Ahanix dBox: Standardizing LCD Case Controls

Features

Just like every case we have seen this year, the Ahanix dBox provided us with an abundance of thumbscrews.  Thumbscrews have really gone a long way to improve the user friendliness of a case, but for them to work effectively they must be employed in an all or nothing manner.  It was great getting the case open with no tools, but we grumbled a little bit when we saw the PCI expansion slots did not come with any thumbscrews.  To pop in a new sound card still requires at least some use of a screwdriver.

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An unusual feature to see on a case was a forward infrared port.  Although we have never used our IRDA port before, as wireless devices become more common, the front mounted infrared port could be a large advantage.  Possibly, with a little creativity it might even be possible to modify existing IR devices (keyboards, mice) to work with this forward port. Also paired with the IRDA port was the presence of two USB 2.0 forward adaptors.

Just as the poor removable motherboard tray plagued the Lian Li PC-9300 case, the absence of a removable tray on the dBox provided an equally unimpressive experience.  Almost every case we have reviewed has taken a large disadvantage by choosing not to include a removable motherboard tray.  The exception to this being the Chenming based cases which are so large there is more than enough room to work in.  Aftermarket case manufacturers like Ahanix need to realize the consumers they are targeting are the type who will be opening the computer, adding and removing hardware.  As we have learned the hard way at AnandTech, a poor environment to properly mount and install components usually involves in damaging hardware.  Since the dBox is appearing in limited OEM fashion, they are slightly forgivable. 

Also unique to see were the included bay sheaths.  Most people would say putting a beige DVD drive in a black case looks a little tacky.  Fortunately, Ahanix went out on a limb and included a few of these sheaths to cover different color items.  These sheaths covered over our 5.25” bays to give the frontal view of the case a clean and uniform appearance.  The unfortunate problem is not all hardware is created the same; several drives will not fit correctly under the provided bezels.

As the dBox seems to be full of unusual features, another thing we noticed was the screw holes on the 5.25” bay are only present on one side.  A small metal rail provides resistance by pushing the drive against the other side.  Although it could be just personal preference, we really would have liked to have seen the traditional approach with screws on both sides.  There is something not quite inviting about watching a steel bar dig into a new Pioneer 105 DVD-RW. 

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The dBox prides itself in being the first case with an integrated circuit board.  The last few months have brought several case designs with LCD’s and fan controls on the case, including the Skyhawk Jupiter which we will be reviewing in upcoming weeks.