BMW DesignWorksUSA designs ultimate gaming rig
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About a decade ago, pretty much every computer in the world was housed in a boring beige box, and the biggest design question was whether that container would sit vertically or horizontally. That's all changed now, partly due to the influence of Apple and custom PC manufacturers like Thermaltake, a Taiwanese company that specializes in PC cases and cooling devices.
Recently, Thermaltake contracted BMW DesignWorksUSA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German automaker, to help create a new concept in high-end computing, and the result is wholly different from what's common to the market today. Instead of centering around one large box that all the computer components would sit inside, BMW's Level 10 concept uses a set of smaller containers that would house each individual piece.
The requisite
[Source: BMW]
PRESS RELEASE:
VIRTUAL REALITY: COMPUTER WORLDS INSPIRE DESIGN CONCEPT CREATED BY BMW GROUP DESIGNWORKSUSA FOR THE LATEST HIGH-END THERMALTAKE GAMING TOWER SHOW PIECE
The gaming industry - a sector that can deservedly adorn itself with attributes such as visionary creativity, innovation and progressiveness. However, who inspires the gaming industry and how does one set trends in a sector that is in itself the embodiment of progressive thinking and imaginativeness? One answer to that question is currently being given by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, with the presentation of a design concept for a high-end gaming tower prototype that was inspired by the gaming world itself.
BMW Group DesignworksUSA, a 100% subsidiary of the BMW Group, has for many years shaped the global design landscape working for a multitude of industries. In addition to creating yachts, trains, aircraft, lifestyle and IT products, the three studios in Munich, California and Singapore are also engaged with design concepts aimed at transforming visions into reality. One of these concepts is named "Level 10" for Thermaltake, a manufacturer of computer housings and components for individually configurable high-end computers.
Design concept from another world.
The "Level 10" concept allows gamers to experience the power of their high-end computers through the design itself. In order to achieve this, iconic design is combined with optimum functionality and innovative details. By rendering the inside components visible, the design concept focuses on the architectural aesthetics which are inherent in the computers and result from each individually configurable component. The inspiration for this approach the design team took right from the computer worlds themselves – expressiveness, virtual townscapes and futuristic game components served as orientation for the arrangement and the look of individual components. These appear within the overall design in the form of an open modular structure that visually appeals to users, offering them additional functional benefits. Each high-quality component featured by the "Level 10" concept is enclosed within its own protective case, rendering it not only an integral part of the design but also guaranteeing interchangeability and transportability. Thus the design concept makes considerable allowances for the behaviour of users who wish to use their equipment in many different places and are eager to get it there safely. The concept also has an aesthetical answer to the physical necessity for best possible cooling, this also being associated with the virtual world of the gamer. The asymmetric arrangement of the robust vertical heatsink and the horizontally located individual components creates a strong architectural statement, clearly revealing the powerful cooling characteristics of the Thermaltake Gaming Tower.
Decisive game factor: Cleverly designed details.
Whilst the design concept initially appeals visually to gamers, clever detail solutions do justice to their high demands on the applications. A smart lock system facilitates the blocking of access in order to protect the valuable modules. A USB memory key was designed as an extractable "power button" that not only activates the system, but also secures personal system data, rendering it suitable for flexible use. Two ergonomically well-positioned, integrated handles allow safe and convenient transportation of the tower, a highly relevant feature in the high-end gaming tower sector. The design is rounded off by a cleverly devised cable conduit system and light features which communicate a multitude of tower functions such as temperature and memory volumes. Since the computer worlds themselves supply the context for the conceptual idea, an authentic design has been created that significantly emphasises the functionality of the Thermaltake housing and no longer needs to be concealed inside the chassis. The prototype of the "Level 10" tower can be seen from the 3rd to 8th of March at the CEBIT in Hannover. (Thermaltake stand hall 24 / C02).
BMW Group DesignworksUSA- Perfect design beyond the spotlights.
