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Easy Access PC Cases?

Posted by Cliff on from the PC-case-mods-that-should-be dept.

swight1701 asks: "I remember seeing the MAC G4 case open for the first time and it was like a ray of light dropped down from above, and the Case was good. This has to have been the easiest access case in history, to be able to flip down the motherboard without removing any card from your PCI slots, genius. So why is it, like most of Apple's more frivilous case designs , and colors, was it not copied by other case manufacturers? If anyone HAS seen this, or know the reason why it wasn't, please tell us all!"

6 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. There are plenty of examples.... by Rope_a_Dope · · Score: 2, Informative

    Mainly in the business class models by the larger manufacturers.

    The HP Vectra was one of the most intuitive cases I ever saw. No screwdrivers were needed to dismantle the case, and take out every piece. Just a push of a button or flip of a lever.

    The Dell Optiplex line was also similar in those regards, although a few items did need a screwdriver.

    Unfortunately, the manufacturers only marketed these cases to the business IT people. The thinking was that only people who had hundreds of computers to set up would tinker inside the box all the time. Home users just let the box sit there and collect dust. To an extent that's true.

    I'm happy just leaving my case off and all the screws out, all the time.

  2. Re:Why hasn't it been copied? by Snowfox · · Score: 2, Informative
    Why hasn't it been copied? Simple: Apple has a history of suing people for copying their desktop look+feel, so one can only assume they'd do the same for their case design. No-one would dare risk it.
    It's not just a suspicion. Apple has sued.
  3. Check out Dell by blankmange · · Score: 3, Informative
    In this month's Maximum PC, they tested a Dell rig that opens up like a clamshell. And I have also seen cases for DIY ( ExoticPC ) that have removable mobo trays that have back plane on them, so you don't have to remove your PCI/AGP cards.

    Keep looking, I am sure you'll find one in the right color -- if not, these guys Directron do custom painting of cases and bezels for your drives to match....

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  4. Lian Li by d_p · · Score: 4, Informative

    I have a Lian Li PC-60. http://www.lian-li.com/
    Its brushed aluminum, all thumbscrews. All of the interior edges have been de-burred, so there are no sharp edges. I have worked on a lot of crappy PC's in my life and this is by far the best case I have ever worked on.

  5. 1030 by BenTheDewpendent · · Score: 2, Informative

    I find the anatec 1030 has lots of room to work. Slides for the 5 1/4 bay and removable HD bays.
    a handle pops the side off it can be locked with a provided key.

  6. Re:Priorities by quinto2000 · · Score: 3, Informative

    I open my case frequently. To try out a new expansion card, to play around with Xinerama, to compare sound cards, to try out a free funky networking card, install a new hard drive, etc. Easy access is great. As it is, I leave the case open most of the time, destroying the airflow and getting dust in all of the components.

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