Well, I've been browsing for parts for a new computer build and I'm just about done. Not entirely surprising, the one component that's taken me the longest to pick is the case. I felt this deserved a topic just for the possibility for some case designers to take note. This is mostly a review of computer cases in general. Similar to someone upset about how MMO gaming is not where it should be, the designs of computer cases give me night terrors.

I find there is a good analogy between computer cases and web sites. In each, you want them to be accessible to the user as well as providing visual appeal. You want the users pre-existing choices (OS/browser/etc to mobo/video cards/additional cooling) to affect the way in which they use your product as little as possible. Of course there are niches in which certain products fill voids or certain needs but those are small demographics which are generally reflected by the amount of market they share (not to say they are a small, inferior part, just a percentage). Worst case scenario, you have to make decisions and completely alienate people browsing for a product similar to yours.

Only shopping at NewEgg for computer parts, I know I'm not browsing at every single computer case available, but I feel ~800 tower computer cases is numerically a good selection. But something disappoints me when I feel only 20% of all of those are even worth considering before I even make a "does it look good" decision.

The majority of people keep their computer low to the ground. Either directly on the ground or on a shelfing hutch a couple inches up because computer desk engineers feel that's a pretty good place to put it, too. Either to the left or to the right of someone's sitting position. You would think the right side would be the most popular (right-handed people are majority) but due to the fact that every case features the motherboard tray on the right side and if it has a side fan it's featured on the opposite side. Putting a fan against the side of a desk is highly illogical, so we're generally forced to put it on the left side if faced with such a circumstance. I used to never question why that was. The motherboard has to face a certain way. That is, if you need your CPU to be up top. I'm not a physicist so I'll let it go. Everyone does it, no other choice, end of story.

I'm glad to see that they're starting to put the power supply at the bottom of cases more often now. It took a long time of people fiddling with shims, shelving panels, latches, and L-brackets for someone to realize that it's better if you just don't defy gravity in the first place and put it where it can't fall any further.

One trend I'm not enjoying is the whole LED fiasco that has gone on long enough. Case modding had a somewhat explosion and this was the end result from case manufacturers. Apparently the more and brighter, the better. You might even win points if you can't tell the difference between the power and reset buttons from the HD access lights or the front bezel accents. And for a little extra merriment, throw in those fans that have the LEDs in them. It's better if you want to turn off the lights that you actually lose something useful. I could rant all day about how bright LEDs piss me off when they're not for viewing things in the dark but I think that covers the topic enough. It's sad when you look over a case the first time you see it, even though it uses them in a very classy/stylish way, because of the stigma placed in your mind about how 99% of cases use LEDs.

Apevia X-Dreamer II - I still, temporarily, own this case. The picture doesn't do it justice. I somehow slept in the same room as this thing with it running. Imagine the intensity of somewhere inbetween a nightlight and the sun.

NZXT. Zero 2 - Notice how much of the light is diffused and indirectly shining.

I do really like the clean look so I'm not upset at all by doors that cover the whole front. Infact, it used to be a highly prized feature with a lock. But one thing I know is annoying is opening that door to find it hitting your desk or opening the wrong way, and having to do the cookie snatch to get to the drive. There are doors that open to the left, doors that open to the right, even doors that open to the top. All potentially in the way of some operation afterwards. A good solution is to leave one 5.25" bay unobstructed. But why not just open downwards? All quality reptile cages do this. I saw not one computer case featuring a door to open downwards (although the Alienwares do it, neatly as well) Which leads me to another topic. For years, we spent hunching down to connect our USB and headset devices to the front bezel of our computers. Someone had a eureka moment and said, "Hey, we don't have desktop cases anymore. They're towers on the ground. We should place those inputs closer to the top for better accessibility." And a revolution was started. Well, starting. This is one thing I realized is a must-have in a computer case and it immediately depletes 95% of all the cases I have to choose from. And a lot of those were made in the passed year. So definitely jump on the bandwagon for that trend. I don't like the cookie snatch and I abhor the super deluxe monkey arm dip.

A motto I have for case designers is "If you can't do it well or you can't do it cheap, don't do it." If you're going to put a new case on the market for over $150 (the cost of just about any mid-range computer component nowadays consisting of transistors, resistors, capacitors and other electric sex meanderings) then it first and foremost should not look cheap right off the bat. If you're going to make it look like a 360ci Powerplant on the front of the case, it should look like it was made with grit and iron or silk and sand. Not Jimmy's melted Tonka Toys after being removed from the time capsule. Unless you can do it so cheap that you almost get excited about the mention of time capsules.

JPAC AUBLUE compared to Vento 3600. Only a $10 difference.

I'm not sure which I wish there were more of. Lightweight cases or cases with optional casters. If you want to keep your full tower case cheaper by going with steel instead of aluminum, casters are very inexpensive and give the case one more extra feature.

Color is definitely lacking in the case market. As nice as the pure, dang-nasty, evil black is, other colors are nice. And we've all graduated from the beige of our Grandpa's speed machine. I feel someone really dropped the ball during the whole iPod craze. White with a clear plastic finish looks sweeter the more surface area it is. What doesn't look good larger is a plain color. Lego blocks are cool. Mega Bloks are not. This is just my aesthetic sense talking but matte, high-gloss, and metallic reds are much more pleasing than "Avoid the Noid" red. Vast volumes of primary colors without any sort of texture, variation, or pattern are a huge no-no.

AMD HAF 932 Limited Edition - Although I don't like the basic red nor two-tones, this case features lots of whitespace breaks by using not just small gaps for the fan but the slight texture and the diffuser-like supports on the side.

This also brings me around circle back to the explosion of case-modding. Cases donning side panel windows with unfinished innards. Some manufacturers are starting to paint the inside of the case. Steel surfaces don't look too hot. Even if they are deburred and polished. As the previous motto stated, if you can't finish the job don't do it. Having a window creates many more aesthetic foul-ups than just leaving it window-less. I don't need to see the mainboard LED to make sure the computer's working. But if I were so inclined, I don't want a mess of cables, connectors, and twangers obstructing my view. Acrylic scratches really easy so etching something nice intended to obstruct the view is actually better than pretending it's going to stay clear and crisp. I'd also rather have a large, glossy, detailed, cheap decal on the side of a case than a cheap window on a cheap case "showing off" my cheap parts and inability to tidy up everything I managed to fit in the cramped confines of a cheap coffin.

Linkworld B319 - Sure, it's only $20. But that's an order of miso soup, edamame, salmon nigiri, tuna rolls, and california rolls. And I'm willing to bet the vinegar-equipped sushi keeps longer.

That about wraps it up. Not sure if this was more of a rant post or a constructive criticism for the market.

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