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Topic: Cases
Product:
Aspire X-Plorer ATX Case
Provided By:
Aspire
Reviewer: Kevin Elliott
Date: May 07, 2005
The Aspire X-Plorer arrived packaged in the
standard cardboard carton used my by most case
manufactures, packing of the case was the
standard Styrofoam inserts over the ends of the
case. To protect the case from any rubbing
during transportation time the case is slid into
a Mylar shipping bag. To protect the side
panel window a piece of cling wrap plastic has
been applied to it. Overall the packaging of the
case is very well done and should guarantee that
your new case arrives in perfect shape.
The first impression of the case is that it is
made of aluminum and the weight of the case will
go even further in an attempt to convince you
other wise. The case is actually made from
a light gauge steel, not so light that the
overall strength of the case suffer but it is
light enough to reduce the weight to the point
when this case could be used as a LAN box.
The side panel window is held in place with 8
screws and this affords a very secure method of
fastening the window, the opening for the window
should allow an adequate view of the interior of
the case the interior lighting provided by the
LED fans as you can see later in the
photographs. Removal of the side panel is
accomplished after removing two thumbnail
screws, the opposite side requires the removal
of standard metal screws.
The design of the Aspire X-Plorer follows
Intel's
Chassis Air Guide Design Guide Lines and by
using them Aspire has added a 80mm duct that is
located on the side panel in such a location
that fresh air can be drawn directly into the
heat sink from outside the case. The duct
does include a filter to help reduce the amount
of dust and lint that might enter you case.
I like what Aspire has
done on the front of the case as far as
breaking from tradition and using acute
angles instead of straight line and right
angles, for example the multi-angle bottom
on the door adds a nice accent to the front
of the bezel which could not be achieved
with a standard design approach. Another
good example is the triangular shaped design
in the center of the case that holds the
temperature gauge, fan speed controller
(controls up 5-fans), 2-USB and 1-Firewire
port. This design is almost reminisced of
something from the art deco period If you
look closely at the lower portion of door
you can see that two small LED have been
placed their, one for power and the other
HHD Indicator.
The case we are reviewing did not come with a
power supply so don't let the picture confuse
you, we were just getting the case ready to run
some tests as when we received word that we
needed to re-shoot one or two photos. The rear
of the case is pretty run of the mill expect for
the fact that you can run a fans in 80mm, 92mm
and 120mm size. Additional cooling holes
have been added directly above the PCI/VGA
cards card slot hold downs as well, with today
video card getting as warm as they do all the
free outside air we can get coming back inside
the case for free is more than welcome.
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