Special Review: Atomic wants your opinion on this case!
ITX cases aren't always in the forefront of the average Atomican's mind, but considering they pack pretty serious computing power into a teensy form factor they're definitely something that we're interested in.
When case manufacturer SEED contacted Atomic about possible feedback for their case, we figured we'd weigh in - but let the readers online throw their opinions into the fray as well.
Called the MA-280B, it's a brushed steel casing that has the capability to fit two 2.5" HDDs as well as a slimline 5.25" DVD drive.
Fitting into the ITX form factor obviously gives it a small footprint, made even smaller by the included upright stand, further shrunken by the internal DC>DC power supply fed by an external 60W power brick.
Looks-wise it is a mixed bag of incredibly finished brushed metal that seems strangely resistant to fingerprints, and glossy black fingerprint-magnet plastic.
It looks pretty serious all over, but strangely doesn't include a cover for if the case isn't being used with an optical drive, marring the look for those who hardly (if ever) need a physical drive.
Internally it can get pretty cramped, especially if two HDDs and a DVD drive are packed in with associated cabling, but being able to throw two 1TB 2.5" HDDs for a huge amount of storage in this kind of size is great.
Throw an ION-based dualcore Atom board in as well and you've got a HD-capable media centre the size of a gnat, built from sturdy steel and looking pretty darn stylish.
At least, that's what we think. SEED is looking for your feedback too, so head into the gallery of pictures and post all the good or bad points you can think of below - they'll be reading your responses, and working out the kinks in their design.
Update: This case will rock in at about $120 Australian, and considering all you get with it the value is pretty incredible. SEED are looking for a distie now, but hopefully all our mini-computing needs will be filled shortly.
Issue: 107 | December, 2009