Hmm I was excited until I saw it, but it's not my idea of a retro PC.

strongly influenced by the NEC PC-9800 series

Oh well, better than nothing I suppose!

I wonder if the fake floppy drives can be removed entirely rather than using them as covers over the optical drive?

I wish there was an AT edition...(sigh...)

It's looking okay, but feel like some things are missing - you know, sometimes you just feel something not falling into place.

Plus this desktop design doesn't go well with current flat screen displays. Nobody put them on the CPU casing nowadays. PLus a green and red led lights will suit better. The fake floppy drive covers don't go so well too.

But yeah, better than not having any classic PC design choice. Like 99.9% out there.

I got so disappointed and missed the beige cases in modern times, that I converted a black case to beige.

(Can't believe it's been 12 years since I last did that.)

Malik wrote on 2024-11-19, 02:39:

It's looking okay, but feel like some things are missing - you know, sometimes you just feel something not falling into place.

Plus this desktop design doesn't go well with current flat screen displays. Nobody put them on the CPU casing nowadays. PLus a green and red led lights will suit better. The fake floppy drive covers don't go so well too.

It would go with something like the upcoming Checkmate LCD monitors, or possibly an older beige LCD. LEDs can also be replaced easily enough.

I agree that the fake floppy drive covers look weird. This was apparently a prototype, so hopefully the real thing looks a lot better. Or at least if it could be modded to have real drives in those bays.

Somehow looks like halfway between a Nintendo NES and a PB VX88.

Imagine if beige computers became the new dark mode, the obvious preference for anyone, and was constantly in your face whether you want it or not

Incoming VN-dedicated sleepers

That's mostly identical to their older GD series cases it seems, with one hidden 5.25-inch bay, вut without the features to put it in a rack.

I'd buy a couple. Preferably without the drive covers, and two usable external drive bays. Not sure how thick the metal will be though, or bracing, to handle an actual CRT of 20-21-inches instead of LCD.

I don't think it looks all that bad, I mean, it's going to cost way more than I would ever spend on a "retro" case, but I wouldn't turn one down.

That being said, I have to agree with others in saying I would much prefer a few decent retro inspired tower cases. The desktop form factor just doesn't work well with most setups these days. Sure, you can mod older tower cases to handle more modern hardware in some cases, but having a ready-made case with all the modern amenities inside, while looking retro outside, would probably sell reasonably well.

When I did my DOS6.22 build, I had seriously considered looking for a 90's era tower, but they are hard to find in my area and often in pretty poor condition. So, I went with a thoroughly "modern" Antec VSK4000E-U3. Definitely not retro, but basic enough to look hobbled together like a PC from the late 90's or early 2000's, simple in design like cases of that era, and still provide a nice home for my hardware.

https://theclassicgeek.blogspot.com/2024/02/a … s-3x-retro.html

Here is a better pic of the fake FDD doors

I don't mind them, reminds me of the cases that had a dummy 3.5 FDD blanking plate, and always liked them.
Picture highlights a good point, These days when any optical drive could be called retro, it's even harder to find one in another colour then black, At least this way it hides the colour difference.

It's a shame the USB ports seem to be part of the case and not another drive bay though.

I could see myself taking advantage of the stackable nature of desktop style cases, If i still needed cases.

Well, I'm definitely going to cop one. No idea why it took anyone so long. I'd prefer a tower also... but with that format I guess I'll get some figures and put my DAC on it... Might use this for another power9 build.

Hi, the chassis reminds a bit of my 286 desktop from the 90s.
It wasn't as retro looking, though. Just your typical desktop/disk-less PC chassis.

This chassis here is meant to be a replica of a PC-9801 chassis, of course, so it's more a thing of its own.
The real PC-98 isn't your typical DOS/V computer, after all.

Still, I think the chassis has some potential for housing modern Turbo XTs in mATX or ITX form factor.
Especially if they're built around a V20/V40 processor, like NuXT or homebrew8088 board.
The real PC-9801 series had used a lot of NEC V processors over the years (original PC-9801 had an i8086).

Together with a VGA card and MS-DOS /V 6.20 it makes for a nice computer to play Japanese DOS games on.
There are quite a few VNs ported to English MS-DOS, too. Like those by Jast USA. Or there are Japanese language DOS/V games like Marble Cooking and Rusty. And our MegaTech ports. 😉
Edit: Princess Maker II is also a classic and available as fully localized in several countries (hey, it's made by Gainax!)

Some run on an 286 already, so there's hope if memory requirements aren’t so high (XT has no XMS/Extended Memory).
If they absolutely can't run on an XT, then an ISA backplane+SBC or a slim 386 Baby AT mainboard may fit. These highly integrated 386DX-40 boards were almost like mATX way back in the 90s, I do remember.

Since MS-DOS/V can switch between Japanese and English (by typing JP and US at prompt) on the fly, it might be a cool alternative to those of us who can't afford a real PC-9801 VM, but want something close looking on their desk.

Together with a little CRT monitor or 15" beige Belinea TFT, it makes for a nice piece of decoration for the Manga/Anime fan.
Maybe on a little table in the corner, next to Japanese DVD or books?
That way, the bulkyness of the case isn't so noticeable, either.

Edit: Pics of PC-9801 VM..
https://www.pc-9800.net/db_98/data/pc-9801vm.htm
https://necretro.org/PC-9801_VM

You're supposed to use it for your rtx 4080 when u live in the hood so ur shit dont get took.

Looks like a reasonable option for a retro ATX board, except USB 3 ports.
There's always something which can be put on top of desktop case, e.g. printer or MFP.

I like to have one, i really wish!!!

sadly is too exopensive, crazy price!

There's an update from two days ago.

theelf wrote on 2025-01-18, 09:32:

I like to have one, i really wish!!!

sadly is too exopensive, crazy price!

Cases today are typically expensive, period, for anything with any thickness and quality. I'm still waiting for a reasonable price on a less-flimsy case without a side window, with a usb-c port on the front, and front i/o that is along the front edge so it's all fully accessible under a desk. I'm limited to $200 USD options...