• Bitfenix releases a computer case meant for the living room
    58 replies, posted
[quote] [img]http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/articles/2014/09/18054846863l.png[/img] [thumb]http://www.sweclockers.com/image/red/2014/09/18/Pandora_product_presentation_Page_03.jpg?t=articleFull&k=23c89cdf[/thumb] [thumb]http://www.sweclockers.com/image/red/2014/09/18/Pandora_product_presentation_Page_05.jpg?t=articleFull&k=a3031da1[/thumb] After a first peak of the case during Computex 2014, Bitfenix now releases "Pandora", which despite being relatively compact, has room for a 240mm radiator and double graphics cards. While Valve's Steam-Machines concept lingers, case designers are in full swing creating compact cases meant to blend into a living room environment. During Computex 2014, the Taiwan-based company Bitfenix showed one of their first prototypes of their Pandora case, which has now reached gold and is ready to be delivered. It features a programmable display in the front, which by default displays Bitfenix's logotype. The idea is to let the user personalize their case, by letting them put any image of their choice onto the display, which is done through a simple Drag & Drop interface. [thumb]http://www.sweclockers.com/image/red/2014/09/18/Pandora_product_presentation_Page_04.jpg?t=articleFull&k=e8759105[/thumb] The side panels of the case are made out of brushed aluminium, which encloses around it's black frame. The case measures 160 x 420 x 465 mm, and is therefore bigger than it's competitors, something which Bitfenix means is to allow beefier hardware on the inside. Space for air cooled CPU-solutions is limited by physical reasons, and instead the possibility to install a water cooler with a 240mm radiator is highlighted. The case supports motherboards up to the m-ATX form factor (244 x 244 mm), and when it comes to expansion cards, it has enough space for up to two 350 mm cards, which means two of more or less every graphics card on the market. It also allows for power supplies up to 180mm long, which is accompanied by what is said to be good cable-management possibilities. When it comes to storage units, there will be space for up to two 3,5" drives, and up to three 2,5" drives. Other features that are mentioned include pre-installed standoffs, quick-hitched side panels, and magnetic dust filters. The pandora will come in three versions; one with a window in the sidepanel, and one without the window. The third version will be slightly cheaper, and will lack the programmable display. The case is expected to hit the shelves in november. [/quote] Sources: [url]http://www.overclock3d.net/articles/cases_cooling/bitfenix_pandora/1[/url] [url]http://www.sweclockers.com/nyhet/19342-bitfenix-slapper-pandora-for-vardagsrummet[/url] Now, I've done quite a bit of Googling, but I can't find any confirmed prices anywhere. The Sweclockers article does mention that the display versions will cost about 1300 SEK (182 USD), while the ones without the display will cost 1100 SEK (154 USD). But seeing as everything in Sweden is a lot more expensive than it is in the US, I'm guessing the display versions will cost closer to ~ 140 dollars, while the non-display versions will cost ~ 120 dollars.
i wouldn't want that in my livingroom
Why is this meant for the living room? Looks like any other computer case.
[QUOTE=.Lain;46012133]i wouldn't want that in my livingroom[/QUOTE] Well, if you lay it down, I'd say it looks a lot better than, for example, an X360, at least It should be a lot more compact, though
Call me cheap but no matter what kind of economical situation am I going to be in, I see nothing wrong with having this in my living room. The one single design issue I have with it is the kinda tacky logo on the front, and I could easily remove it or cover that up. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Nv0Bjhq.jpg[/IMG] I bought a single extra $5 20cm fan for it, and it keeps my i5 and 760 both at under 45 degrees C, while practically silent, when there's 30 degrees air C in the room. It cost me bloody $50 with tax. Even if I get filthy damn rich, I won't ever spend over $100 on a PC case.
[QUOTE=Sungrazer;46012159]Why is this meant for the living room? Looks like any other computer case.[/QUOTE] I guess the general idea behind it is a more 'friendly' looking pc case. As when a lot of people think of built pc's they think of these monster cases with hard edges and lines everywhere, dark coloration, neon lighting, and generally more aggressive look to make it look cooler. When usually those cases are just riced out over priced things usually. This is more curvy and would fit in more easily into a living room type setting. This thing vaguely reminds me of corsair's 600t case. Just vaguely though.
