Computer Cases: Fundamentals of the Most Overlooked Component - Drive Rails, Appearance, and Extras
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Drive Rails, Appearance, and Extras
Drive rails, an increasingly common extra incorporated into many cases, are excellent for the initial construction of the system but redundant for all but the most expansionist users. If you have no plans to upgrade either the optical or internal drives on your system or to swap a variety of drives in and out, often drive rails should not be a deciding factor in the purchase of a case. However, the drive rails do illustrate a growing trend among case manufacturers to have a nearly screw-less mounting system for their designs.
These screw-less designs allow the removal of side panels through a handle or latch, the use of the aforementioned drive rails, and the use of plastic or rubber mounts for fans and drives. Many manufacturers are incorporating the use of either provided thumbscrews or a slot clamp for expansion card installation. While these are innovative and certainly excellent ideas the same logic applies to these as it does to drive rails: unless you upgrade or swap components a lot these should not be deciding factors in your purchase.
Lastly, the color of the case is hardly a factor worth considering in your purchase unless you share my opinion on the subject: beige is ugly. Performance minded users will argue successfully that the color of the case is irrelevant and the least important point to consider when purchasing a computer case. And they are most definitely correct. In the tradition of Henry Ford, you can have your Model T in any color you want, so long as its black. However, the non-power user of whom there is a significantly greater amount will favor a variety of color choices and styles for their computer. Additionally, for these people the color of the system will impact the performance. How? Simply put, it will make them want to use it because it’s cool to do so, and they want to use it. Similar to having a red sports car, it’s a matter of taste and personal style that creates a sense of respect and excitement for the end user.
At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.
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