In the past I've reviewed several aluminum cases, that, while being mid-towers, were perfect for LAN systems, some even good enough for one's main system. However, while some of them may have been of quality construction, because of the lightweight materials used they fell short of the sturdiness of a well-made steel chassis. Because of this, many people still fall back to a steel case when they require strength and durability - despite the pains associated with the weight. There are just some situations where hardiness is put above all.
One such situation is seen in the entry-level server market. Such systems probably won't be physically moved too often; their main requirements are of a different nature. In addition to being of sound construction, they must also provide quick and easy access, in case an administrator or technician must perform a hardware upgrade or switch due to a component failure, in order to minimize downtime. Additionally, because entry-level servers can typically house dual-CPU systems with multiple HDDs, these cases must be able to provide adequate cooling and proper airflow to ensure proper operation of critical services. In short, the quality of these cases lies in their ability not to dazzle, but to perform a case's most basic functions in the best possible manner.
Read the full review at Virtual-Hideout.net
Jul 7, 2003, 02:45 PM