[QUOTE=Viva;46012195]I guess the general idea behind it is a more 'friendly' looking pc case. As when a lot of people think of built pc's they think of these monster cases with hard edges and lines everywhere, dark coloration, neon lighting, and generally more aggressive look to make it look cooler. When usually those cases are just riced out over priced things usually. This is more curvy and would fit in more easily into a living room type setting. This thing vaguely reminds me of corsair's 600t case. Just vaguely though.[/QUOTE] Maybe I am weird but I am fine with my PC looking like a PC, rather than like a toaster.
What's this Bitfenix company and why should I care about them Also if I wanted a PC in my living room I'd just build some mini-ITX media PC thing
if people don't walk into your room and feel emasculated by your mighty obelisk of a computer you're doing something wrong
People would've taken it a lot more serious if they'd have just labeled it a 'premium cosmetic computer case' (or something along those lines) like it actually just is.
[QUOTE=Awesomecaek;46012205]Maybe I am weird but I am fine with my PC looking like a PC, rather than like a toaster.[/QUOTE] I think it's sort of an age thing at a point. When i was younger i wanted these badass cases, with shit everything and bright neon lights everywhere, on the fan on the side view window. My case needed to look cool. Then as i grew older i got away from wanting some flashy thing to instead wanting something that looked more mature but still had a cool edge to it. That's why i quite like my Antec 1200, minus all the lighting everywhere. This thing looks more like a server enclosure at times.
[QUOTE=Viva;46012243]I think it's sort of an age thing at a point. When i was younger i wanted these badass cases, with shit everything and bright neon lights everywhere, on the fan on the side view window. My case needed to look cool. Then as i grew older i got away from wanting some flashy thing to instead wanting something that looked more mature but still had a cool edge to it. That's why i quite like my Antec 1200, minus all the lighting everywhere. This thing looks more like a server enclosure at times.[/QUOTE] I don't need the case to look "cool", I need it to work and not be outright ugly. The case they are offering looks alright but not worth three times of what a normal case does, to me.
If you want a fucking start trek living room
Aside from a gaming library from Steam, why would someone have a computer set up just for their living room? Why not get a game console at that point?
[QUOTE=Viva;46012243]I think it's sort of an age thing at a point. When i was younger i wanted these badass cases, with shit everything and bright neon lights everywhere, on the fan on the side view window. My case needed to look cool. Then as i grew older i got away from wanting some flashy thing to instead wanting something that looked more mature but still had a cool edge to it. That's why i quite like my Antec 1200, minus all the lighting everywhere. This thing looks more like a server enclosure at times.[/QUOTE] My first case had blue light up horns on the front.
I use to have a BitFenix Ghost by my TV stand and when ever people came into my room they never even noticed it, even with the (optional) LEDs on the bottom. It looks much nicer and cleaner than this case. [t]http://hothardware.com/newsimages/Item22515/bitfenix-ghost-main.jpg[/t]
[QUOTE=LegndNikko;46012284]Aside from a gaming library from Steam, why would someone have a computer set up just for their living room? Why not get a game console at that point?[/QUOTE] Well, some people have their PC in their living room, as they like the couch + controller aspect that a console gives, while still wanting the freedoms and possibilities that a PC provides Some may also appreciate the idea of a sort of centralized entertainment system which does everything
I think a black box makes for an allright design per se. If I had a pc in my livingroom I'd just make sure that the fans are as silent as possible, my current old hunk of junk sounds like a goddamn hoover I'd be ashamed of showing it to anyone. [editline]18th September 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=LegndNikko;46012284]Aside from a gaming library from Steam, why would someone have a computer set up just for their living room? Why not get a game console at that point?[/QUOTE] VPN + netflix where it is not available elsehow.
