HI,

Some while ago (and I *think* it was in micromart), I saw mention of a PC Case with *all* the connections at the front.

Just to be clear, this wasn't a port extender that fits into a 5.25" bay for USB, Serial, sound and the like. The best way I can describe it, is like a standard PC, but with the CD and floppy also facing "backwards". The unsightly cabling was hidden beside a large flap that covered everything apart from the CD and floppy.

Although this adds a bit to the depth, it means an end to scrabbling round at the back of the PC for *any* cable.

Can anyone recall seeing this ? Editorial staff ??

TIA

Sean

Don't know any details, but it sounds a bloody good idea

I remember seeing that and thinking YUK (must have been shown without the nice front cover), even though it's a good idea if you regularly need to access cables. However, the design was probably a bit too radical for most peoples' tastes, and what we've been seeing is more use of breakout boxes for audio/video connections, or front access panels designed to fit in spare 3.5" or 5.25" external drive bays with either these or USB/USB 2 and Firewire sockets. German sound card mfrs Terratech have to go one better and do a breakout box with one of their soundcards that can also fit into a spare 5.25" bay!

A little off subject, - (or maybe not) - but relevant I feel. --- what do yall' think of "Desktop" cases
My tower resides on the floor, alongside a small chest of drawers containing important paperwork. Discs ect, upon which sits my monitor.

As I am constantly trying new equipment, connecting and disconnecting cables, I wondered whether an ATX desktop case may not be more convenient than a Tower ?

Heat is my main consideration, as the desktop case may not have the volume of my "Larghish" midi tower.

Alan.

I paid for this midi tower beastie, so it can live where I can see it!Also I have the advantage of a full sized L-shape computer desk in my lounge so it doesn't have to live on the floor (don't like having to reach down to load cds, floppies, etc).

Some argue that heat dissipation is actually better in a desktop case than a midi tower, and if you can find one strong enough to take the extra weight of the larger monitors we seem to use nowadays, it will save you a bit of working space - not a lot, I suspect. Having a monitor on top your case might actually make it harder to fumble round the back of the 'pooter, so perhaps a breakout box/5.25" panel full of audio/video sockets for hooking up all your video gear is a better solution, whatever case you use.

I remember the one - a cracking case from a company called Metalico. Not cheap, but a couple of the guys here have got one and rave about them.

The link for the company is www.smartcase.biz

That looks a nice case Simon, and I like the idea of the rubber IDE mounts, I notice my new WD 7200 drive is a little noisier than the old Maxtor, and that would probably help.

I have an S-video/analogugue/sound breakout box fitted with the Pinnacle AV/DV card Adrian, it is an invaluable piece of kit, just wish it had the firewire connection on it, as does the latest ones.

Mine too is in the lounge, the PC is fairly quiet bar the Philips CD/RW, but the thing that annoys Flo is the keyboard, --- any advice on a quiet, - "soft-touch" keyboard Guys ?

Alan.

Fantastic. I think I'll be £90 down before the day is out :-)

Having clicked on the link and seen a nice colour piccie it does look a bit better, although the filing cabinet drawer ancestry is apparent in the design!

I'm sure they can refine it a bit to get form as well as function. Something in polished alloy, a bit more rounded at the edges than the Lian-Li cases would do it. There's a guy who makes custom alloy petrol tanks for motorbikes up in Scotland who might make a good job of it, plus you could have a genuine Monza filler cap for the header tank for your overclocked Athlon XP's water cooling system!

Alan, try a Logitech keyboard, I'm using their basic Access model for about £15, maybe less these days. The next one up the range looks good, and after that you're onto the cordless desktop stuff - actually not a bad idea for these back to front cases.