Tinker Mods Blog | Xbox One

Oh so scared

That's it, that's the whole article. Everyone is just too scared to do it, that's why everyone thinks so negatively about Xbox One case modding. You're worried you will void your warranty or get banned from Xbox live, you're worried about messing your console up because it's difficult to case mod. It's all just fear and worry. Well, I want to set the record straight on a few things and maybe help you understand that Xbox One case modding isn't as bad as you think it is.

BANNED 4 LYFE

Yeah.RIGHT. There are no magical sticks inside your Xbox One console. There are no hyper intelligent A.I.s lurking inside going "OH SNAP, Dude just added some LED lights for maximum wow effect, BAN HIM" Nothing like that exists in the Xbox One console and nothing ever will.

Unfortunately I do understand why people are worried about getting banned. There are tons of modders doing things with consoles that are breaking copyright laws and stealing intellectual properties. They find ways to cheat in online gameplay. Yeah, those guys really do get banned. But case modding doesn't steal or infringe on copyrights. It's not allowing you to cheat and ruin other peoples gaming experience. So, case mods do not equal console bans.

No more warranties!

This is true, if you open it, that warranty is gone. BUT, there's a big catch to that. Your warranty doesn't mean much anyways. Your warranty only covers certain issues. Anything they deem as accidental (Which is a very loose term that can mean many things) won't get covered. Then you have to fork up well over 100 dollars to have it fixed. Microsoft also tries to get you to buy those extra warranties from 3rd parties like square trade, etc. Or you could run into issues like This poor guy who got denied a warranty claim for an Xbox One that they deemed "Tampered with", that wasn't actually tampered with. And of course all those warranties he bought extra didn't do him any good either. Oh and make sure to read the comments on that post above if you check it out. Tons of people voicing there same or similar issues with warranties.

The bottom line here, opening your Xbox One console isn't as bad as you think. People have issues getting someone to acknowledge or accept legitimate warranties. So, it isn't a bad idea to learn a bit about how the inside of it works. More than likely, you'll need to repair the console yourself anyways.

It's just too expensive

I totally get this one. In reality Xbox One case modding can cost you no more than 10...20...30 bucks (Depending on what you want do.) That really isn't that much. The problem people come across are the tools. You need a Dremel with the correct attachments and cutting bits, sanding belts, etc. plexi-glass cutters, soldering iron, and sometimes more. That alone can cost you a hundred dollars or more. Now all of a sudden you have to spend 150...200....250...dollars just to get everything you need. That's a little high, I get that.

Luckily you don't need all that stuff to get it done. Maybe you have a dremel or a tool you feel comfortable using to cut out a custom case for your Xbox One... but no soldering iron. This is where a kit comes in handy. There's no need to spend 50 bucks on a soldering iron and solder and flux when you can get an Xbox One LED kit like this for 20 bucks that's ready to install the second you get it. Same goes for the case. Maybe you know how to solder better than you know how to use a fork, but cutting the case is a problem because you've never done it before and don't even own a Dremel. That's why these Xbox One case mod kits are a better option. Cut, windowed, and ready to install! Use your strengths and what you have and get a kit to finish the rest! It will save you tons of money and time as well. Which sort of brings me to the next and final issue.

It's just too difficult to do

This is just as understandable as the cost issue above. In fact, 20 to 30 percent of people who contact me any given day are contacting me about finishing/fixing their Xbox One case modding project that didn't work out. This is a situation where sometimes someone doesn't even know where to start or how to learn.

As mentioned before Xbox One Mod parts and kits like these are a great option for someone who doesn't have much skill with soldering or working with their hands. Kits are not difficult to install and require a minimal amount of knowledge to get them in. However a big part of case modding is learning how to do some parts yourself. This is why you should find some great Xbox One modding tutorials like these and learn how to start an Xbox one case modding project yourself!

Xbox One case modding isn't as bad as you think, you just need the facts and know where to learn how to do it. I think the best part about case modding is you get to see this awesome project come together and you are the one making it happen. One thing people tell me is they can't believe how much fun it is to take a game console and change it into something else, something better than what you had before. So, get on out there future case modders, get out there and create! (Oh and show me your projects when you're done, I love to see what cool things people do with their consoles!)