Everywhere you look today you see run of the mill, quotidian computer cases that simply lack any kind of “wow” effect. Technology blazes forward, yet the design of the desktop case remains relatively unchanged. It doesn’t have to be this way, and many people have actually designed their own, unique computer cases that match their own individuality and taste. Below are 19 of the most distinctive and amazing computer case mods around.

Coffin Case

(image via funnychill)

This unique workstation design gives whole new meaning to the term “blue screen of death!” When the top is closed, some might wonder who you have buried in your home office, and you can slyly reply, “the last intern who defied my wishes!” However when open, the coffin workstation is a capable and brilliantly designed machine! A cross shaped window on the far end of the case even gives you an illuminated look at the guts of the machine!

R2D2 Computer

(images via thecontaminated)

This computer is encased completely in an R2D2 robot shell. This droid has got it all, including double-decker CD-ROM drives. Wouldn’t it be awesome if it came with a real working projector out of the little scope under his “eye?” Star wars fanatics would have endless fun projecting Princess Leia all over the room saying, “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi! You’re my only hope!”
Awesome Glasswork

(image via unusualnewtechnology )

Reminiscent of the glass work one often finds in cathedrals, this computer case mod proves that technology can also be art. The gorgeous glass sides of the case show flowers extending downward from the top, and the glass is ever so slightly frosted. Soft lights on the inside of the case give the artwork a gentle feel. Tying it all together is a light brown wooden frame work and dark gold colored handles.

Medieval Chest

(image via coolpics)

When one speaks of archaic technology, this is not exactly the what they mean. This small computer was engineered to fit inside a portable case that looks like something you might find in an enchanted forest. Even the wires are insulated in fraying browned cloth. Want to bring it to the LAN party down the block? Just close the top, fasten its straps and you’re good to go.

Trash Bin Computer

(image via coolpics)

This is a mod that must have been no simple task to engineer. Occupying a waste bin, this environmentally friendly PC reminds you to recycle with its lid. It’s too bad this bad boy isn’t a Mac – it sure looks a lot like the OS-X trash bin icon, doesn’t it?

Off-Road Technolgy

(image via zedomax)

Now this is one case mod that you cannot tell your kids not play with. “Son, don’t touch the computer! Its not a toy! Er…well…not anymore anyway!” With a small flat screen and keyboard under the hood, this Ford Bronco look-alike PC is an all in one workstation. Hook up a mouse, turn the key and you’re ready to hit the information superhighway!

Serious Steampunk

(image via boingboing)

Fans of steampunk art are sure to love this amazing looking case mod. With valves and copper pipes extending all over the outside, this PC looks like its ready to fire up and hit the rails. The dark stained wood adds to the intriguing appeal of this case mod which is yet another example of technological artwork.

Elegant Wood

(image via declubz)

Sometimes a case mod doesnt have to be shocking or intricately detailed to be worthy of praise. This wooden design is rather simplistic and minimalist, yet it is still beautiful and worthy of mention.  Wood staining is the key to this piece’s interesting design. Everything on this case is made out of wood, including the inner support structures. No bling, no sparkles, just well executed woodwork applied to an interesting concept.

Pizza Box Computer

(images via techchee)

The perfect computer for a college dorm room, this computer case is nothing more than an old pizza box with the requisite computer components shoved into it. Perhaps a tongue-in-cheek joke about the sterotype of the amount of pizza consumed by computer geeks, this case mod is quite bizarre. At least the designer remembered to cut an opening for the fan, although air circulation through a cramped cardboard pizza box can’t be very good. Playing a high-powered video game on such a machine might just result in a fire.

The Millennium Falcon

(image via gadgetvenue)

Have you ever wished you could pilot the Millennium Falcon? This might be the closest you can come without getting yourself cast in a fan remake of the Star Wars movies. This computer is contained entirely within the famous battle ship from Star Wars, and it’s both detailed and functional. Even the desktop background appears as though you are zooming through space! Mod away, and may the force be with you.

The Tie Fighter Workstation

(image via hardmodding)

Step behind the controls of an Imperial Tie Fighter every time you sit down at the PC. You will never have felt so powerful blasting n00bs away in online game play as you will sitting at a massive Tie Fighter desk. The entire computer is housed in the body of the fighter, which appears to provide more than adequate room for all of the necessary guts.

Harley Davidson Performance

(image via bornrich)

Harness the power of a legendary American Harley Davidson motorcycle with this awesome computer mod. For all those who love their bikes for their design as much as their power, this is the computer for you. The coolest part? The engine actually runs! The small V2 engine uses its pistons to pump water through the computer, cooling its components off. Not even West Coast Choppers can top that!

The Skeleton Case

(image via darkroastedblend)

Ever see a computer’s skeleton before? This design is refreshingly freaky and begs to be studied.  It almost appears as though it belongs in a Tim Burton flick, the sort of computer Jack Skellington would use. It appears as if it is lunging out at you like some kind of perverse jack-in-the-box. One can only speculate on the artist’s inspiration for creating this work.

The Computer Nerd’s Mistress

(image via unrealitymag)

For all those who consider their PC their second girlfriend, why not at least enjoy looking at it? With this bikini babe case mod, you no longer have to feel ashamed for referring to your computer as sexy! Your real girlfriend might get jealous as you slowly start spending more time at the keyboard, but who can blame you?

