What is your dream computer system?
Posted by Tracy Valentine
I do not want the latest and greatest. No matter how fast it is, the slickest computer will only be BA for about a year until someone makes a cell phone that blows it out of the water. I want something with some lasting value. I want it to do things no other computer can, go places others cannot, and frustrate the elderly with greater efficiency. So, what would make an awesome computer?
Here is my first crack at it. I have always wanted to destroy things by dunking them into a vat of vegetable oil. So why not collect some spare parts, a fish tank, and 10 gallons of Wesson.
The theory behind it is that non-conductive oil dissipates heat (through convection) faster then air. Thus eliminating most of the "hotspots" caused by the CPUs, video cards, and memory. The oil evenly distributes heat through the entire system. Heat is removed from the oil using a radiator just like a refrigerator.
To further improve the design, the oil can be engineered for optimal heat dispersion, which would be a good idea because rancid vegetable oil is not very sexy. Also, without the need for processor and chassis fans, the system would emit a pleasing Star Trak hum.
There is some concern how long certain components can operate in an immersed environment, so don't throw your laptop into the deep fryer just yet. But, if there is potential for immersed computers, I would design an oil orb chassis.
Based off of the micro shrimp aquarium, my computer will be completely cut off from the outside world (besides some sort of power coupling to charge the battery). Bluetooth peripherals, wireless networked drives, and remote monitor would allow me to communicate with the fuzzy liquid world within my orb. It would be incased in a bulletproof transparent ball with all of the internal components shock mounted. I could through it off the roof if I ever had the urge.
Never a worry about ambient temperature, I would take it to the mountains and roll it down a snow-covered hill. I would take it to the beach, splash water in its face, and teach it to surf.
Next BA system idea, self powered computer...
This contribution came to us from Scott L.