We figured that there may be others who, like us, were put off by the thought of being stuck with a pre-configured laptop that can’t be customized or upgraded, so we set out to create something that offers portability while still allowing the user to choose the components.

Our solution is a compact computer case, with a built in stand and carry handle, that allows you to mount a monitor onto it using standard VESA mounting holes. As we explored the idea, we realized that it presents even more benefits than we initially thought! Not only would it enable easy transportation and accept high-end components as initially planned, it would also tidy up your desk by eliminating the large tower and reducing cable clutter by facing the motherboard downwards and routing cables through a hole in the stand.

We've been working on this project for over a year, and have raised funding, won competitions and tested two prototype units. We're now offering you the opportunity to back our project and receive the C1 Case for themselves.

Designing the Prototype:

Once we decided to pursue the idea of a compact, portable computer case, we got to work designing it. Oliver began drawing 3D concepts, refining the design, and creating 3D renders. He examined other cases, asked hardware and gaming communities for feedback and suggestions, and arrived at the three designs shown below. While he worked on creating the best design possible, Ruairi began creating an IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign to fund the manufacturing of our first prototype.

The design process: Three renders of old designs we created, then improved on.

IndieGoGo:

Our next step was getting a prototype created. After shopping around, we settled on a factory in Shenzhen, China. To fund it, we launched a small IndieGoGo campaign, asking for $2,000. In the end we succeeded in raising $3,383, enabling us to perform more extensive testing and letting us know that there is a demand for what we were proposing.

First prototype:

After a lot of back and forth between ourselves and the factory, our first prototype was shipped to our door and we eagerly began testing the design. We examined everything from the finish and precision of the build, to the acoustics and thermals. There were a lot of developments to be made, but this was our first glimpse at the product we had envisioned for the future.

Our first ever prototype, fresh off the factory floor and ready for testing.

2nd Prototype & mass production:

We were contacted by RPD International, a UK manufacturing and supply chain firm. They agreed to create our second prototype and work with us after the Kickstarter campaign to manufacturing and ship a case to every backer.

Left: 2nd prototype in the early stage of manufacturing at RPD's factory in China

The second prototype was a huge improvement over the first, both in terms of aesthetics and function. We built a full working rig using this prototype, and it’s the one you see in our promo video and prototype gallery.

If the campaign reaches our funding goal, we have a thorough plan in place to ensure that all backers get their case, and get it on time. We have collaborated with RPD International, who have worked on many products for large corporations, to accurately estimate delivery times and production costs. Since we have already produced a prototype with the same company, there should not be any major hiccups in the manufacturing process.

We have allowed for a certain level of variance in both our costs and the delivery dates to ensure that any issues that may arise don’t compromise the fulfillment of rewards to backers. With all pledges delivered to backers, we will then turn our attention to scaling up our manufacturing and taking orders online.

There are two of us on the Crono Labs team, Ruairí McNicholas and Oliver Burke. Both of us have been using computers from a very young age, back to the 1995 Macintosh LC. We built our own work and gaming PC’s at the ages of 15 and 16, buying the parts from Hardware Versand in Germany and assembling them in our bedrooms.

Our passion for entrepreneurship was born over in Abu Dhabi. In second level school, we entered The F1 in Schools Challenge, a global STEM competition that challenges students to design, build and race miniature Formula 1 cars. Teams also had to design business portfolios, pitch to judging panels and create digital and print promotional materials. We placed 2nd in Ireland and represented the country at the 2014 World Finals in Abu Dhabi. Oliver lead the team of four and was the car designer, Ruairí was the web and graphic designer. We raised €20,000, the sum needed to pay for the trip.

The competition lasted 7 days, and while we didn’t make it into the top 10 of the 39 teams, we learned an enormous amount about design, manufacturing, marketing and business development. Upon returning home, we decided to start a business together, and Crono Labs was born.

Oliver: I designed the C1 Case, using CAD software and working with a factory in Shenzhen, China, to get our first prototype manufactured. I handle all the manufacturing and engineering areas in the business.

Ruairí: I created our website and branding, and take care of marketing, communications and business development. I’m on a gap year from a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems. I’m self-studying full-stack web development, and finance and economics.