Friday February 10, 2012 5:32 AM AEST
First Look

Inwin Maelstrom

By Justin Robinson
13:07 Aug 31, 2009 | 14 Comments
Tags: Inwin | Maelstrom | pc | case
Inwin Maelstrom
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Inwin's Maelstrom case churns up a storm.

PC cases have been bestowed with a great many names over the years and while Inwin has had some oddities (such as the awkward B2 Stealth Bomber), their latest case is perhaps a step in the right direction.

A maelstrom is essentially a violent and powerful whirlpool, which seems to suit this case just fine - many features in here are as helpful as others are useless.

The two green handles on the fascia are impressively stylish, but can bear no weight load thanks to their plastic construction.

Large sidepanel fan plus three other twelve centimetre fans push a lot of air, but only one of these is filtered, leaving most of the case wide open to dust.

Inwin's Maelstrom is a bit of a mixed bag; so jump into the gallery of pics to see more, check out an upcoming Issue of the mag for the full review, and post below with your opinions.

 

 
Product Info
Specs:
225 x 550 x 600mm (W x H x D); 1 x 120mm LED Fan (front); 1 x 120mm LED Fan (top); 1 x 120mm LED Fan (rear); 1 x 220mm LED Fan (side); 4 x 5.25in drive bay (external); 1 x 3.5in drive bay (external); 6 x 3.5in drive bay (internal)); E-ATX, ATX, M-ATX; SECC Steel with meshed panel.
Supplier:
Price when reviewed:
AUD$215
price check*
$186.00 INWIN MAELSTROM ATX GAMING FULL TOWER MAELSTROM
I-Tech (NSW)
$187.55 INWIN MAELSTROM EATX FULL TOWER BLACK W/OUT PS
Compello Mobile and Wireless (NSW, VIC, WA)
$191.00 InWin MAELSTROM CASE ONLY
Computer Online (NSW)
*Products and prices sourced from staticICE and are in no way associated with Atomic MPC Powered by
 
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14 Comments
grimninja
Aug 31, 2009 1:39 PM
First thing that comes to mind is... 'I dont like it' It just looks rather childish for some reason and i have a odd feeling its just gunna be a dodge product... cmon if u make a handle atleast make it so u can use it or otherwise its just waste of material... and i wouldnt say those handle look the greatest especially at the from of the case...
A Hitman
Aug 31, 2009 1:58 PM
+1, would of been great a few years ago but these cases with bright parts seem out of date now.
qwakqwak
Aug 31, 2009 3:48 PM
i'm not sure if i like this case or not...
tunksy
Aug 31, 2009 3:56 PM
ditto
ddoctor
Aug 31, 2009 4:16 PM
Looks like rubbish. Lian-Li or Antec for me.
broke123
Aug 31, 2009 5:54 PM
i like the look of it.. but not enough to get rid of my Antec 1200
grimninja
Aug 31, 2009 6:14 PM
I pretty know wat case i want next. The new cosair case obsident or something.
Tezlin
Aug 31, 2009 6:23 PM
It looks good, but that's about it. :\
InKiMo
Aug 31, 2009 6:24 PM
I agree with you grimninja. whole thing just seem Pox. I'll stick with me Antec p182.
tunksy
Aug 31, 2009 6:24 PM
actually on second look the front of the case reminds me of the old dell xps facia
MagnumXY
Aug 31, 2009 7:00 PM
i known it looks terrible but it looks like it has some quite nice features
Argotha
Sep 1, 2009 9:25 AM
Some parts look good. Some just look plain horrible. So many cases with good features but with some really bad ones too. Guess I'll fork out $400 for a lian li.
the_13th
Sep 1, 2009 10:16 AM
It looks... ummm... I think interesting is the best word. I can't say that I like it, I dont NOT like it either.. Its just interesting, looks far too cheap for my liking tho. I mean a cheap case is fine but this LOOKS cheap. there's a difference
Tezlin
Sep 1, 2009 5:01 PM
the_13th, if you want an interesting case, go for the Bulldozer that was reviewed a little earlier back. ;0
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Issue: 133 | February, 2012

Atomic is a magazine aimed squarely at computer enthusiasts, gamers, and serious PC upgraders.

Every month we bring you the latest reviews of new technology and PC components, in depth features on everything from overclocking to console hacking, and gaming previews and interviews.
 
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