Red Harbinger aims to integrate the computer and the desk, wrapped up in carbon black steel and polished glass. Its a design that will make you drool upon sight: state-of-the-art liquid cooling, oodles of space for HDD, motherboards, graphics cards, 3-6 Monitors and topped with glass tabletop that leave open the inner workings. In other words, the perfect workstation for the hardworking Engineer, Drafter or CAD artist. GrabCAD decided to give them a call and see if they'd talk about their yet-to-be released computer.
The Red Harbinger "Cross" is a machine customized for your needs. Behind its glass and steel exterior are two computers, envisioned as a server-computer tandem that gamers favour. There is space of 20 standard 3.5" plus 16 x 2.5" HDD and will accept the largest motherboards on the consumer market. A customized liquid cooling system features four radiators that cool the machine via single or dual loop. 14 120mm fans line the chassis to aid heat transfer. On top of this insanity, the entire desk is tricked out with wireless RGB LED lighting along the legs, edges and interior! The "Cross" can accommodate up to 6, 27" monitors, probably enough screen footage to keep your attention and give you a pleasant 'screen tan'.
Thomas talked up the optional items a lot. Foot-rests, extra shelving and even room for a mini-fridge! He was especially proud of the handwork and dedication put into a cohesive wire management system, the bane of custom computing. No cables or wires will be hanging from the back side of the desk, leaving nothing but a sleek and sublime piece of furnishing.
Red Harbinger was inspired by the L3P Desk by Peter Brands. CEO and Founder Thomas Nunn was deeply impressed by the L3P, and began looking for the right mix of engineer and computer designer. As it happen, GrabCAD played an important role. "I was looking everywhere for the right guy, then I stumbled across Scott Bruins on GrabCAD and started talking to him." As a happy surprise, Scott knew Peter and was instrumental in bringing him to Red Harbinger.
Thomas and I talked endlessly of future design plans. Ultimately, Red Harbinger is all about modular and customizable designs. Vanity plates, haptic technology, steampunk clocks, bespoke logo and motifs for the chassis and hands free user interface were discussed. For the professional CAD user or gamer, a computer isn't just a too - its a functional piece of furnishing that defines your life and career as much as your clothing or your house.
When I asked him why he's doing what he's doing, Thomas had this to say.
I would have to say that I wanted to take the PC market to a new level of thinking; harness all that wonderful, untapped talent and make it available to those without tools or special modding skills. Perhaps a desk that hides wires and eats graphics cards and cooling components. Maybe it's a mobile unit for LAN parties...or a case made of recycled goods for inexpensive PC's that will go to developing countries. Our main goal is to live off truly fresh ideas and turn them into a reality.
Awesomesauce. No solid date on release - most likely August 2012.
