{{ The eCog Pluto™ Case. Version 1.1B Boilerplate Ed. for Microsoft Surface™ - Windows® RT version}}
I have made the decision to more closely pattern the eCog Pluto after the iCog Hades for iPad. What this means is that from now on I will use the same brand of wireless Bluetooth keyboard that I was using for iCog Hades. In other words the eCog Pluto will accept the Surface Tablet WITHOUT the magnetically attached keyboard cover. The Bluetooth keyboard allows the use of brass-bezel typewriter style keys. I will, however, request that the patron communicate with me regularly, should I need any information regarding the tablet (mandatory).
NOTE: MICROSOFT SURFACE TABLET IS NOT INCLUDED!
NOTE: This is a custom item, made by hand AND it needs a period of time to be manufactured, NOT LESS THAN A MONTH LONG IN CALENDAR TIME. Please look at section titled: "Handling Time and Available Shipping" below.
NOTE: This post is for Version 1.1 of eCog Pluto™ which will be custom made to fit the Microsoft Surface™ with Windows® RT !! This case will NOT fit Microsoft Surface™ Pro
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Dear ladies and gentlemen:
eCog Pluto™ is the smaller sibling of the now infamous eCog Mercury Laptop™ for the Sony VAIO® F-Series laptop commissioned by Sony. The Pluto will inherit all of the attributes that were engendered in that project and which breathed life into that most unholy and successful of my creations, the iCog Hades™ for iPad® !! However the eCog Pluto™ will further, utilising the new Boilerplate Mk.2 metal decoration that has now been incorporated in the iCog Dione™for the iPhone®.
The eCog Pluto™ case is named after the Greek god of the underworld, ruler of the abode of the dead, earliet known as Hades, and this case is the natural progression for my case design parting from the iCog Dionaea™ (case for the iPad® 2) and the eCog Mercury™.
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{{Design Philosphy}}
I will attempt to transplant the look, feel and heft of the eCog Mercury™ and iCog Hades™, but adapting to the morphology of the MS Surface™. Some elements WILL be present regardless of the adaptation: I expect that the case will be build using the same techniques, as wooden frame-type case which leaves the touch-screen open for use (similar to "bumper cases"), but like the Hades™ the back is closed and decorated with metal parts. The tablet will slide slides into the case through a spring-gate
This case will be hand-crafted from scratch and NOT by using a laser CAD/CAM system as others you may see elsewhere. The iCog™/eCog™ cases are made primarily of wood, including Aspen, Poplar and Pine.
The reverse of the iCog Pluto™, will feature a derivative of the copper-sculpture on the back found on the iCog Hades™, and which is reminiscent of steam-powered machinery.
As in the Hades, there will be a pressure dial (non functional) essential for measuring the pressure of a boiler, and a thermometer as well (also non functional). Connecting the two “instruments,” you will have at least two "iron pipes" (actually made of solid steel), and a couple of "copper pipes" (actually a solid copper wire) presumably, connecting the instruments, Several steel round covers will hide various holes for "missing instruments."
The case, as usual, is hand-rubbed with English Walnut finish, and I use a Victorian-Era inspired black and white felt to cushion the tablet (alternatively a Cranberry-Apple felt is available; see the listings for the "iCog Dione™" in this store). A springed wooden gate allows one to slide the tablet in. HOWEVER, the trap door serves the dual functionality of giving access to a full size USB ports and the SD memory slot. As it is common for all my iCog™/eCog™ cases, the trap door shuts like a “mousetrap’ with a slight push, which I think gives the case a truly “antiquarian” 19th Century feel.
Like on the case of the Hades™, or Dionaea™, the front of the tablet’s glass front is unobstructed, on account that you have a front camera and the home button. Fully mechanised buttons will activate the On/Off and Volume controls.
{{The keyboard base of the iCog Hades™ (description)}}
The keyboard base is a relatively simple contraption, just a holder for the Bluetooth wireless keyboard, but it features the same type of English Walnut finish as the top lid, and the base also has two very strong spring-loaded hinges which force the lid shut when it is closed. Two curious hinged "flaps" cover the keys at either extreme of the case, and this is a design feature required by the fact that the Bluetooth Keyboard is slightly larger than the MS Surface itself.
The wireless Bluetooth® keyboard is battery powered and uses 2 "AAA" batteries; the wireless signal is in fact compatible with other PC products (please inquire). Another feature of the keyboard base is that the wireless keyboard features the same design style as in the eCog Mercury case; the keyboard of the laptop features typewriter-style keys surrounded in solid brass bezels surrounding an off-white label.
