Abstract: A compact housing for a workstation-class computer is disclosed. The apparatus includes a structural heat sink with a horizontal base heat sink that includes an interchangeable power source housing and a hard disk drive receptacle. The horizontal base heat sink operates to conduct heat away from the functional elements positioned within the interchangeable power source housing and the hard disk drive receptacle. The structural heat sink also includes a vertical tower heat sink to support functional elements including a power converter. The vertical tower heat sink operates to conduct heat away from the functional elements. The vertical tower heat sink also includes support devices for receiving a detachable pivot display system. The structural heat sink is surrounded by a vented exterior skin that facilitates convective heat transfer from the structural heat sink.

Abstract: A computer construction particularly suited for desktop computers whereby the computer may be opened to provide access to substantially all of the functional components thereof for trouble shooting, maintenance and repair purposes without disconnection of any of the interconnects within the computer and without any interference with the connectability thereof with the outside world, whereby the computer and the input/output functions thereof may be fully functional and exercisable when the computer is so opneed. The computer housing is split into upper and lower housing assemblies with the mother board fastened into the lower portion of the lower housing assembly and the power supply, cooling fan and disk drives fastened into the upper housing assembly.