Laser Etching on N900 Backplate?

[quingu]

Heya,

I'm wondering what the backplate of the n900 is made of, and if it would be possible to laser-etch it.

Here are some examples what can be done with laser etching:

The original Kindle2 "Don't Panic etch (with video) (http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2009/03/12/first-laser-etched-kindle-2-the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy-dont-panic/)

step by step with powerbook (http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2005/11/laseretched_powerbook.html)

Etched Blackberries and cameras and whatnot. (http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2006/04/gadgets_from_th.php)


Can anyone with a n900 prototype comment on the material that is used for the backplate?

Or does anybody have experience with laser-etched stuff?

[attila77]

Seemed plastic. Now, the trouble is if it's genuinely dark-gray plastic (not just painted/coated) as then the etchings won't be too visible - you'll notice that in your links people etched something light in color, or something painted.

[munky261]

I guess Im in the minority, I want a device to be totally free of all markings and logos.

[ruskie]

Well then it's a minority atleast of two ;)

I prefer a clean device as well. Even the current branding is a bit much.

[andrewfblack]

if its plastic or even then metal you can etch both. I have had several of my devices etched, my PSP turned out the best its Silver pained Yellow Plastic so it really shows up. That my one wife had etched for our first anniversary I'll never forget our anniversary because the date is on the back.

[Richrd]

I also like my devices with no logos and such. On the other hand it's sort of cool that the N900 has "ARM Cortex-A8 | 32GB" on the back. For me the amount of branding on the N900 is still ok.

[ralphb]

On the other hand it's sort of cool that the N900 has "ARM Cortex-A8 | 32GB" on the back.

... until the first time you meet the person with "64GB" on the back of theirs.:(

[zerojay]

I'm no laser etching expert, but the back cover is made of black plastic as attila77 said.

[barry99705]

Anything can be laser etched, even diamonds. As for dark plastic, etch it then squeegee in a lighter colored paint. They can also etch it then sprinkle on I think it's plastic powder then reburn at a lower wattage. It will melt in the plastic into the original etching.

[zkyevolved]

I guess Im in the minority, I want a device to be totally free of all markings and logos.

Me too, I want to decorate my own device! It looks like I'm going to have to remove my Rainbow Bright & Barney stickers and place them on my device and "make it mine" :) hehe.

[aSIMULAtor]

Me too, I want to decorate my own device! It looks like I'm going to have to remove my Rainbow Bright & Barney stickers and place them on my device and "make it mine" :) hehe.

i think i'll make a my little pony theme for my device, complete with pink buttons. then put an etching of she-ra or possibly robotech on the back cover. it'll be SWEET :D

[thorbo]

Well, for a uniqueness factor, etch the area behind the screen, so when you drop the keyboard down, there is your etching. I think that area is aluminum. Would be good if someone took it, too. You could use it as a method of retrieval... or proof of ownership.... and it will not be as easy to replace as the back-plate (for thieves)

[R-R]

A nice futuristic mesh design wood be nice... but where do i get a cheap "laser" printer? :P

[quingu]

Well, for a uniqueness factor, etch the area behind the screen, so when you drop the keyboard down, there is your etching. I think that area is aluminum. Would be good if someone took it, too. You could use it as a method of retrieval... or proof of ownership.... and it will not be as easy to replace as the back-plate (for thieves)

But if someone messes up or if i wanted to sell it, the easy replacement of the backplate would be a big bonus...

The aluminium part is well suited to put a sticker there. It's well protected.
Actually, that's what i'm planning to do since it's unlikely that i'll be able to afford laser etching.

Still, I really like the idea of customizing the looks of (hopefully soon to be) my n900. That's why I'm brainstorming a bit and collecting input :-)

[sjgadsby]

A nice futuristic mesh design wood be nice... but where do i get a cheap "laser" printer?

If the battery door is plastic, you don't need a laser (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00910148000P?vName=Tools&cName=Bench+%26+Stationary+Power+Tools&sName=Jointers%2C+Planers+%26+Shapers).

Oh, right. "Cheap." Hrm.

[timsamoff]

Well, for a uniqueness factor, etch the area behind the screen, so when you drop the keyboard down, there is your etching.
Or, a slick vinyl label.

Tim

[barry99705]

i think i'll make a my little pony theme for my device, complete with pink buttons. then put an etching of she-ra or possibly robotech on the back cover. it'll be SWEET :D

I'd link to a picture I found on deviantart.com, but this is a family site, so just imagine slutty grown up rainbow brite saying a certain fruity candy slogan. ;)

[qole]

Me too, I want to decorate my own device! It looks like I'm going to have to remove my Rainbow Bright & Barney stickers and place them on my device and "make it mine" :) hehe.

i think i'll make a my little pony theme for my device, complete with pink buttons. then put an etching of she-ra or possibly robotech on the back cover. it'll be SWEET :D

Cut it out with the rainbows and unicorns, you two. The N900 is black. Black says, "I'm tough," "I'm hot," or "I'm cool," not "I love ponies!"

:D

[timsamoff]

I like pie.

[sjgadsby]

...not "I love ponies!"

"Real Men Love Unicorns" (http://www.holytaco.com/30-awesomely-bad-unicorn-tattoos-gallery) (NSFW)

[qole]

sjgadsby: That was awful.

Awesomely awful.

[attila77]

Whoa. My cognitive processes said TILT. I mean, I thought you can't get much worse than some Hello Kitty Hell (http://www.kittyhell.com/2008/01/09/hello-kitty-jesus-tattoo/) (NSFW, too) stuff, but this... the number of live puppies in the universe is probably not going to be a positive integer for quite a while.

[quipper8]

decoration is not necessary, it adds no function

I have griped before about nokia putting the big fat logo on the front screen bezel

[R-R]

Maybe a full body "screen" protector with some design for the back would be nice too...

(Note: thanks for galleries haha !)

[qole]

I bet you a sharpie (http://helpyourdoc.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/sharpie.jpg) could fix the Nokia logo problem. The tiny N900 logo may be more difficult.

[zkyevolved]

Cut it out with the rainbows and unicorns, you two. The N900 is black. Black says, "I'm tough," "I'm hot," or "I'm cool," not "I love ponies!"

:D

... But I do love ponies. And you're racist! What if a man of color LOVED ponies! Just because he's a man of color he couldn't love them!? You're racist and you should be a little bit more open minded! LOL.

BTW- Has anyone tried the new pink Hannah Montana stickers on all black? It's GORGEOUS! LOL!

[zkyevolved]

Are you guys thinking about getting a body protector? The invisible shield is always good, but I don't know if they'll make it for this device. I don't want a rubberized guard because it's already a large device and I DO want to carry it in my pants :P...

But I will for sure be ebaying up like 15 screen protectors when they come out :)

[quingu]

Damn, the aluminium shell of the 770 was so awesome. it was heavy and blocked the pen, but it saved my 770 more than one time from shattering on the ground after a 1,20m drop.

Would have been great to etch, too. But I don't feel like spending any more money on it anymore...

[barry99705]

A nice futuristic mesh design wood be nice... but where do i get a cheap "laser" printer? :P

http://www.epiloglaser.com/zing_models.htm

[qole]

$8000 is cheap?