{{Availability of the iCog Hades™}}
Note the delivery of the iCog Pluto depends entirely on the availability of the Microsoft Surface ™. The iCog Pluto will be sold separate from the Microsoft Surface™ tablet. The buyer is expected to wait for a reasonable time period to allow the measurement of the MS Surface™ tablet and for the manufacture of the eCog Pluto™ case. This period is nominally one month but direct communication between buyer and seller is mandatory. The period shall be specified in "Work Days." (Monday Through Friday no holidays, read "Handling Time and Available Shipping" section below!).
THE MANUFACTURE PERIOD IS NO LESS THAN 20 WORK DAYS (Monday-Friday, no holidays) EQUIVALENT TO 30 CALENDAR DAYS.
{{ More About the iCog Hades™: design features }}
NOTE: This post is for Version 1 of eCog Pluto™ which will be custom made to fit the Microsoft Surface™ with Windows® RT !! This case will NOT fit Microsoft Surface™ Pro; look at my store, in the near future I will post a second version of eCog Pluto™; please send me a message if you are interested!
The iCog Pluto™ is primarily made of wood. This design feature was entirely intentional on account that I needed to make sure the case was as electromagnetically transparent as possible, so wood was an obvious choice.
Even so, having noted the advantages of the case I must do what's right and point to the nature of the device:
1. I reserve the right to make small changes to the design to improve the performance of the case. Any significant changes will be reflected in photographs as time progresses and will have a specific version number. Examples: recently, I changed the size and shape of the camera hole of the iCog Dione™ for the iPhone ® to allow for better clearance in field of view for the rear camera lens and LED light (v.1.1); For the same Dione ™, I also changed the button mechanisms (v.1.2) which I described above, and I will frequently update the dial designs according to availability (v.1.2.1).
2. Any presence of metal around a cellular phone or Wi-Fi wireless tablet will have an effect on the signal transmission and reception. It can't be helped. Same can be told about GPS antennas. Please read paragraph below:
{{ IMPORTANT NOTES and DISCLAIMERS }}
The metal back-plate has not been tested for electromagnetic interference with the 4G cellular signal, Wi-Fi wireless, and GPS signal reception. I can’t guarantee the use of the case will not result in a weakening in the reception/transmission of the signal, but it must be noted the metal decorations are electrically isolated from the antenna.
I HAVE A NO RETURN POLICY FOR THIS ITEM BASED ON AESTHETICS (as you can see what you buy; contact me if you need more information).
ALSO NOTE I HAVE A NO RETURN POLICY FOR THIS ITEM BASED ON TRANSMISSION or RECEPTION PERFORMANCE CLAIMS, NOR WILL I ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR GPS RECEPTION PROBLEMS.
{ Handling Time and Available Shipping }
This is a custom item, made by hand AND this post of for the very first protoytype for the device; it needs a period of time to be manufactured and THE MANUFACTURE PERIOD IS NO LESS THAN 20 WORK DAYS (Monday-Friday, no holidays) EQUIVALENT TO 30 CALENDAR DAYS. Shipping will occur within 5 days after the end of the manufacture period, to allow for handling and shipping arrangements.
There will be two options for the patron who purchases this order: FedEx and US Postal Service.
The DEFAULT SHIPPING SERVICE IS USPS AS QUOTED IN THIS POST. The customer needs to inform me if FedEx is preferred. To keep the costs down, I am offering shipping via United States Postal Service, WITH INSURANCE, under the "Flat Rate Priority Mail" service. If possible (national service), I will issue a "Delivery Confirmation Number," which is equivalent to a tracking number (you can track at www.usps.com please allow 24 hrs. after shipping to have the number entered into the computer system). Shipping is available for the United States, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. For other parts of the world you must inquire first and indicate the shipping address.
Microsoft® and Windows® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation, and Surface™ is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Apple® iPod®, iPhone®, iPad ®, and Smart Cover® are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.
VAIO® is registered trademark of Sony Electronics, Inc.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG
iCog™ , eCog™, iCog Lid™, iCog Tactile™, iCog Dione™, iCog Dionaea™, iCog Hades™, eCog Aeneas™, eCog Aphrodite™, and eCog™ Mercury, are trademarks of John William Dunn.
All Rights Reserved.
