Tower case design - a cry for help

[racolvin]

By creating this topic, I'm hoping to get Anand and the rest of the team to champion a cause that just seems to fall by the wayside everytime a review is posted, etc.

With all the hype that Small Form Factor (SFF) computers like Shuttle get, we must admit that the mid-tower and full-tower case designs are not going away any time soon. Further, given the number of devices that make up our "digital lifestyle" - iPod or other audio players, digital camers and video cameras, USB "keychain" storage devices, etc, we don't see the need for easily accessible USB/Firewire ports going away either. Lastly, for those of us with spouses, roomates, etc that need to keep our computing experience from intruding on the rest of the house, other easily accessible ports like Headphones, Mic, etc are also a necessity, right?

Given all those things, WHY do tower case designers/manufacturers INSIST on putting the #$%@! USB/Audio/Firewire ports as close to the floor as possible??

Is there any logic to this whatsoever? Is there any reason that the traditional "drives at the top" mentality of a tower case can't be stretched a little by moving them down an inch or two and make room at the top/front of the case for these ports we so commonly need easy access to? I don't know about the rest of you but without buying an extension cable from my local Radio Shack, my headphones will not reach from the floor to my head. Nor do I relish the idea of having to bend all the way down to the floor to connect my digital camera to my USB ports.

If I'm the only one that thinks it would be a good idea for Anand and the rest of the computer enthusiast media to gang up on the case designers/manufacturers to get them to think about things like this, please say so in a reply to this post. But if you think the "ports on the floor" thing is a good idea or that you don't mind it, please post your solutions for the rest of us who think the ergonomics of this situation is less than ideal.



Ronnie

 

[Chronoshock]

The worst solution is the one I got on my dell system (yeah I know, it's a dell). The USB ports and headphone jack are located on the underside of a protrusion on the case so you need to bend the cords so they face up (big pain for my printer) after lifting up the door that covers it. I agree that they need to be put elsewhere but I'm not sure if the top is the ideal solution since those who put their computer under a relatively short desk might run into problems with getting the cables positioned well...

 

[racolvin]

Oh I wouldn't want them on the actual top of the case either. My personal preference would be to be at the top of the front - above the drives but still facing the front.

 

[Tiamat]

You could put the tower on the desk. Then those ports are at a perfect level, and you lower the dust accum by quite a bit. Thats assuming you have the kinda desk that allows for this setup.

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
You could put the tower on the desk. Then those ports are at a perfect level, and you lower the dust accum by quite a bit. Thats assuming you have the kinda desk that allows for this setup.

Personally, the probability of putting a tower case of any kind, much less a full tower, on top of the desk is so close to nil as makes no odds Can you imagine putting one of those Lian-Li PC-V1000 or PC-V1100, wheels and all, on top of the desk?

Ronnie

 

[NewBlackDak]

I hope you'd remove the wheels to put it on a desk. I could see someone getting mad or exited at a game, and rolling their system off the desk.

 

[fevoldj2]

Ok... is it only me or has anyone thought of using a 5 1/2 bay for the ports? they have things like this that will put audio, firewire, and usb ports (maybe more) and you can put it wherever you want, or if ur really short on cash use usb extension cables and route it from the back of the case to the top front! lol Good question though, i hope that solves ur problem

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: fevoldj2
Ok... is it only me or has anyone thought of using a 5 1/2 bay for the ports? they have things like this that will put audio, firewire, and usb ports (maybe more) and you can put it wherever you want, or if ur really short on cash use usb extension cables and route it from the back of the case to the top front! lol Good question though, i hope that solves ur problem

Actually there are some good products out there that will do exactly as you describe. The issue however is one of original design. If they stopped putting the ports on the front at all, using one of the 5.25" bays for one of those devices is the only solution you have. But if they're going to build them in the front from the beginning, then it seems they ought to put them in a more logical place than down on the floor.

 

[LED]

Considering where most of the USB internal plugs are located on the MoBo...I see why the ports are located close to the floor although I have seen a few in the middle of the Case...Plus as you stated their are devices to move them up and if you really want convenience for using it @ arm reach from the floor, then purchase a Hub...I prefer Firewire800 myself

 

[Cerb]

Most people have the towers on their desks these days.
And not every manufacturer is going to do like Coolermaster with the Stacker (though it'd be great if CM sold that USB bay thing for like $20 as an accessory).

 

[Zepper]

There are cases that have the front ports in many different locations from right in the middle of the top to the very bottom. People buying cases with the ports where they want them is the way to go (not trying to force mfr's to put them where you might want them). Let the market decide (which is the best way to handle most such issues).
. If you don't like the way yours are, rip 'em out and plug the holes. Then get a ports bay panel (like those from frontx.com et al.) and put it where you want.
. And while we're at it, let's cut the whining about things in general.

.bh.

Where's the :sun: ?