[QUOTE=Sungrazer;46012159]Why is this meant for the living room? Looks like any other computer case.[/QUOTE] If you were going to make a Living room PC, you're way better off going with a proper HTPC case [t]http://www.mwave.com.au/images/400/16010414.jpg[/t] [t]http://mediaserver.olygraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mon-320b-large.jpg[/t] They fit in to a living room way more than some curvy tower you have to stand up beside the cabinet
[QUOTE=LegndNikko;46012284]Aside from a gaming library from Steam, why would someone have a computer set up just for their living room? Why not get a game console at that point?[/QUOTE] people use PCs in their living room as media centers. people also mod the original xbox to be that too [editline]18th September 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=kaze4159;46012429] [t]http://mediaserver.olygraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mon-320b-large.jpg[/t] [/QUOTE] if thats a pc case, that would fit in a living room more than the one in the OP looks like a old DVD player from like 2002 [t]http://surplusandparts.com/images/GE_GE1101PA.jpg[/t]
[QUOTE=kaze4159;46012429]If you were going to make a Living room PC, you're way better off going with a proper HTPC case [t]http://www.mwave.com.au/images/400/16010414.jpg[/t] [t]http://mediaserver.olygraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mon-320b-large.jpg[/t] They fit in to a living room way more than some curvy tower you have to stand up beside the cabinet[/QUOTE] b-b-but that looks like home stereo equipment, HOW WILL PEOPLE KNOW IT'S A PC? Seriously though, these are the most practical things imo for living room pc's.
$120? I'm planning to build a cheaper PC, console size, APU was looking at is $180, No way I am going to buy a case for that cost only $60 less than an APU.
I use HTPC cases because I have a receiver, a two subwoofer amps and Bluray player that are all standard component form factor, and fit nicely under my TV, or in my room in my component shelves. I'd never want a full/mid-ATX for a media computer, that just seems ridiculous. I use a silverstone HTPC case because I wanted something with a metal face, small as possible while still having some flexibility, and cheap because I built three of them. [t]http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/silverstone-ml03b-100054411-orig.jpg[/t]
i actually have a bitfenix case for my PC right here since i don't know anything about cases, i'm guessing it's okay
[QUOTE=Ajacks;46012577] I'd never want a full/mid-ATX for a media computer, that just seems ridiculous. [/QUOTE] To be fair, the case in the OP is not meant for a media system, it's supposed to house a high-end system. Although in my opinion, a case like the Fractal Design Node 304 would be a lot better for this: [t]http://www.inet.se/files/img/max/6909777_0.png[/t] [t]http://www.inet.se/files/img/max/6909777_2.png[/t] Fairly sleek, and a lot smaller. The Pandora's basically just a curved mid-tower case
only this style will do: [img]http://www.lussorian.com/uploads/images/Aerodyne_1_-lussorian.jpg[/img]
It's ugly. And that programmable faceplate is extra faff and bother that I don't feel needs to be on the case. But then again I'm one of those rare PC Gamers that think the star of the show should [b]not[/b] be the computer itself, but what it's doing on screen, so I go for the most boring, unassuming cases I can find. My $30 Rosewill case has been doing a wonderful job for me for a few years now. [editline]18th September 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=Makol;46012294]I use to have a BitFenix Ghost by my TV stand and when ever people came into my room they never even noticed it, even with the (optional) LEDs on the bottom. I looks much nicer and cleaner than this case. [t]http://hothardware.com/newsimages/Item22515/bitfenix-ghost-main.jpg[/t][/QUOTE] Mm, now that's a nice case. Simple, unobtrusive, doesn't distract anyone to the hardware.
[QUOTE=AK'z;46013335]only this style will do: [img]http://www.lussorian.com/uploads/images/Aerodyne_1_-lussorian.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] [img_thumb]https://i.imgur.com/VQBHLoT.jpg[/img_thumb] This is the only setup worthy of letting people see me use it. ~
no hole technology, no buy
my livingroom media center used to run on a little shuttle computer [t]http://cdn.itechnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/shuttle-xpc-sp35p2-barebone-pc.jpg[/t] compared to towers of their power at the time, it felt like a gamecube in size. Tucks out of the way, doesn't look like a gaming behemoth, packs a good punch for what you get I think I have two of them in my basement, should try firing them back up. In the meantime, just get a gaming laptop and a USB hub to extend the reach of your mouse/keyboard, then place the bugger closed on a shelf (with the vents safely exposed)
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