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Can a PC Case Be Designed to Fend Off a Zombie Apocalypse?
Welcome, dear reader, to a question that may seem ridiculous at first glance, but could also spark some creative and practical thinking: could a PC case, that rectangular or tower-shaped box that houses your computer’s components, be useful in surviving a hypothetical zombie outbreak? And if so, how could we improve its design to increase our chances of staying alive?
Before we go deeper into this topic, let’s clarify some assumptions and limitations. First, zombies, as portrayed in popular media, are fictional creatures that are hard to define in terms of their behavior, physiology, or origin. Some zombies are slow, some are fast, some are mindless, some are sentient, some are infected by viruses, some are raised from the dead by magic, and so on. Therefore, we will not fixate on any particular zombie mythology, but rather use “zombie” as a shorthand for any kind of undead or infected creature that poses a significant threat to humans. Second, surviving a zombie apocalypse is a daunting and uncertain task that requires many skills, tools, and resources beyond a computer or its case. We will not try to provide a comprehensive survival guide here, nor claim that a fortified PC case is the only or even the most important tool you should have. However, we will assume that you have access to some basic computer hardware and software, as well as some knowledge of how to use them.
Now, let’s imagine that you are trapped in a building that is surrounded by zombies, and you want to hunker down and prepare yourself for a long siege. You have your laptop or desktop computer with you, but you also know that zombies can be attracted by noise, heat, or light, and can break through weak barriers. Therefore, you need to make your PC case more secure, silent, and energy-efficient, while also adding some useful features that can help you gather information, communicate with others, or defend yourself. Here are some possible ways to achieve these goals:
I. Reinforce the case with stronger and thicker materials
The weakest point of most PC cases is their side panels, which are usually made of thin sheets of metal, plastic, or glass that can be easily pierced, shattered, or removed. To prevent zombies from entering your case through these flimsy portals, you can replace them with more robust materials such as:
– Steel plates: You can cover your case with steel plates or sheets that are at least 1/4 inch thick and can withstand heavy blows or bullets. These plates can also be welded to each other or to the corners of the case to create a more solid frame that can resist bending or twisting.
– Kevlar panels: You can line the inside or outside of your case with Kevlar panels that are designed to stop bullets and other projectiles. Kevlar is a lightweight but strong synthetic fiber that can absorb and disperse energy without breaking or melting. Kevlar panels can also be overlapped or interlocked to provide additional protection and flexibility.
– Polycarbonate windows: If you still want to see what’s inside your case without exposing it to the world, you can replace your glass side panels with polycarbonate windows that are harder to break or scratch. Polycarbonate is a clear plastic that is used in many applications that require high impact resistance or transparency, such as safety glasses, shields, or aircraft windows.
II. Seal the case with noise-reducing and air-tight materials
Another vulnerability of most PC cases is their sound insulation and ventilation, which can generate unwanted noise and heat that can attract zombies or reveal your position. To make your case more stealthy and efficient, you can add or modify some parts of it in the following ways:
– Sound-deadening foam or mats: You can line the interior of your case with foam or mats that absorb or block sound waves. Sound-deadening materials can also reduce vibrations and echoes that can create secondary noise sources. Some popular brands of sound-deadening products for PC cases are AcoustiPack, Noctua, or QuietPC.
– Rubber grommets or o-rings: You can use rubber grommets or o-rings to isolate the moving parts of your case, such as fans or hard drives, from the rest of the case. These parts can generate noise or vibrations that can propagate through the metal and resonate with other parts. By damping these vibrations, you can reduce the overall noise level of your case and also extend the lifespan of your components.
– Air filters or purifiers: You can install or create air filters or purifiers that can remove or trap dust, smoke, or odor particles from the air that flows in and out of your case. These filters or purifiers can also remove or neutralize toxic or infectious agents that may be present in the environment. Some examples of air filters or purifiers for PC cases are SilverStone Air Penetrator, NZXT Kraken X40, or DeepCool Gamer Storm.
III. Equip the case with useful and defensive tools and gadgets
Finally, you can make your PC case even more valuable and versatile by adding some tools and gadgets that can serve various purposes, such as:
– Wireless antennas or boosters: You can install or attach powerful wireless antennas or boosters that can extend your range of connectivity and help you communicate with other survivors, access remote servers or databases, or intercept or jam zombie transmission signals. Some antennas or boosters that are compatible with most Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices are the ASUS RT-AC88U, Netgear Nighthawk EX7000, or TP-Link Archer C7.
– Emergency power sources or generators: You can attach or build external or internal power sources or generators that can provide backup electricity to your PC or other devices. These sources or generators can be powered by various means, such as solar panels, wind turbines, bicycle dynamos, or fuel cells. Some examples of emergency power sources or generators for PC cases are The PowerPot, Anker PowerCore, or Thermaltake Smart Pro RGB.
– Defensive weapons or traps: You can modify or create some parts of your case that can serve as defensive weapons or traps against zombies or other intruders. For example, you can attach spikes or blades to the corners or edges of your case, or you can rig some wires or sensors that trigger alarms or explosives when touched or crossed. Another possibility is to fill your case with water or sand that can absorb or slow down the impact of heavy objects or creatures. Of course, using these weapons or traps should be done with caution and legal compliance, and only as a last resort.
Conclusion: Can a PC case be designed to fend off a zombie apocalypse?
In summary, a PC case can be designed or modified to increase your chances of surviving a zombie apocalypse or other similar disaster, by making it more secure, silent, and versatile. To achieve this goal, you can reinforce the case with stronger and thicker materials, seal it with noise-reducing and air-tight materials, and equip it with useful and defensive tools and gadgets. Of course, these modifications will not guarantee your survival, and may also have some drawbacks, such as increased weight, cost, or complexity. Therefore, you should weigh the benefits and risks of each modification, and also consider other factors that may affect your survival, such as your location, your skills, your resources, and your alliances. Moreover, you should view these modifications not only as survival measures, but also as creative and fun projects that can challenge your ingenuity, knowledge, and curiosity about computer hardware and design. Who knows, maybe someday someone will make a PC case that can withstand a real zombie apocalypse, and earn some bragging rights or even a Nobel Prize for that achievement. Until then, let’s keep exploring and innovating in the wonderful universe of PCs and zombies alike.
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