|
|
 |
|
Product:
|
MTB Exclusive: TurboCase X-Dreamer Mid-Tower Case |
|
Price:
|
$94 (CAN) / $64 (U.S)
|
|
Supplied By:
|
Aspire International Corp
|
|
Author:
|
Shennon
|
|
Date:
|
March 15th, 2003
|
|
Rating:
|
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
Lockable front bezel
|
|
One of the standout features of the TurboCase X-Dreamer case is the inclusion of stealth bay covers
similar to the design MTB Labs first noticed in the Nikao Eclipse Case
and Platinum XP Case. The stealth bay covers give the
case a uniformed look when used, but are not mandatory. To use the stealth drive faces, you first must
remove your CD/DVD-ROM faceplates. The stealth bay covers include a chrome plastic CD/DVD-ROM button
which will reach the original drive's own eject button. The use of this design may pose a problem for
those who have a slot loading drive. The TurboCase X-Dreamer provides a total of four extenal 5.25"
drive bays which are ready for use.
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
Click image for larger view
|
|
Underneath the external 5.25" drive bays are two external 3.5" floppy drive bays. The floppy drive bay
covers utilize the same stealth mechanism as the 5.25" drive bay covers and is also integrated into
the front bezel. The floppy drive is inserted from behind the drive bay plate for access. Consumers
should note that this may pose a problem for a few individuals with floppy drives which have hinged
doors attached to the front bezel and not to the unit itself. Another downside to the integrated
floppy drive face is that the doors on most floppy drives are beige or white, and must be dyed or
painted to match the colour scheme.
Like the Platinum XP case previously reviewed at MTB, the TurboCase X-Dreamer case features a similar
front functional emblem. The emblem has an integrated power button, reset button, Power LED and
HD LED. The center portion of the emblem has an temperature LCD display which lights up bright blue
when powered. All temperature readings and monitoring data is available in in Fahrenheit and it would
have been nice to see support for Celsius based readings as well.
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
X-Dreamer plastic chrome thumbscrews
|
|
The lower portion of the TurboCase X-Dreamer features a drop down door that has two USB 2.0 ports,
microphone and a headphone jack. Absent from the configuration is support for Firewire 1394, but
eager case modders can easily add one in if desired. The ports are connected via a series of extender
cables which reside inside the case and must be connected to the appropriate components prior to use.
Above the drop down door is a series of intake holes drilled through an acrylic panel and plastic
bezel. The ventilation holes help draw in the appropriate amount of air to cool the internal hard drives
and case interior. On the left and right hand sides of the front bezel are six chrome plastic slot screw
heads, three per side. These help hold the front acrylic panel in place and adds to the ornamentation.
Removal of these plastic chrome thumbscrews must be done from behind the front bezel by un-screwing a
series of self-tapping Phillips head screws.
|
|
|
|
|
|
