New Generation of Cases?

mikeb55121 writes "In my never ending quest to build a bigger and better computer i have come across this new design of computer case that is prety intresting to me and possibly any one else out there who build their own computers. This case is very unique because it is shaped as a "T" and the manufacture says that it ends cable clutter and has very good airflow." The aesthetics aren't bad, and the concept is solid. It'll be interesting to see if this catches on. I kind of doubt it.

An old lesson from Apple

[browser_war_pow]

I just had to cart a PC up 3 flights of stairs and down the hall to my dorm room. Moving my PowerMac was a lot easier because of the handles. PC makers still have a lot to learn from Apple IMO

Sliding it?

[brodin]

Seriously though, although it looks interesting it might prove difficult to slide in and out of an enclosure like a "computer" desk.

BTW, Let the Mr. T jokes commence.

Something this case fails to consider

[los furtive]

What about the short length of IDE cables, CD-ROM audio and others. I don't think this case properly addresses those issues.

The case kind of reminds me of my G4 Tower.

[BoomerSooner]

At least the way it opens/closes.

I'd like to see one up close. If it's under $80 and has at least a 340Watt power supply I'd buy one.

-1, troll

[Anonymous Coward]

Apple has a lot to learn about pricing and performance, too.

noise

[smokin_juan]

blah. it's all lights and cooling and cable clutter and poppy cock. let me know when they design a QUIET computer case. noise cancelation tech, built in sound dampening materials, baffles on the outside fans... hell i dunno, but my heap is LOUD and i'm doubting that a "T" does much for noise.

Re:An old lesson from Apple

[maverick41]

Agreed....not only does the current generation of PowerMac have handles on the exterior, but also utilizes "hubbable" interfaces such as USB and Firewire to at least move the cable clutter. They also allow easy motherboard access via the "drop-down" case design.

Huh?

[Idarubicin]

The aesthetics aren't bad, and the concept is solid. It'll be interesting to see if this catches on. I kind of doubt it.

Well, that's pessimistic. "It's good, but nobody will buy it."

If the airflow is as good as they claim, then that's excellent. I've had a number of problems over the years with poor cooling, and I'm certainly not a hardcore gamer or 3D renderer.

Easy access to everything in the case is also a big plus. It just looks so elegant. No more fumbling with lots of little screws and trying to get Tab A into Slot B reassembling my case.

There are a few potential problems: the manufacture of this case will be more costly--it's not just a box. So bargain hunters won't buy it. The shape of the case won't fit into a narrow slot that some desks leave; it wouldn't be a problem at my desk, but I can see trouble in cramped environments. Aesthetically, the shape is novel, but I don't know if it's as attractive as the poster makes out. Finally, are drive cables long enough to reach all the drive bays, or are we limited to technologies that permit longer cable runs (serial ATA, for example)?

My two cents.

Re:Something this case fails to consider

[mbourgon]

Actually, it shouldn't be an issue. It looks like the distance would be about the same, but the orientation of the board would be perpendicular to the drives instead of parallel. Remember, the thing is only about 1.5 feet long by 1.5 feet wide. Only issue I could see is when you're pulling the whole thing open, and like the other poster said, it comes with its own cables.

Two Observations

[idiotnot]

1. The cooling for the drives looks to be less-than-optimal. I tend to run SCSI drives in my systems, and many of them get hot. The intake for the fans would also pull air right off my nice cool 19" monitor, seeing as how my monitor is to the right of the tower.

2. There's a reason cables come out of the *back* of a computer -- you can route them to wherever you want them. Looking at this case, all the cables come out of the left side of the case. Looking at my desk, my tower is on the left side (which is by the wall). So with this, I'd have to route the cables *around* the back of the case....

Ob/.CaseMod: Where would you put the window and the neon lights?

Next generation of cases

[papasui]

I think the next generation of cases will be those made by companies that try to use as little space as possible, (yes they do need to ensure that there are no heat problems.). I've grown tired of having a tower case that doesn't tuck away under anything, and make so much noise I can hear the fans in the nearby room. My next computer will probably use a shuttle case/motherboard for these exact reasons.

Re:Ends Cable Clutter How?

[nsadhal]

I was thinking that it ends the cable clutter inside the machine. Partly because of those big IDE ribbons that require twisting to attach to the motherboard and the drives. With this design, the IDE cables do not need to be twisted to meet up to the motherboard connectors; they never change direction as the motherboard lies perpendicular to the drives.
I suppose the motherboard is also more accessible because there aren't those drive power cables running all over the place getting in the way when you want to insert a stick of RAM.

Re:An old lesson from Apple

[AKnightCowboy]

not only does the current generation of PowerMac have handles on the exterior, but also utilizes "hubbable" interfaces such as USB and Firewire to at least move the cable clutter.

PCs have had USB and Firewire for over 5 years now. What on earth are you talking about? Macs are cool and all, but USB is obviously not unique to them. Hell, my brand new iBook I bought in October doesn't even support USB 2.0 yet!

Re:Revenge on Taiwan...Thinking outside the port.

[Anonymous Coward]

New case designs will benifit greatly from new technologies (smaller ports, serial ATA, etc) already mentioned on slashdot. The motherboards will be smaller with the same or greater functionality. The cabling issue will be much more managable. One of the things that keeps boxes "boxy" is the motherboard/expansion card "right angle" relationship. Another is not enough thinking outside the box for expansion card/peripheral makers. Video cards with DV (Firewire) outputs. Thin is in. Same with sound (yes there's a company that already makes such a beast, professional only). USB 2.0 used even more. Integrated hubs into peripherals. Why does the mouse have to plug into the back of the PC? Breakout boxes becoming more common.

Re:one perfect shape

[jez_f]

I think there is a lot of scope for cases to get more interesing. Case modding was never going to get into the mainstream cause it was a little (well a lot) too geekey.
But with power becoming less relivant for the average user, price and looks are going to start becoming selling points
I know mac clued up to this ages ago but PC makers arn't there yet.
Mini ITX has a lot of potential, even if it is a bit under powered at the moment.My fave case for this is the netbox cubit [netbox.co.uk]. It looks very nice but it is a little pricy for my liking.
There are a few more cases over at mini itx [mini-itx.com]
I have been carting round my tower for too long so now I want to go to the other extreme.

Re:Apple G4

[visionsofmcskill]

Uh. the resemblence is fairly obvious... an easy open case that presents access to all its components in one simple opening that lays the motherboard out exposing the nearly unimpeded internals.

i like how they call the design "revolutionary" ... i will give them credit though.... i very much like having my ports on the side as opposed to the rear.

how much is this thing anyway?