Topic: Computer Cases
Date: October 8,2004
Product: Chenbro Xpider II
Provided by: Chenbro
Author: Kevin Elliott

About Chenbro:

Established in 1983, Chenbro Micom Co., Ltd. has been specializing in the development of IT products, with the core business focus on PC case, Server case and Rack mount case. Under our motto of competing with tomorrow, we rate highly on the research and development of products, quality improvement and equipment upgrade. This guides us to constant technical breakthrough in face of the changes in time and trend. As a result, our corporation grows and expands. In 2001, our total sales revenue reached US$50 million. We set up offices in North America, Europe, Mainland China and Japan, with a team of 700 servicing staff all over the world.

Product innovation and invention has always been our dynamic brand's essence. We invented the world's first tower pc, as well as the removable M/B tray, which is easy for maintenance. Besides, Chenbro is the business partner of the world's famous hi-tech manufacturers, such as Intel, Dell and IBM, etc. One of the successful projects includes working with Intel on the DP Xeon reference system design & SSI spec. initiative. In 2000, Chenbro actively extended the service scope to invest US$1 million in the construction of RAPID PROTOTYPING. Furthermore, we plan to establish a Thermo Lab. and Acoustic Lab. in the year 2002. Chenbro's high insistence in the technical reformation, and the full-scope service provision applies to its steadfast leadership position within the IT field.

From the past to the present

If you do much shopping for cases on any of the popular on-line shopping web sites you have surely seen the original Xpider case for sale. As a matter of fact the price recently has been reduced so much that I picked up my third unit, that should give you a pretty good indication of how much I like the design. When a friend asked me recently why I would want 3 cases that look alike I told him there were actually a number of reasons why I liked the original Gaming Bomb case. Since he was drinking my beer at the time he was pretty much a captive audience so I began to explain to him what I am about to tell you.

To start off, did you know that Chenbro is probably the largest case manufacturer for some of the largest computer companies in the world?  Names like Dell and Intel to mention just a couple to start with, this tells me one thing, they know how to build a case. The next thing that I liked about the Xpider was the unique look of the case. It was entirely different than anything available at the time and it still has a look that makes it stand out in a crowd.

Next up would be the cooling aspect of the case, I have the option of running a 120mm fan in the front and rear of the case without the need to modify it. Then there is the ease of mounting drives in the Xpider, it uses slide in rails and therefore no screwdriver is needed. The same thing for your video card or any PCI card you install, you can lock them in place with the flip of a cam lock. And finally the ease with which the side panel can be removed and the fact that it has a great lock to secure it in place.

Now don't get me wrong the original Xpider was not without faults. There were things like certain drives not matching up well with the front bezel and ending up with a very ugly .25" gap between the bezel and the drive. The big one in my book was the lack of a reset button, I added one in the hidden compartment that houses the USB and speaker/headphone connectors at the bottom of the bezel.

So now the question remains to be answered whether Chenbro has made the needed changes to the Xpider II to make it a perfect replacement for the original Xpider or is it just a revamped Xpider with a facelift. Well lets find out.

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The Highlights

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