Summer project - Luxury Wooden Macbook Case

[LERsince1991]

I've got a really good concept cooking up
IT'S SO EASY!

As 'Levi' was saying before about how many steps it takes to get what you need add the ready right... I've got one move and your ready for using your tech equipment - Laptop etc... Then you get a picture you want on screen and then it takes one move and everything is at the ready for working and you have a worktop for drawing on. 1 more move to get the paper out, this is whilst maintaining the view of the screen!

Levi thats a total of 1 move for computer work and then 2 moves and your sketching also 2 moves again and your back to the computer

Right I'm going to develop it a bit more but I'm excited

 

[LeviG]

whoop, I've been waiting for another one of your projects to rip into

Make sure you do loads of sketches as they can be used in your portfolio!!!!

 

[LERsince1991]

Haha You'll be able to rip this easily, I haven't developed it much!

There are flaws... I'll let you spot them

The slot at the bottom probably doesn't need to be there so the case can be sleeker, lighter and thinner.
I just stuck a handle anywhere for now, thats not the focus of the concept atm.
I forgot to do a render to show the little 'supports' at the back which come out to hold the lid up.
The small black things on the base are the feet and locks.
The materials could probably be a lot thinner, some sort of brushed/anodized aluminium, finished in white maybe or could be wood or could be something like a magnesium alloy (extremely light) Check out Ross Lovegrove's Magnesium 'go' Chair

Look at Mikael Lugnegard's Drawing equipment case!
http://mikaellugnegard.blogspot.com/2008/12/video-tutorial1.html

Heres a few quick sketches and some quick CAD renders in the next post

 

[LERsince1991]

Few more...

Oh I forgot to mention that the Macbook could have a couple of clips or something on the corners to open the macbook at the same time but this may cause problems closing the lid and would need to be soft so it won't scratch

The dimensions are also out in the CAD renderings, the macbook's lid should be just a bit smaller than the lid etc...

 

[LERsince1991]

Here's a screenshot of Mikael Lugnegard's custom oak case with his custom size sketch pad and pens and pencils

Oh and I've added a pic of a variant I had...

 

[LeviG]

ok where do I start

Slide over metal drawing pad bit - join will cause issues for single sheets of paper, you will get that lovely dark edge (try putting a piece of paper underneath another at an angle and see what happens when you shade over it)

Sliding metal bit - wheres the support going to come from, its only attached at the front (ignoring engineering deficiencies here, as its not actually attached to ANYTHING)

Why the little black tabs - just extend the lid down further and cut into the box a little if need be. Water can possibly get in still.

Paper - how do you get the paper out again, its up against your chest (unless used on paper)

Also I'm going to be honest and say I still can't see a reason fo rthis. If you are drawing from the screen then why do you need a portable workstation as it would be more comfortable working from home. If its intended for outdoor use, where does the 3G dongle go or is the image already on the computer, in which case why not print it out?

If you think about the way the case is likely to be used you could make a design which has 90% of the features you have shown in this in a case thats about 20% (estimate) bigger than a 15" macbook pro. If I get a chance I may do a quick mock up just to show what I mean

 

[semicharmed]

It's... quite large. And made out of decent quality wood, I'd imagine it would be quite heavy. And awkward to carry, especially for someone short.
I'd imagine it would be like carrying around an instrument case (I played trumpet...).
And like Levi said, how/where would it be used? I couldn't imagine using it on my lap/on the train during a commute, because it would take up three seats. And if I just wanted to grab my laptop quickly, I'd need to make sure I have sufficient space to open it.
And if it's designed for use on a table, why not simply use the table? Sure, might mean hunting around in a bag for pencils or paper, but I'd be carrying my bag anyway. Which again bring us to the issue of size — it's large but doesn't have space for any additional materials (book, jacket) that I typically carry with me. So I'd have to carry a bag anyway, at which point, I might as well put my laptop+paper+pens into the bag.
Sure, not as self-contained, but a lot less to carry.
And that's not even addressing the engineering issues.

 

[Sir SpemzR]

also for the ipod holder...maybe make it so the middle is open
so if people are using their speakers they can change the song without removing the ipod from the slot

you took my idea into consideration!
or at least i like to believe that lol

hurry up and make one so i can order it

 

[LERsince1991]

you took my idea into consideration!
or at least i like to believe that lol

hurry up and make one so i can order it

Well I sort of wanted to make the iPod holder match the old mouse holder shape BUT ofc, I listen to people giving feedback
I'll give you the credit for that

P.S. It needs to be ready for when I start uni