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Case, Power Supply, Fan Reviews
  Product:     BeanTech BT-80 Clear Acrylic Computer Case  
  Price:     $278 (CAN) / $180 (U.S)
  Supplied By:     BeanTech International
  Author:     Hi-TEK
  Date:     January 13th, 2003
  Rating:     star star star star star star star star star 

BeanTech BT-80 Clear Acrylic Computer Case
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BeanTech BT-80 Clear Acrylic Computer Case
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Installation of a complete system into the BeanTech BT-80 Clear Acrylic Computer Case was very simple. For this review, I assembled a series of spare components which include an ABIT SE-6 Motherboard (PC133/ATA 100), Pentium III 800EB w/AeroCool Glacier HSF Cooler, 2 x 128 MB PC133 RAM, Seagate ST38641A 8GB Medalist ATA 100 Hard Drive, ABit Siluro MX400 AGP video card, and a 44X CDROM. The BT-80 does not use a traditional motherboard tray and this will not prevent the installation or regular system components.

BeanTech BT-80 Clear Acrylic Computer Case
Click image for larger view
BeanTech BT-80 Clear Acrylic Computer Case
Click image for larger view
 
The entire composition of the BT-80 is translucent which opens up a world of ideas for case modders. The design is perfect for adding an illuminated look and can be backlighted with standard LEDs, light tape, EL cable, neons or cold cathode tubes. For consumers looking to purchase this case or any type of acrylic enclosure it is important to address maintenance issues. The BT-80 was in my office for approximately 1 week and I immediately noticed that this product is a magnet for dust. If you have any concerns regarding dust there are some simple procedures that you should follow to maintain the BT-80's case appearance. First off, always use a non-abrasive soft cotton cloth with Lucite cleaner, Novus#1 Plastic Polish or a simple mixture of soap and water to remove finger prints and dust. Do not use ammonia based products, such as Windex which is known to cause clear acrylic to cloud over time. To remove minor scratches from the BT-80 or any other acrylic product, such as a window, I recommend using Novus#2 Scratch Remover. These products will gurantee that this case will last you a long time and keep this product maintenance free.
 
Conclusion:

BeanTech International has certainly made quite an impact with their introduction of a consumer based acrylic ATX case. The BT-80 Clear Acrylic Computer Case is a fantastic piece of engineering and there is certainly some stand out features, which makes this product different from the crowd. Consumers will appreciate the overall construction, which simplifies component installation, and at the same time provide adequate expansion room to handle any type of system configuration. The dual front USB ports and Firewire ports are a welcome addition and simplifies the process of attaching components such as digital cameras, camcorders, joysticks and scanners with ease. Accessing the internal chassis from either the left or right hand side is as simple as removing four screws. Air circulation is adequate but there is plenty of room in this case to add a secondary 80mm side intake fan or a 120mm top exhaust fan. While the BT-80 excels in some areas it also fails at two specific areas, which will certainly be problematic for anyone who purchases this case. The first problem lies with the PSU support panel that prohibits the use of dual fan PSU's. This can easily be remedied by offering a curved panel to accommodate the use of a secondary fan. The second problem with this case is the included ATX I/O shield and expansion slots. Both areas have been specifically designed to keep the overall universal theme of the case. By using 1 mm thin acrylic this opens the door to damage and cracking since both areas are extremely fragile. The ATX I/O shield can be easily replaced with a stock metal alternative which is packaged with most motherboards but the expansion slots is something that will need to be addressed since it is not easily repairable or replaceable. Aside from a few minor issues, I'm rating this case a final score of 9 out of 10. I would definately recommend this case for those individuals that want a well design acrylic enclosure with great aesthetics and plenty of modding potential. If you have any questions regarding this review be sure to visit the BeanTech International website for more information or discuss them in our forums.

Thumbs Up! Pros:
  • Aesthetically pleasing and stylish design
  • Front USB and Firewire ports
  • The unit is pre-assembled
  • Accomodates system component installation with ease
  • 11 accessible drive bays
  • Adequate cooling options
  • Includes three stock clear bladded 80mm fans
Thumbs Down! Cons:
  • PSU support panel obstructs vents and dual PSU fan installation
  • ATX I/O and expansion slots are prone to damage
  • Acrylic scratches easily and requires regular maintenance
  • Stamped fan grills
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