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CES: IN WIN Displays Costly but Beautiful Computer Cases (Video)

Posted by Roblimo on from the out-of-our-price-range-but-cute dept.

This video shows a computer case that's "pretty expensive," says Timothy Lord. "It's over $300. On the other hand, it is beautiful." The manufacturer, Taiwan-based IN WIN, has put a $399 MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) tag on their top-of-the-line "limited edition" computer cases. Wow. Most of us probably won't buy one of these, considering that low-cost mid-tower cases can be had for $30, and the entire computer used to edit this video cost $399 (with the addition of some RAM and a better video card). But there is a market for Lamborghinis, and there is a market for computer cases that cost as much as a complete low-end computer. And CES (annoying sounds if you click the link) is a great place to look at them even if you don't really need a computer case that costs more than a minimum wage worker's entire weekly paycheck.

16 of 141 comments (clear)

  1. Not really like a Lamborghini by coldsalmon · · Score: 4, Insightful

    More like a Lamborghini replica kit. It looks cool (or horrible, depending on your aesthetics), but it doesn't actually help you go faster.

  2. Reusable... by jythie · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I am actually a bit surprised people are not willing to pay more for cases, since it is one of the few parts in a computer that can be reused after many upgrades.

    1. Re:Reusable... by RobbieCrash · · Score: 3, Informative

      http://www.murderbox.com/

      $1,200 dear god is it beautiful.

      --
      Keep on knockin'
      https://robbiecrash.me
    2. Re:Reusable... by hab136 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Wood is terrible for heat dissipation and blocking electromagnetic interference. There's a reason we use aluminum.

    3. Re:Reusable... by geekoid · · Score: 2

      Sure it is.
      Reading upon it, it is really, really well designed. Good industrial designers are hard to find and not cheap.

      I wouldn't pay 1200 dollars, but then I wouldn't spend 250K for a Ferrari. Doesn't mean it's not worth it.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  3. Beautiful?!? by Lluc · · Score: 3, Insightful

    A beautiful case is one that is small enough to escape notice, quiet enough so that is is effectively silent, or well engineered enough to allow easy construction or 10 hard drive bays in a small volume. How many people really want a bright orange monstrosity on or under their desk that screams, "LOVE CHILD OF A COMPUTER AND AN ERECTOR SET!!"?

    1. Re:Beautiful?!? by pixelpusher220 · · Score: 5, Funny

      How many people really want a bright orange monstrosity on or under their desk that screams, "LOVE CHILD OF A COMPUTER AND AN ERECTOR SET!!"?

      Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to...

      --
      People in cars cause accidents....accidents in cars cause people :-D
  4. Re:Defend yourself against sneaky behavior. by Mashiki · · Score: 2

    Out of aluminum? Maybe from Lian Li, but the price has gone up and I think their cheapest cases are going for around $70-80/pop these days for their decent mid-tower cases and you don't have to worry about sharp edges or anything. A bunch of their stuff is on clearance right now now too, so you can get some pretty good discounts. Otherwise cooler master if you don't mind steel cases, they round out all the edges and nothing is sharp. Even on their cheapest cases.

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    Om, nomnomnom...
  5. Do people really buy 30$ cases anymore? by hypergreatthing · · Score: 5, Interesting

    From a person who builds his computers still from components instead of ordering from prebuilt systems, I used to buy the lowest cost cases. After many a times where the cases were made shoddy, sharp edges, bays that had screw holes that didn't line up, etc, i opted to try out the more expensive cases (70-120$) and boy was i impressed. Anyone who's had to deal with the no brand name cases, and then put together a antec p182 or antec 900 is in a world of difference. Cable management, fan filters, vibration gromits, extra airflow from properly designed and positioned case fans, etc. Not to mention they use thumbscrews as much as possible, are pleasing to look at, come with extra cables. My own p183 came with a special ssd bay when ssds were just started to be made and getting popular.
    Sure it's a niche market and artsy cases aren't usually worth it, but don't knock well made cases that are reasonable until you actually put together computers and experience the difference.

  6. They know their market by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sarah: It sells for like crazy user and actually the MSRP is like $399.

    I thought it was funny that she said it was only for people who are crazy. In other words, they have too much money on their hands.

  7. 13 year old Ripof by citizenr · · Score: 4, Funny

    http://www.envador.com/cases/PVCII/

    --
    Who logs in to gdm? Not I, said the duck.
  8. As someone who has bought $300+ cases... by PhrostyMcByte · · Score: 2

    I think this looks like a pretty terrible one. First, I'm not looking for an Ikea case. if I build it myself, I expect it to be customizable -- I should be able to piece together various parts like an erector set to build something unique and perfect for the parts I put inside, not have only a single design. What's the point?

    Second, an open-air case sounds like a bad idea. There's going to be no control over airflow here so despite what the woman in the video says, I think cooling will probably actually be worse. Being open-air also means it's going to be a lot louder when your GPU or HDDs start going. As someone who once had cases full of ridiculously noisy high-speed fans, I now cherish a silent PC above all else.

    The next case I get will probably cost $200+, but I'll end up using it for 10 years like I have my current one.

    1. Re:As someone who has bought $300+ cases... by dow · · Score: 2

      I thought that with my last case purchase, a Corsair 800D. I do love the case but now I'm thinking I would quite like to attend a LAN event or two at some point, and this thing is huge and weighs a ton. Just taking it out to the workshop to blast the dust out a few times a year is enough to make me think an aluminium or even plastic case might be a better idea. Maybe something slightly smaller too. It does look the part sitting under the desk mind, and has brilliant cable management and has to be the easiest case I've ever had the pleasure of building with.

      My previous case lasted over ten years, kinda... I made another build in a cheap case and there wasn't the space to run two graphics cards, as the gfx power cables and the hard disks clashed. I reverted to the old AT tower from the 90's for a while, which I painted black and blue from its old beige that was yellowing. I have no problem paying many times the cost of the cheapest cases... I don't consider myself crazy. I don't think she meant to say crazy. We are enthusiasts and to some it might seem crazy but to us it's a sense of pride and enjoyment to own such a product.

      I can't help but think that sort of case would garner a lot more respect if it was one the owner had designed and built themselves rather than just have bought and built it, but there would still be a fair amount of kudos to anyone that did buy it; just as a demonstration that their PC means more to them than just a tool to access Facebook.

  9. Re:Still Waiting by dreold · · Score: 2
    Take a look at the LianLi Q25B or the Bitfenix Prodigy

    I have used both and am quite impressed.
    The Bitfenix is a bit "cheaper" feeling than the LianLi, but better for CPUs needing better cooling.

    Agree on the PSU, though.

  10. One small difference... by BumpyCarrot · · Score: 2

    I'd bet money that a Lamborghini has gotten SOMEONE laid.

    --
    Do you see what I did there?
  11. They're just better... somehow... by wcrowe · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, they are expensive, but the bits processed by these cases are warmer. True computerophiles can detect this.

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    Proverbs 21:19