Last time we talked about upgrading your computer though artistic mods we looked at using paint and color to create a pair of one-of-a-kind speakers.  Painting is one of the most technical and time consuming mods you can do.  It takes a long time to lay down even layers of spray paint but once you master painting on plastic, you’ll start to look at everything in your house and office differently.  Imagine taking your desk phone apart and painting it gold or silver instead boring beige. 

Once you have painted everything you can get your hands on, it is time to move on to another form of computer upgrade and self expression — lights.  Adding lights to your customized projects is actually much easier than painting and the easiest form of light modification to complete is neon light tubes.  Neon lights come in four different styles, accents, liquid, sound-sensitive, and mini-tube and are usually used around the edges of a computer case or behind a surface.  

You want to plan your neon light installations before you purchase the light tubes.  Most neon lights are sold in lengths that vary from 3 inches to 20 inches and must be installed in straight lines because the tubes do not bend (unless you purchase speciality lights).  You should also measure the area you want to decorate carefully and purchase the appropriate length neon light tubes.  It is very easy to purchase a light tube that is too long and you will not be able to cut the tube down to size.

Neon lights do draw a little electrical current from your computer or an external power supply.  Some people play up this connection by incorporating a power switch into the design of the lights.  The tubes you purchase should come with instructions on how to connect the lights to your computer and to the necessary electricity.  Usually the electricity requirements for neon light tubes is very minimal and they should not put off excessive heat either, but you will want to follow the instructions provided to make sure you do not take the chance of damaging your computer electricity circuits.  

Adding colored neon lights to your computer modification projects can give you a boost of additional color and create a visual 3-D project.  Imagine accenting your painted speakers with lights that are sound-senstive and turn off and on every time you play music.  You could also choose lights are a contrasting color to your computer case and accent the front panel or the back.  One popular LCD monitor mod your can do with neon light tubes to very simple, install one tube along the back bottom section of your monitor and your desk will slightly glow with the neon color.  

Including neon light tubes in your modifications is a great way to expand your computer mod skills and upgrade your computer in a new and creative way.  You may want to try to limit the amount of neon you install in order to keep your office from being as bright as the outside but as long as you are having fun, who cares?