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Product:
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Kool Cases Condor Aluminum Mid-Tower Case |
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Price:
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$135 (CAN) / $85 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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Kool Cases
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Author:
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Hi-TEK
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Date:
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August 7th, 2002
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Rating:
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MODTHEBOX would like to thank Ed from Kool Cases
for providing the Condor Aluminum Mid-Tower Case for review.
Introduction:
Aluminum case enclosures have made a huge impact with computer enthusiasts due to the nature of their aesthetic design
and cooling properties. Lian Li was one of the first companies to successfully market a mid-tower based aluminum case
known as the PC-60 to the North American market. What made the PC-60 so special was that it deviated from the standard
offering of steel and beige cases that most users love to hate. It opened our eyes to the notion that a computer system
could perform well and look cool at the same time. One of the downsides to aluminum based cases is the cost factor
involved; the average mid-tower enclosure is now priced at $150 (U.S). Recently, here at MTB we have been showcasing
a few economic based case enclosures that rival the more expensive cases but cost half the price. Today in the MTB Labs,
we will be evaluating the Kool Cases Condor Mid-Tower Case, an aluminum based case enclosure which includes a factory
installed window.
Specifications:
The specifications of the Condor are simular to that of your classic mid-tower case and is generally suited for
systems which require mid-level expansion room. The case comes pre-assembled with all the components necessary for a
computer system installation. Here are some of the specifications taken directly from the Kool Cases website:
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Condor Aluminum Mid-Tower Case - Key Specifications:
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| Condor Aluminum Mid-Tower Case: Distributed by Kool Cases |
| Case Dimensions: 16.5" (H) x 8" (W) x 19" (D) |
| Drive Bays: 7 (4 x external 5.25", 2 x external 3.5", 1 x internal 3.5") |
| Expansion Slots: 7 |
| Fans Included: 1 x 80mm front, 1 x 80mm rear, 1 x 80mm side |
| Universal ATX I/O Shield included |
| Form Factor: Supports all Flex, Micro, Full ATX motherboards (max motherboard size: 12" x 10") |
| Intel P4 and AMD XP/MP compatible |
| Tool-less side panels with thumbscrews |
| EMI protective shielding |
| Built in 2 front USB port connectors |
| Hand-Cutting free aluminum |
| Special Features: Includes factory installed window |
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The Condor Aluminum Mid-Tower Case was shipped in a standard double-walled corrugated cardboard box with the case
manufacturer's logos printed on all sides. For those of you who are not familar with the "Eagle" brand name, the
original manfacturer for this case is Skyhawk USA.
The case was sealed in protected plastic with 2 pieces of polystyrene located on top and bottom of the case. After a
quick inspection, I noted that the case arrived in excellent condition.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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My first impressions of the Condor Aluminum Mid-Tower Case after removing the packaging were very positive and slightly
mixed. The advertisement of an aluminum based case is partly true; in fact the only part that is not aluminum based is
the front bezel and drive panels. The front bezel is made of plastic which has been painted aluminum to colour match the
rest of the case. I did notice that there were a series of white finger print marks all over the front bezel, which I
attempted to clean prior to photographing this case. The Condor Aluminum Mid-Tower Case measures 16.5" (H) x 8" (W) x
19" (D) and is suitable for all Flex, Micro, and Full ATX form factors with a maximum motherboard size of 12" x 10".
One of the highlights of this particular model is that it comes assembled with a factory installed window. The design on
the side panel window is quite unique and adds to the overall attractiveness of the case. The window is held together
by a series of bolts and screws which can be removed from inside the case.
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