Any newly built case will cost more than a retro NIB one that is still available.

I would buy them. But for small cases it would have to be 'real' AT, because they can be build smaller than ATX. The small ones in your images don't have room for an ATX board so a replaceable panel won't work.

HanSolo wrote on 2023-09-23, 12:59:

I would buy them. But for small cases it would have to be 'real' AT, because they can be build smaller than ATX. The small ones in your images don't have room for an ATX board so a replaceable panel won't work.

Or... they could be done similar to the transitional era of the AT-ATX cases.
Y'know, the ones where you had the PSU mounted above the CPU.

PcBytes wrote on 2023-09-23, 13:32:

HanSolo wrote on 2023-09-23, 12:59:

I would buy them. But for small cases it would have to be 'real' AT, because they can be build smaller than ATX. The small ones in your images don't have room for an ATX board so a replaceable panel won't work.

Or... they could be done similar to the transitional era of the AT-ATX cases.
Y'know, the ones where you had the PSU mounted above the CPU.

Well, then a similar AT case could be built even smaller 😀

HanSolo wrote on 2023-09-23, 13:36:

PcBytes wrote on 2023-09-23, 13:32:

HanSolo wrote on 2023-09-23, 12:59:

I would buy them. But for small cases it would have to be 'real' AT, because they can be build smaller than ATX. The small ones in your images don't have room for an ATX board so a replaceable panel won't work.

Or... they could be done similar to the transitional era of the AT-ATX cases.
Y'know, the ones where you had the PSU mounted above the CPU.

Well, then a similar AT case could be built even smaller 😀

You must be having baby AT in mind, since AT isn't that small.

HanSolo wrote on 2023-09-23, 12:59:

I would buy them. But for small cases it would have to be 'real' AT, because they can be build smaller than ATX. The small ones in your images don't have room for an ATX board so a replaceable panel won't work.

😳 oh wow! I would never have imagined that!

I mean, yes they are not full-towers, but still mid/mini-towers. Are you sure that ATX mobos won't fit in those?

If you're sure, then I guess I would guess just 5 cm taller might suffice to compensate. They'd still be almost identical to the original retro thing...

aries-mu wrote on 2023-09-23, 12:33:

Forget all the technical impossibilities of pulling out ancient specs and electrical schemes, re-make old production lines based on different processes... a case is basically a box, no need for high tech.

There's a lot of engineering that goes into design of a computer case, coupled with complexity of manufacturing something out of a combination of various metal and plastic components, each of which would likely have to be specifically fabricated for the specific case(s) in question.

Inventory management and shipping also becomes a challenge given the physical size of the cases.

In short, this is more complicated than people realize.

Would you buy those?

It's less a question of whether people would buy them versus how much would they be willing to pay.

There have been a couple examples of retro-modern cases for sale, but they aren't cheap. You can probably expect anywhere from $300 to $500 (USD) for such a case, including shipping.

I can still acquire entire retro systems (case and components) for less than that.

Shponglefan wrote on 2023-09-23, 18:01:

It's less a question of whether people would buy them versus how much would they be willing to pay.

There have been a couple examples of retro-modern cases for sale, but they aren't cheap. You can probably expect anywhere from $300 to $500 (USD) for such a case, including shipping.

I can still acquire entire retro systems (case and components) for less than that.

Well, assume manufacturing wasn't an issue, and it's not our problem, and assume the price would be the same as that of a current modern basic simple case you can buy on Amazon.

Would you buy it?

aries-mu wrote on 2023-09-23, 19:18:

Well, assume manufacturing wasn't an issue, and it's not our problem, and assume the price would be the same as that of a current modern basic simple case you can buy on Amazon.

Would you buy it?

Sure, if we're talking about a complete fantasy scenario where such a case was available, was of decent quality, and was available for a sub-$100 price range.

But that's a fantasy scenario that ignores the realities of manufacturing, logistics, and supply and demand. It's akin to asking me if I'd buy a Ferrari if it was available for the price of a Honda.

I haven't looked at the other thread. Only read half of the op. Things tend to be expensive when they're not mass produced. So no I wouldn't pay anymore them 30 usd or so for a beige case. I miss some of my old cases for sure. I had a mid tower that had NYCE stamped/embossed on the bottom. Big letters.

I like findimg cool older stuff. But trying to relive glory days in perpetuity doesn't make sense. Ican see (somewhat) reproducing Commodore 64s or Amigas.

And it's not like the industrious among us could build our own retro case if necessary (?).

In the early 2010's, Asian companies were offering reproductions of the older desktop case designs from the 80's/90's PC market. I saw a bunch of them on Newegg, way back when. They shifted away from that, when the market went to laptops and gaming PCs, because there was no money in it and retailers were only interested in offering gaming cases to the masses.

Isn’t 3D printing an option?

To me, the most realistic scenario would be to adapt an existing ATX model case to hold an AT board and design 3D-printable front bezels to mimic iconic AT ones in a way that fits on chassis of the ATX case. A bit ot crinkle finish beige paint on the sides and it's done.

And if my opinion means much, some of those cases pictured aren't necessarily all that. Beauty in the eye of the beholder. I found a Cyrix based pc somewhere, on the road probably, and it was plainer then any of the above. Loved that piece of crap. Don't know why exactly. It was free, it worked right up to the point when it stpped. It was tiny and cutesome. Wouldn't mind findimg another 1. I mentioned it was free?

The idea isnt that far off from reality...
https://www.checkmate1500plus.com/

I love the old cases, desktop, middle-tower and tower. I love the MHz display in the front of the case. And YES, I’ll pay for a modern-old case!

DerBaum wrote on 2023-09-23, 22:10:

The idea isnt that far off from reality...
https://www.checkmate1500plus.com/

Yup, it's do-able, but it's expensive. Those cases are over $200 USD before shipping.

igna78 wrote on 2023-09-23, 22:21:

I love the old cases, desktop, middle-tower and tower. I love the MHz display in the front of the case. And YES, I’ll pay for a modern-old case!

Just a question to all .
How are the tower forms called in your country?

I know them as Mini Tower, Midi (or Mid) Tower and Big tower.
Here (in germany) Mini has 2 5 1/4 bays , mid 3 or 4 and big 5+.

For me a PC can and should be as big as possible 😁

I think only the steel used in one of my big tower cases would cost like 300 Euros today 😁

That fourth one is a beauty. Not too large, what's there is chock full of functionality, tasteful color scheme with no unnecessary black bits, my god it even has a watermark. And a proper power switch! I've come to hate the ATX "idiot button" with a passion... Machine's hung again, and you gotta sit there and keep the fucker pressed for what feels like an eternity just to switch it off. If the remake cases were to integrate a bit of circuitry to emulate that even with an ATX PSU then that'd be a massive plus for me.

The other ones, eh, nothing special. Might buy if the price is right. The main thing with newly minted old cases would be less brittle plastic. And no scuff marks - but then again a small amount of battle scars can be attractive too.