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In Win Alpha360 Mini-Tower Case
In Use
Installation It's a tight build, and likely to require cable management, but putting a computer inside this case is fairly routine because of its standard layout. The tool-free modifications make up for the close quarters and then some. If this was your first DIY computer, you'd know that it could be simpler, but it's still simple to the point that any novice could do it by him-or herself. I installed the processor, heatsink, and memory to the motherboard before I installed the motherboard in the case. Then the PSU, the drives, and lastly the video card, which was probably the best way to go. Cooling Cooling is adequate. Some of the parts are great; the duct is downright impressive in its swirly grandeur. But the side panel is the only viable intake, and it's partially obstructed by the plastic panel--there's a lot for air to cavitate on before it gets inside at all. Then the exhaust: it's a 92mm fan, on the loudish side. I'd replace it, but I'm that kind of guy. So, basically, the cooling is above-average and very well-designed, but there's still not much of it. It balances out that way. You could put a low-power system in it and get some mild overclock action, or you could put in a high-power system and know that you're not suffocating it. Quality Check The steel frame is just that, a frame. There's nothing metal with anything like a sharp edge, and you're not going to hurt yourself on the plastic, even if you try. All of the seams between the plastic and the steel are solid and vibration-free. I would say that the quality, given the materials, looks, and style of the case, is top. Conclusion In Win has, in this case, a real designer's champ. Alpha360 looks great in all flavors, even--especially--the Aspire. It's friendly to beginning builders without falling back on being cheap or shoddy, something of a risk for cases in the same price bracket. Speaking of price, it's dropped since the first reviews started showing up; the cases are not $100 anymore, they're just over $50. The Alpha360 would look great on a desk or next to the television and, supposedly, there's a media center kit for it, not that I can find one anywhere. Any drawbacks are noise-related. The case isn't perfect, and even if you replace the exhaust fan, the hard drive cage doesn't have anything to kill vibration. I'm not saying that it's a noise-maker--far from it, and the plastic panels have a noticeable noise-reducing effect--but it won't ever be silent. But I don't think that's what the case is for, really. It's supposed to be easy to use, priced right, and cool looking. And yeah, it's that.  The Good 
Original Style
Sturdy
Good tool-free tweaks
Best air duct yet
New Low Price! The Bad 
Unquiet (but not loud) exhaust fan
Great looks, not great cooling
Related Reviews Mini-Tower February 26, 2008
Mini-Tower February 25, 2004
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