Steampunk laptop mod unveiled

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 5th November 2007
Comments (23) Stumble
This new mod from Datamancer has a steampunk shell which hides a HP ZT1000.

This new mod from Datamancer has a steampunk shell which hides a HP ZT1000.

I've always been a big fan of steampunk, mainly because it doesn't feel so blatantly emo as cyberpunk and because it's a big part of the setting in the Thief games. It's no wonder then that this new steampunk laptop mod appeals to me so much.

Created by Datamancer, the mod in question is based around a Hewlett-Packard ZT1000 laptop that dual boots Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux. Extra features include claw feet and leather wrist pads, as well as a customised wireless network card which also functions as a quill holder.

The most impressive features though are the screen and the power switch. The back of the screen is filled cogs which are protected by a glass screen, giving the whole machine an impressive and utterly awe-inspiring look when it's closed. Datamancer himself describes the overall look as being similar to a "Victorian music box". Check out the detail pictures below.

Best of all though is how the machine is turned on - with a rusty old clock winding key. The key then drives a custom made racketing system which was made from pieces of old clocks. The system itself is thankfully quite modern inside though, so there's no need to keep winding it once the machine is booted up.

Violin-style sound holes disguise cloth-covered speaker grilles and access to the original power switches is provided should a hard reboot be needed - those Victorian laptops aren't well known for their reliability after all.

For all of you who are maybe wanting to create something similar, Datamancer has posted a how-to guide for crafting the brass faceplate. It seems like everything else is a trade secret.

If you've got a new mod underway you want to boast about or you just want to show your appreciation for the craftsmanship then you can let us know in the forums.


Click to enlarge
Quote Hiren 5th November 2007, 09:57
Very nice indeed. I like it alot!
Quote UncertainGod 5th November 2007, 10:35
Oh.My.God.
Quote Jamie 5th November 2007, 10:35
Would be even better if this was actually steam powered.
Quote [USRF]Obiwan 5th November 2007, 10:41
Awesome classic mod. Like the cogs with glass, must have taken ages to collect all those gears and putting them into place. You can almost see them running for real


[offtopic]who is the hot chick in your avatar Jamie?[/offtopic]
Quote Jamie 5th November 2007, 10:58
Quote:
Originally Posted by Obiwan
Awesome classic mod. Like the cogs with glass, must have taken ages to collect all those gears and putting them into place. You can almost see them running for real


[offtopic]who is the hot chick in your avatar Jamie?[/offtopic]

Click the avatar link in my sig ;)
Quote widmod 5th November 2007, 11:10
great mod
stuninng details and nice other projects
once featured on bit-tech the nice message "Bandwidth Limit Exceeded" shows up:(
Quote dirtbiker 5th November 2007, 11:29
What an awesome looking machine! One thing though, should "Violin-style sound holds disguise cloth-covered speaker grilles" read as Violin-style sound holes? Good stuff!
Quote stephen2002 5th November 2007, 12:18
Cool mod. It would be even cooler if all of those gears moved while the computer was on :D
Quote DarkReaper 5th November 2007, 12:37
That's simply gorgeous.

The site got bit-teched alas - anybody know of any mirrors?
Quote Glider 5th November 2007, 13:04
Yeah, site seems to be down, with a disturbing message...
Quote:
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later. HTTP/1.1 500 Internal Server Error Date: Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:06:44 GMT Server: Apache/1.3.37 (Unix) PHP/5.1.2 mod_auth_passthrough/1.8 mod_log_bytes/1.2 mod_bwlimited/1.4 PHP/4.4.2 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635.SR1.2 mod_ssl/2.8.28 OpenSSL/0.9.7a mod_mono/1.0.2
I mean, Apache 1.3 COME ON! ;)
Quote Carnival 5th November 2007, 13:25
Wow... I might mod my laptop having seen this. It doesnt work, so its not like I'll care if it goes wrong lol

Awesome, awesome mod.
Quote C-Sniper 5th November 2007, 14:09
I saw this on another forum.... that is an awesome laptop mod. One of the best IMO.
Quote Redbeaver 5th November 2007, 15:16
*jaw drop*

'nuff said.
Quote EmJay 5th November 2007, 17:44
Wow. That is craftsmanship.
Quote pendragon 5th November 2007, 18:10
****ing awesome ;)
Quote zerolock 5th November 2007, 19:07
totally sweet :OOO
Quote DXR_13KE 5th November 2007, 20:36
holly cow!!! that is awesome!!!!!
Quote metarinka 6th November 2007, 06:06
work of art
Quote will. 6th November 2007, 10:47
really cool. There has been a load of stuff that looks like this recently. All awesome.
Quote serial_ 6th November 2007, 16:27
I came.
Quote China-SCF 18th November 2007, 17:48
Great works of art
Quote 8igdave 18th November 2007, 19:50
Looks amazing and all but am i the only one that thinks he should get out more lol?

Also, does it have any vents in it/ Surely when you start using it it just over heats lol.
Quote macroman 19th November 2007, 12:36
Awesome mod

There is something "historical" about it which grabs my imagination.
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