunklaptop/steampunklaptop.htm), though it might take a weekend or two...

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Russell Nash on July 11, 2008, 05:13:50 PM

I'm not looking to do anything that I couldn't quickly undo.  I may want to sell it sometime in the furture.  I also don't want to diminish any of the functionality or portability.

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: CammoBlammo on July 11, 2008, 10:50:21 PM

Quote from: Russell Nash on July 11, 2008, 05:13:50 PM

I'm not looking to do anything that I couldn't quickly undo.  I may want to sell it sometime in the furture.  I also don't want to diminish any of the functionality or portability.

I suspect you wouldn't have too much trouble selling that steampunk one...

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Russell Nash on July 12, 2008, 06:28:45 AM

Quote from: CammoBlammo on July 11, 2008, 10:50:21 PM

Quote from: Russell Nash on July 11, 2008, 05:13:50 PM

I'm not looking to do anything that I couldn't quickly undo.  I may want to sell it sometime in the furture.  I also don't want to diminish any of the functionality or portability.

I suspect you wouldn't have too much trouble selling that steampunk one...

But it doesn't slide into my backpack.

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Planish on July 12, 2008, 09:06:16 AM

Quote from: Russell Nash on July 11, 2008, 05:13:50 PM

I'm not looking to do anything that I couldn't quickly undo.

What is the original surface? Some kinda' plastic? Polycarbonate? Brushed metal? Painted or anodized metal?

Simplest mods that occur to me at the moment:
- a strip (or strips) of vinyl electrical tape. It comes in many colours. The glue from vinyl tape is easier to remove than duct tape or masking tape.
- a Dymo embossed label with "Russell's Laptop" printed on it.
- a whole bunch of little felt dots, applied in a polka-dot pattern.
- bullet hole decals
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/2501157468_59e6ef433b.jpg)

- get a high-rez scan of a vintage lunchbox ...
(http://themes.common-space.net/images/2008/0421_lunchbox.jpg)
... print it out, spray with a fixative, and use an UHU glue stick to glue it to the case. UHU glue will come off with a damp sponge if you want to change the image. Probably more convincing if it was a really small laptop, like a MacBook Air, or a portable hard drive.

- draw something with an uhu stick, and then apply fake gold leaf (visit a craft supply shop) to the glued areas. (Might not be sufficiently resistant to abrasion)

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Russell Nash on July 12, 2008, 11:40:31 AM

It's a MacBookPro.  It's a brushed metal case.

I was going to use eletrical tape for the Shelby stripes.

What's a Dymo embossed label?

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: stePH on July 12, 2008, 02:33:06 PM

Quote from: Russell Nash on July 12, 2008, 11:40:31 AM

What's a Dymo embossed label?

These:
(http://www.flatearth.co.uk/images/dymo/dymo-instructions-01.gif)

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Planish on July 13, 2008, 02:10:35 AM

MacBook Pro, hmmmm. That would be brushed aluminum, so no fridge magnets would work.

A typical old-school Dymo labeler looked like this...
(http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/hobbyist.web.gif)
...with a tape cartridge in the handle. You just kept dialing the letters on the daisy-wheel, and squeeze to emboss them into the tape. When the text is done, snip it off and peel off the backing. They were used on a zillion things, like tool boxes, shelf labels, lunch boxes, on locker doors, as asset number tags, emergency numbers on telephone sets, you name it. They are extremely durable.

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Russell Nash on July 13, 2008, 10:19:54 AM

That was just one of those things I never knew the proper name of.

(This is my first message on the new machine)

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Planish on July 18, 2008, 03:44:42 AM

Quote from: Russell Nash on July 13, 2008, 10:19:54 AM

(This is my first message on the new machine)

Are you sure about that? (ie. It's not your wife's?)

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Russell Nash on July 18, 2008, 10:59:40 AM

Quote from: Planish on July 18, 2008, 03:44:42 AM

Quote from: Russell Nash on July 13, 2008, 10:19:54 AM

(This is my first message on the new machine)

Are you sure about that? (ie. It's not your wife's?)

Once it's on they're easy to tell apart.  I can't stand the way she has hers set up.

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Thaurismunths on July 19, 2008, 10:49:20 AM

Have you considered spraying it with shellac then painting it with latex?
The shellac will keep the latex from embedding in the brushed metal and let you peel it off later.

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Russell Nash on July 20, 2008, 04:28:46 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.  I ended up going with Shelby stripes.  I'm a sucker for the classics.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2684526132_5b8c0f8569.jpg)

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: CammoBlammo on July 20, 2008, 05:05:27 AM

Quote from: Russell Nash on July 20, 2008, 04:28:46 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.  I ended up going with Shelby stripes.  I'm a sucker for the classics.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2684526132_5b8c0f8569.jpg)

May I suggest you add a big number 53 on there?

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Russell Nash on July 20, 2008, 05:21:38 AM

Quote from: CammoBlammo on July 20, 2008, 05:05:27 AM

Quote from: Russell Nash on July 20, 2008, 04:28:46 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.  I ended up going with Shelby stripes.  I'm a sucker for the classics.

May I suggest you add a big number 53 on there?

Adjust your glasses or start drinking again.  That's two white stripes as on a classic Mustang Shelby GT500.  Not three stripes in red, white, and blue.

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Russell Nash on July 20, 2008, 10:45:19 PM

Pics of a Classic Mustang Cobra.  Unfortunately this is not a GT500, but the stripes are the same.  Someone can correct me, but I think this is a GT350.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2057/2687156578_e94a2fd126.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2686345011_bbe325a0d7.jpg)

The funny thing is that all of these guys restore these wonderful cars and do such great work on them, but not one of them knows how to take a good picture.  These were the best i could find.

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: CammoBlammo on July 21, 2008, 11:46:54 AM

Quote from: Russell Nash on July 20, 2008, 10:45:19 PM

Pics of a Classic Mustang Cobra.  Unfortunately this is not a GT500, but the stripes are the same.  Someone can correct me, but I think this is a GT350.

I'm thinking it would have been better in a light shade of Volkswagen.

Title: Re: Customizing a laptop
Post by: Russell Nash on July 21, 2008, 03:20:22 PM

Quote from: CammoBlammo on July 21, 2008, 11:46:54 AM

Quote from: Russell Nash on July 20, 2008, 10:45:19 PM

Pics of a Classic Mustang Cobra.  Unfortunately this is not a GT500, but the stripes are the same.  Someone can correct me, but I think this is a GT350.

I'm thinking it would have been better in a light shade of Volkswagen.

You really seem to have Beetle on the brain.  If it itches, be careful.  You might scratch right through your skull.