Wife Acceptable Computer Case

[Knavish]

I would have posted this in the Cases & Cooling forum, but that looks like it focuses more on the high end cooling solutions than general case selection.

I'm looking for a small computer case (microATX, or perhaps miniITX) for a low power desktop system (dual core, integrated graphics, lower than average power consumption). My wife loves the clean look and small size of the Mac Mini computer, but I like building my own computers & I'm not very happy with the functionality / price of the Mac Mini. Maybe it's a sign of my increasing age, but I also think that there are way more tacky computer cases than nice, clean designs.

I normally like Antec cases, and I've used their NSK1380 "cube" case a few times. My wife isn't a huge fan of this case, or the Minuet 350 either, unfortunately.

The best microATX case I've seen so far on Newegg is probably the LIAN LI PC-V350.

I'm also curious about miniITX, but I've only ever used one of these cases. (Morex 3677S) It was very compact, but a bit flimsy. It also *needed* a small (and rather noisy) fan to keep the system from cooking itself.

Any ideas?

Thanks people!
-Knavish

 

[zagood]

Mini P180?

 

[Knavish]

Originally posted by: zagood
Mini P180?

I didn't ever read that case's name so I thought it was a normal desktop the whole time. I'll have to run it by the approval committee

 

[Syran]

MSI Wind? All you would need to do is add memory, hdd, and burner. You can also find a wireless card to fit in it, and you'd be around $350 or less all told; depending on components.

 

[Knavish]

Originally posted by: Syran
MSI Wind? All you would need to do is add memory, hdd, and burner. You can also find a wireless card to fit in it, and you'd be around $350 or less all told; depending on components.

Yeah I'm debating about whether the Atom has enough performance... I like the look of the system, but I'm worried the CPU might be a little weak.

 

[Hacp]

Just get the macmini.

 

[VinylxScratches]

The Mac Mini is a great choice. I don't know how much you will really save by building a small PC. Nothing really compares to it in size. I don't think your wife would be happy with that clunky case anyways.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Knavish

Originally posted by: Syran
MSI Wind? All you would need to do is add memory, hdd, and burner. You can also find a wireless card to fit in it, and you'd be around $350 or less all told; depending on components.

Yeah I'm debating about whether the Atom has enough performance... I like the look of the system, but I'm worried the CPU might be a little weak.

If she's just ganna be surfing the net and stuff like that, it's more then enough preformance for that.

 

[TidusZ]

I wouldn't give mac my money just out of principle. Take any one of the cases mentioned and with the money you save not buying the mac, spray paint it white and put an apple sticker on the top, she wont notice the difference.

 

[Hacp]

Originally posted by: TidusZ
I wouldn't give mac my money just out of principle. Take any one of the cases mentioned and with the money you save not buying the mac, spray paint it white and put an apple sticker on the top, she wont notice the difference.

Have you seen how small and compact the mini is?

 

[VinylxScratches]

Originally posted by: TidusZ
I wouldn't give mac my money just out of principle. Take any one of the cases mentioned and with the money you save not buying the mac, spray paint it white and put an apple sticker on the top, she wont notice the difference.

I'm pretty sure she will see a difference. Try to build a PC that has the same size as the Mac Mini and I doubt you will be able to for a justified price.

 

[nerp]

Get the lian-li. Tell her it's a subwoofer and just get her kickass 2.0 speakers with a lot of bass. Say the computer is INSIDE the monitor.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: zagood
Mini P180?

That case is probably the biggest micro ATX case in the world and rivals ATX mid towers in size. NOT the first case that comes to mind when I think of "small cases."

Originally posted by: Knavish
I'm also curious about miniITX, but I've only ever used one of these cases. (Morex 3677S) It was very compact, but a bit flimsy. It also *needed* a small (and rather noisy) fan to keep the system from cooking itself.

Seems as if the mini ITX niche is booming these days, with all the new stuff coming out.

mini ITX at Newegg

I like how the In Win cases look. Note that they seem to use notebook/slimline optical drives, but that can add to their sexiness because you can get a slot load drive (plus you need an adapter).

Put an E5200 CPU into this board and you should have decent performance and still reasonably quiet as the CPU's fan isn't that noisy, plus I think the case uses a slimline 80mm fan. There are cheaper motherboards, but this one has it all with gigabit ethernet, included WiFi and DVI output. The cheapest version of that board ($35 after rebate!!!) doesn't have DVI.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i say dont listen to her. you're buying it, you're building it, you're going to be using it. PICK WHAT YOU LIKE!

women will never mix with PCs. with a PC its ALWAYS function > form. with women its always vice versa so its okay to ignor your wife on this decision