January 11, 201412 yr I have a very special need for a long-term project I will be working on. I have a special data acquisition device that is in a 5.25 bay, and I travel to client sites to do work with it. What I need is a portable with a 5.25 bay I can install it in. I have a quasi portable setup now, but it does not fit in overhead plane storage. What I need is a laptop that has a larger bottom or docking station, with an empty 5.25 bay. I do recall seeing them in the in the past. They looked something like this: Suggestions?
January 11, 201412 yr Suggestions? What interface does the 5.25 piece need? Would a standalone 5.25 case work in conjunction with an interface card in the laptop? Or is all in one the only solution?
January 11, 201412 yr Author Interface is SATA, but a standalone isn't acceptable for several reasons, including security. I need a case that can have tamper-labels applied. So in this case, an all in one is what I need. What I have now works: but something in a smaller format would REALLY be better.
January 11, 201412 yr You almost need something bespoke. Essentially in a ideal world you maybe want some sort of mATX MB + monitor build into a slick pele case. That way you can upgrade components. Or am I way of the mark? p.s. god knows how you get that on a plane its hard enough to get a laptop on sometimes now Edit: This kind of thing but actually fitted in
January 11, 201412 yr If cost is secondary: http://www.chassis-plans.com/rugged-portable-lunchbox-computer/mp1x17a-portable-computer.html
January 11, 201412 yr If cost is secondary: http://www.chassis-plans.com/rugged-portable-lunchbox-computer/mp1x17a-portable-computer.html It looks like that's similar to what he already has, and it's too big for carry on.
January 11, 201412 yr How about this? http://www.theportablepc.com/zeusa1.htm Or this? http://www.theportablepc.com/commanderat2.htm
January 11, 201412 yr Author Thanks for the suggestions. Those are similar to what I have now, and too big. Screen resolution is really irrelevant.... what I do is essentially all Linux console work. 800x600 is fine.
January 11, 201412 yr If cost is secondary: http://www.chassis-plans.com/rugged-portable-lunchbox-computer/mp1x17a-portable-computer.html It looks like that's similar to what he already has, and it's too big for carry on. Yeah, saw that after I posted it. Should be carry-on capable, under 45 linear inches and under 40lbs. Still a big sucker though, but with an internal 5.25 requirement it limits the options unless you go custom.
January 11, 201412 yr Author This one would be good, if it had 1 5.25 instead of 3.5 bays. http://acmeportable.com/products/pac/litepac
January 11, 201412 yr If you're custom fitting, Are the screen and keyboard required to be attached/built-in? I know that's convenient, but I"m wondering if there's a way to build a Mac Mini-like device with a 5.25" drive. add a rollup/rubberized bluetooth keyboard, and all you'd need is a monitor...there should be an app for using an iPad as a telnet terminal! Then you telnet from iPad into the Mac Mini Box? (Is RF also an issue?) Alternatively, can you somehow shrink your special data acquisition device?
January 11, 201412 yr Author I was actually doing something like that, using a small miniITX case with wifi and a tablet using ssh, but I could not troubleshoot and booting problems or make any BIOS changes that way.
January 11, 201412 yr I still say the DIY approach in a Pelican case: http://www.pelican.com/airline_allowance_medium.php
January 12, 201412 yr I was actually doing something like that, using a small miniITX case with wifi and a tablet using ssh, but I could not troubleshoot and booting problems or make any BIOS changes that way. The supermicro server class motherboards usually have a bios redirection to a serial port setting. A small ultrabook with USB to serial and a terminal emulator may help in a pinch. (unless you can find something mitx with IPMI). I know it's not what you want.. food for thought.
January 12, 201412 yr I was actually doing something like that, using a small miniITX case with wifi and a tablet using ssh, but I could not troubleshoot and booting problems or make any BIOS changes that way. I'd think a mini-ITX system with a tablet would work fine as long as you used a motherboard with IPMI ... e.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157466 That would eliminate the problem of gaining BIOS access, etc. Mounted in a thin case (< 4") it would fit in a briefcase with a tablet or even an Ultrabook. This one's 12.9" x 8.7" x 3.8" : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129080 A headless setup like that would also seem to be very advantageous from a security standpoint.
January 12, 201412 yr The OP refers to phsycail security. Is it safe to assume this refers to the physical HDD housing and not all system parts i.e. is a tablet viable since it will be removable by design
January 12, 201412 yr Author Yes, believe me, I have tried many alternatives over many years. I need an all-in-one...it solves ALL the issues. I have an all-in-one now (as set out in the OP) but it is just the physical size that is an issue.
January 14, 201412 yr Plenty of choices if you want a 386. What about an epos? Or maybe a military grade laptop? Sometimes they come in weird form factors.
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