Jack-O-PC

(image via ursispaltenstein)

The eyes of this Jack-O-PC complete the freaky Halloween look. Fan vents and red LEDs! How much more evil can you get? It appears that you can even take the top off to inspect the computer’s insides – just be careful of the seeds! The case appears to be made out of hand crafted pottery. The look is completed with a CD-ROM drive for a mouth. This computer is delightfully bizarre and begs you to ask: “trick or treat?”

Microwave PC

(image via unrealitymag)

No, that isnt a casserole heating in there, thats the screen! This entire computer is housed in an old microwave with the screen built into the door. One has to wonder if the old microwave controls have any effect on the system. It would be pretty amazing if it was possible to set fan speeds and regulate temperatures with the old timer screen.

Mail Box Case

(image via insanelymac)

This case design gives whole new meaning to the old “You’ve Got Mail” notification. Wouldn’t it be cool if the red arm on the side would raise every time a new email arrived? This case mod features a blue light to illuminate the inside of the computer, which nicely complements the silver metal exterior. So go ahead, jump into an Unreal Tournament game room and go postal!

Lord Of The Rings Style

(image via techfresh)

Looking like an old mystical book from medieval times, this computer would go great with a old pewter  chalice and a posset. If Ash from The Evil Dead movies had a personal computer, is would look like this. Complete with ominous red glowing insides, this computer just looks bad-ass and evil.

Antique Phone Case

(image via darkroastedblend)

Marrying the technology of yesterday to that of modern times, this phone PC is both beautiful and functional. It is even conveniently on wheels, letting you roll it from one room to the next. The only thing that could make this case mod even cooler would be a working phone line hooked up to the phone.

Geeks may rule the internet, but do they rule the world? To take a look at some modern graffiti, one might think so. Plenty of street art has begun to take on a tech-inspired flavor, whether it’s graffiti that references geek culture or some new kind of gadget that makes tagging easier. These prime examples of geeky graffiti might make you think that geeks spend much more time outside than previously believed.

Techy Take-Over

(images via: rebel:art and Wooster Collective)

What would happen if the familiar computer-based images we see every day actually made their way into real life? Would we see broken image links where billboards and signs used to be? Would we get rid of unwanted objects in a hilariously pixellated trash can?

(image via: Questionmarc)

With the ubiquitous status updates hitting us from all angles at all times of the day, it was only a matter of time before they started spilling over into meatspace. This Twitter update lasted a month on its wall, according to its creator: Nottingham, UK artist Questionmarc.

(images via: Skunkadelic)

In Berlin, graffiti has taken on some mighty interesting shapes. On the left, some operation is taking longer than expected and the dreaded 8-bit “wait” icon is prompting viewers to be patient while the world works on whatever is going to happen next. On the right, passers-by are tempted to zoom in on a wall containing a rather mundane sign (“keep exit clear night and day”).

Inside Jokes

(images via: Filippo Minelli and Luca Vanzella)

Geeks are famous (and somewhat disliked) for their love of inside jokes. They taunt the technology-illiterate with their hilarious (?) jokes told in dead programming languages, then wonder why no one invites them to the good parties. While these geek graffiti pieces do require some tech knowledge, they aren’t so obscure that “normal” people will simply roll their eyes and walk off. Far above, a huge “CTRL + ALT + DELETE” on the West Bank wall in Palestine is more a social commentary than a straight act of geek defiance. Above, a geeky little poem decorates a building in Brussels…but loses a bit of its meaning when translated here into digital form.

(images via: ideacat and cjbj)

These pieces are graffiti that only a geek could love. Far above, “amor” (“love” in Spanish) is spelled out in binary. Is it a hidden courtship message from one robot to another? Or just a supremely geeky bit of public decoration in Barcelona? Just above, a bit of Silicon Valley graffiti reveals just how nerdy the population there is. On the Oracle campus, this line of code adorns a curb and makes Oracle developers shudder…not because it is scary, but because they have hammered out those characters on their keyboards countless times.

Nerdy Retail Intervention

(images via: rebel:art)

Many geeks and nerds have a long-standing contempt for all things Windows. They also have access to design software and high-quality printers, so this type of intervention shouldn’t come as a surprise, really. These particular stickers are sold by the Evil Mad Science shop and can be slapped onto any product that has undergone an “update” that proved to be anything but helpful…though we would never actually condone retail vandalism, of course.

High-Tech Graffiti

(images via: Dornob)

Tagging with cans of spray paint certainly has an old-school satisfaction to it, but if you want to get really futuristic about your street art you’ll find a high-tech way to paint the city. The above pieces were created with a portable robotic mural machine. It lobs paintballs at walls at over 100 miles per hour in pre-programmed patterns. When the balls hit the wall, they explode and create surprisingly sophisticated pictures.

(image via: Gajitz)

Using a deceptively simple-looking hand-held device, the SMSlingshot “shoots” user-generated text messages at walls and splatters them there like splotches of paint. The system is more complicated (and geeky) than it looks, involving lasers and projectors and all sorts of fun-looking gadgets.

(image via: Karolina Sobecka)

This running tiger is definitely one of the most amazing forms of temporary graffiti you’ll ever see. The image of the tiger is projected onto buildings from a moving car. The animal’s movements correspond to the car’s speed, giving it a shockingly realistic look as it races through streets and alleyways, mystifying onlookers.