Asus Vento TA-F Foldable PC Case is Not like Origami at All
Posted 11/06/08 at 09:05:34 AM by Paul Lilly
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When most computer users think of folding at home, the image that comes to mind is that of folding proteins in hopes of ultimately coming up with a cure for common diseases. But the term is about to become literal with Asus' announcement of its Vento TA-F foldable chassis.
The main benefit of a collapsible chassis lies in its portability. According to Asus, with a fully folded dimension of 434 x 87 x 434 mm, vendors can cut back on transportation costs by upwards of 30 percent. Presumably this would translate into reduced costs for the end users who often find themselves paying anywhere from $15 to $25 or more to have a case shipped. But are there any other benefits?
"This [space saving design] also allows DIY enthusiasts to carry the chassis back home or to the office without having to contend with the conventional bulk of a normal chassis," Asus explains in its press release. "Once the user arrives back home or at the office, the TA-F Series can be expanded quickly to use and also be kept away by simply folding it flat."
To do so would require removing installed components and then reinstalling, rinse and repeat. To its credit, the TA-F boasts a tools-free setup to help streamline the process, but we can't imagine system builders opting to tear down their system in order to save some cargo space.
What are your thoughts on a foldable chassis? Hit the jump and let us know.
Image Credit: Asus
Hmmmmm
Submitted by nsk chaos on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 2:46pm
Hmmmmmmm......I like the idea...saves space (and a lot of it too) could be time consuming and dents could prevent the case from folding well
aernt we forgetting somthing?
Submitted by dstevens on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 11:32am
last time i checked.....
it didnt matter how big of a package you were sending in the mail when it comes to shipping costs.
COST IS EVERY SINGLE TIME BY EVERY MEANS OF SHIPPING BASED ON WEIGHT OF THE SHIPMENT!!
this is why a case is the most expensive part of a computer to ship.
i cannot believe not a single time up till now not a single person
(even you guys at max pc who i hold in such high reguard)
has mentioned this little tidbit of somwhat important information
its a marketing gimick on thier behalf... shadows and smoke....
this will make it cheaper...
yeah and sham wow picks up that pepsi spill on tv too right?
Alright this just plain
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 1:19am
Alright this just plain pisses me off. What kind of dumb motherfucker came up with this? You can take it to the office and home and use it. You have to have the components at the office and the home. This is retarded. I would recommend a laptop over this stupid dumbass idea. This just pisses me off on how stupid shit makes it to this website. And somebody actually spent money to build a prototype. My god what retardation. What the hell were these aholes smoking? This is like that dumbass side gesture small hand held device.
Submitted by HitmanHybrid on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 12:52pm
This is nothing more than a gimmick. I see no use for it other than to save shipping costs. I doubt that anyone would be willing to remove all their components just so they could fold this case. Asus, is trying too hard.
______________________________________________
The gaming god, the pwner, the n0obkill3r, the Hitman.
Submitted by AttilaTheHunk on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 9:10am
This is as innovative as Antec Skeleton >.>
Submitted by r3dd4wg on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 8:54am
Is this a joke? Think of the possibilities if this was actually practical, though. With this technology, I could put 10 foldable Dodge Vipers in my 2 car garage. Of course, 10 engines and 40 wheels will have to litter my backyard but that's OK. And I've got all the time in the world to re-assemble my cars as needed.
Reality? Once I build a PC, it stays built.
Submitted by Shalbatana on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 8:40am
I don't think anyone's looking deep enough. Not even Asus.
Point 1:
One big issue with shipping cases has always been dents and scratches. Know anyone at UPS, FedEx, etc? They'll be the first to tell you that bigger packages take more hits.
Collapsing the case will allow extra padding in a smaller package, thus reducing dents, and the flat packaging will decrease scratches (like buying IKEA furniture).
Of course one would have to be a little more careful when assembling not to cause their own dents or scratches.
Point 2:
One could take a case panel and mod it, cut it, sand it, paint it, all without ever having to risk or even deal with other sides of the case. Modding will be easier. Plus if you mess up royally, well just buy a new panel.
Point 3:
Buy this case from Asus. Then say you install your mobo, but would like a cable duct on the bottom of the back panel, you simply buy a panel from ASUS with that channel, and swap out the one you have. Got a new mobo and it doesn't work anymore? Buy a new panel with a channel that goes along the top. Or buy a panel with a window. or one with an air duct 1" to the left. Need a place to place two more HD's? buy a top panel that raises the height of the case another 4"!!!!!! Did you get a scratch or dent you can't fix? replace that panel without replacing the whole case!
point 4:
Agreed the portability angle is kind of lame, I can only see it working for a very select group. I for example, could use it this way, but strangely enough, not as a computer case... more like a portable rack system for electronics I have to carry around and set up sometimes).
Point 5: The storage issue on the other hand is a nice take. You could have a case ready to go at any time for that backup computer you're going to build, etc. Yet store it in 1/50th the space of a regular case in your closet.
Of course much of my argument depends on whether or not ASUS will all the sale of individual case sides and/or provide upgraded parts. But I think they'd be smart enough for that.
So at first glance you may think it's lame. Me personally? If the price is right and there's no less structural stability... I'll buy it tomorrow.
_______________________________
"There's no time like the future."
Man, with an idea as stupid
Submitted by pcwizmtl on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 8:12am
Man, with an idea as stupid as this, someone needs to get fired.
so useless
Submitted by DePat on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 8:06am
They better stick to "it will lower shipping costs" line and not the "user can fold it for transport" one. I do not know what they have been drinking, but did they realized that in order to fold it for transportation your have to remove all the compents?
Either they have been drinking something "exotic" or they take us for fools. The first one is a better thought.
DePat
I'll have what they're drinking
Submitted by Talcum X on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 10:28am
O_o
***********
Every morning is the dawn of a new error.
"In Ireland, there are more drunks per capita than people." - Peter Griffin
Wow.
Submitted by Cache on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 7:59am
This is the answer to a question nobody ever thought was worth asking. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Submitted by Cache on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 7:59am
This is the answer to a question nobody ever thought was worth asking. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Submitted by Windbreaker on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 7:21am
That should mean a smaller shipping box...but where are the other three sides?
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