Since I decided to set up my home automation server on a Raspberry Pi, I needed a case to house it. I found this cool, high-tech-looking case for the Raspberry Pi 5 that resembles a mini gaming PC, complete with LED lights that would make it stand out like a Christmas tree! Unfortunately, it wasn’t in stock locally, so I ordered one from China with a two-week delivery time.
Not wanting to wait to get started, I grabbed a minimalistic acrylic case as a temporary solution just to hold my Pi securely until the real deal arrives.
Today, my NVMe board arrived, so I installed it into this basic case. To my surprise, it fit perfectly and looked surprisingly sleek! Layered between the acrylic plates, the setup gave off a simple, compact, and almost invisible vibe – exactly what a 24/7 mini server should look like. No flashing lights (other than the power LED), no clutter, just pure functionality…
…and that’s when it hit me: this clean, low-profile setup is perfect. But then I remembered the flashy case on its way!
So, I came up with a new plan (yet another project on the list!). I’ll get another Pi – they’re relatively affordable – and build a second mini computer, this time fully equipped with a screen and accessories to run a retro gaming OS like RetroPie. I can build it with my kids, making it a fun project where we can bond, play games, and dive into learning Python, Linux, and other cool Raspberry Pi software. Recently, I assembled a high-spec gaming PC with my 12-year-old son, and he loved the experience. Sharing my hobbies with him is always a rewarding experience.
With this setup ready to go, I’m moving forward with automation projects and consider my hardware is sorted (for now). I am still waiting for the NVMe enclosure to be delivered, so I’ll be flashing the SSD and switching from the SD card to kick off with fresh storage. Exciting times ahead!
What do you think?