BMW Group DesignworksUSA is a global design consultancy and subsidiary of the BMW Group. The company, which was acquired by the BMW Group in 1995, now operates globally from its locations in Europe, America and Asia. Clients turn to DesignworksUSA for brand communications, strategy, research, design development, engineering, modeling, and color, materials, and finish. Unique to DesignworksUSA, they have both an automotive and industrial design studio, enabling the transfer of collective knowledge and inspiration from automotive design to product design and vice versa. The studio represents a guiding force for the BMW Group brand design studios (BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars) and simultaneously operates as an innovation driver for the most diverse industries from IT to medical, lifestyle or aviation. Since 2004, Verena C. Kloos has overseen the strategy and operations for the Munich, Los Angeles and Singapore design studios. The designs consistently express the individual identity of a brand, so each product devised by BMW Group DesignworksUSA gains its specific uniqueness. Thanks to this approach the design studio stands out significantly from its competitors, convincing big brand names – from Microsoft and HP, Starbucks, Embraer, Advanced Medical Optics and Bavaria Yachts to Boeing Business Jets.
Design studio: BMW Group DesignworksUSA, Munich Studio
Client: Thermaltake, Taipeh, Taiwan
Project name: Design concept "Level 10"
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ken 9:45AM (3/15/2009)
I like it. Reminds me of a fancy Lian-Li case - not one of the stupid alien vagina things you see.
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Mazda FTW! 9:43AM (3/15/2009)
Nice. I saw this at Engadget last week. Reminds me a bit of the PS2.
DELL and HP are also introducing some nice chassis designs these days.
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Flashpoint 10:18AM (3/15/2009)
I couldn't buy one of these unless it was very upgradeable.
Randy 10:52PM (3/15/2009)
I've been a fan of each item enclosed in its own case for a while now! I drew a design of exactly this like 8 years ago! I thought it would be much easier for people to upgrade RAM and components if they just clicked it in without opening the box (even though that's really easy to do). Just people look inside and freak out!
But the only drawback I can see as I saw back then would be dusting it! Sounds silly but dust is a computers enemy and these things are technically and literally computers!
Just sharin a thought...
eric 10:11AM (3/15/2009)
Dust collector
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superman211 11:52PM (3/15/2009)
Vomit inducer.
Derek 9:59AM (3/15/2009)
I wants.
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Mobius_1 10:31AM (3/15/2009)
I bet this, if ever made, will be affordable...
..but the options will rip you off. :P
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Geekengineer 10:37AM (3/15/2009)
Sweet... autoblog redirected me to engadget. That's awesome.
P.S. I'll say it again: I'm gettin' sick of these rampant renderings. Show us stuff that either exists or *will* actually exist...
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Mazda FTW! 10:38AM (3/15/2009)
http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,678000/Thermaltake-Level-10-PC-case-with-BMW-concept/News/
Geekengineer 10:41AM (3/15/2009)
Okay, so I actually went to engadget and see the pictures of this thing "in the flesh".... but I stand by my statements.
It still doesn't look BMW-ish, though... but it's a heck of a lot better than my PC (something I threw together from Fry's components back in 2001).
Paul 10:40AM (3/15/2009)
So the last four Autoblog posts are about:
1. a computer
2. shoes
3. lines in the middle of the road
and
4. chairs that move
Hmmmmm
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Josh 5:30PM (3/15/2009)
Better than nothing I suppose...
Punchy 11:05AM (3/15/2009)
What exactly is LCD lighting?
The enclosure that looks like it holds the motherboard is decidedly mATX looking as opposed to a full size ATX version.
I wonder if that means, no SLI and perhaps some other trade offs that may hinder it's ability to be dubbed, "The Ultimate Gaming Machine".
Will have to look at some specs.
Punchy
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XGM 5:20PM (3/15/2009)
I think they meant LED lighting, which is replacing the cold cathodes people use in their gaming rigs.
Edmond Dantes 11:32AM (3/15/2009)
Ew, Bangle. Also, I don't like the interior. Give me a six-speed manual, too, please.
Wait, am I doing it right?
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pauseDOTcom 11:50AM (3/15/2009)
We talked to Thermaltake last week about this and posted it at pause.com: Around $400 and available in June.
http://www.pause.com/index.php/bmw-thinks-outside-the-box-for-thermaltake-level-10-goes-to-11/
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greyscale 11:44AM (3/15/2009)
These guys totally stole my idea. I came up with this a year ago. Get out of my head, BMW. Also, give me some money.
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tankd0g 12:03PM (3/15/2009)
All my machines are still in beige boxes :(
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brandon 12:48PM (3/15/2009)
I'll give the author a break since this is a car blog, but you have LED and LCD very confused. Hint: It is NOT LCD lighting.
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