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Product:
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ClearPC "Secret Agent" Briefcase |
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Price:
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$195.95 (CAN) / $149.95 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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ClearPC
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Author:
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Hi-TEK
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Date:
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March 4th, 2004
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Rating:
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MODTHEBOX would like to thank Frank from ClearPC
for providing the ClearPC "Secret Agent" Briefcase for review.
Introduction:
Acrylic computer enclosures have gained in popularity over the past few years by offering case modders an
alternative for showcasing their custom rigs. In the past where assembling or building your own custom acrylic
case required months of planning and sourcing material, this process has been simplified with a number of
different offerings from a wide variety of case manufacturers. One is the biggest challenges for most manufacturers
is coming up with a unique design that will appeal to consumers worldwide. ClearPC based out of Victoria, B.C.
has established a solid reputation as one of the first Canadian based businesses to specialize in
designing and manufacturing its own brand of consumer based acrylic cases. Capitalizing on the success of the
original ClearPC, the company has expanded its product line to include a brand new acrylic enclosure designed
specifically for the gaming market. Today in the MTB Labs, we will be evaluating the ClearPC "Secret Agent" Briefcase,
the world's first acrylic briefcase enclosure designed exclusively for the Micro-ATX and ATX platform.
Specifications:
The ClearPC "Secret Agent" Briefcase is the one of several different acrylic enclosures offered on the
ClearPC website. The original ClearPC was based on a mid-tower configuration and was able to accommodate
an assortment of system configurations. The ClearPC "Secret Agent" Briefcase utilizes some of the same
attributes but is approximately 50% smaller than the original design. Here are some of the case specifications
taken directly from the ClearPC website:
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ClearPC "Secret Agent" Briefcase - Key Specifications:
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| ClearPC "Secret Agent" Briefcase: Manufactured by ClearPC |
| Case Dimensions: 6 1/4" (W) x 14 1/4" (H) x 18" (L) |
| Drive Bays: 4 (2 x 5.25 external, 2 x 3.5 internal) |
| Expansion Slots: 7 |
| Chassis: 3/16" & 3/8" Cast Clear Lucite |
| Form Factors: Micro ATX and Full ATX |
| Fans: 5 (2 x 40mm rear exhaust, 2 x 40mm HDD and 1 x 120mm side intake) |
| Power Supply: None included |
| Side mounted dual USB 2.0, Firewire and one set Audio/Microphone/Line-in jacks |
| Special Features: Pre-assembled and includes all mounting screws and cables |
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The ClearPC "Secret Agent" Briefcase was shipped in a standard double-walled corrugated box with the case
manufacturer's logos printed on the top portion of the package. Packaging inside the box was good, with the
unit itself enclosed in plastic protective wrap surrounded by a good portion of polystyrene peanuts.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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Out of the box, the ClearPC "Secret Agent" Briefcase is very well constructed and manufactured using
3/16" and 3/8" clear cast Lucite. The premise and purpose for this particular unique design is to provide a
portable LAN based rig that can use standard mATX and Full ATX motherboard formats. The structural integrity
of the Lucite is impressive and the focus of this particular case follows the same principles as previous
ClearPC acrylic designs. The case measures approximately 6 1/4" (W) x 14 1/4" (H) x 18" (L) and is very
light weight in its default form without any computer components installed. The ClearPC "Secret Agent"
Briefcase includes an assortment of mounting screws and accessories which included the following:
- 1 x Aluminum capped Power switch
- 1 x Aluminum capped Reset switch
- 9 x 3/8" 6-32 moutherboard mounting screws
- 8 x 1/4" 6-32 HDD mounting thumbscrews
- 7 x PCI slot covers and 1/4" 6-32 thumbscrews
- 2 x 5mm Blue LEDs
- 8 x 1/2" 4-40 CDROM drive screws
- 4 x 3/8" 6-32 Power Supply screws
- 16 x 1 1/4" 6-32 fan screws
- 2 x Acrylic Bay covers with 1/2" 6-32 mounting screws
The ClearPC "Secret Agent" Briefcase also includes a handy
2-page reference sheet
which details the order priority for the installation of system components. Due to the nature of the
design, specific components must be mounted first prior to mounting a mATX or ATX motherboard.
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