THE AOPEN HX95 DESKTOP COMPUTER
CASE
 With
one possible exception, the AOpen HX95 ATX form-factor, desktop computer
case is a fine choice. That exception, a minor one, is the location
of the power-on switch which is located in an awkward position at the center
of the bottom of the front panel, right below the 3 1/2" drive bays
where it is obscured by the keyboard in most user configurations. The
other annoyance, again minor, which is present in all of the AOpen cases
I have used, is the four-pin connector for the front panel hard disk LED. I
really don't understand why Acer uses a four-pin connector when only two
of them are wired for the LED. The connector works fine if you are
using an AOpen motherboard; to connect it to most other motherboards, one
must cut the connector longitudinally in half--I use diagonal cutters. Now
for the other features...
 Bent
metal. The case is made from 1 mm steel. The edges
are bent in to strengthen it and reduce the possibility of cuts during
assembly. The cover easily slides on from the back and is secured
at the back with three screws. There is cut-out to mount an optional
chassis fan right below the expansion card guide at the right, front of
the chassis. Unfortunately, there are only two holes, above the cutout,
to mount the fan. Holes for mounting the bottom of the fan are missing
on all of the HX95's I've seen.
Plastic. The
front panel is gently curved from side-to-side and has an fairly attractive
appearance. Gone are the useless turbo LED and switch and the keylock--good
riddance! The panel is quite securely fastened to the chassis with
solid plastic tabs which make it easy to snap on and off. The
speaker is inserted in a molded expansion card guide assembly which is conveniently
already snapped into the front of the metal chassis.
Drive
bays. The case has six drive bays: two exposed and one hidden
3 1/2" bays and three exposed 5 1/4" bays. The three 3
1/2" bays are in a removable cage which is secured with one screw. This
makes it a snap to install and service, all-at-once, a hard disk, Zip or
LS-120 drive, and a floppy drive. All of the exposed bays come with
with snap-on dust covers. Drives are easily installed without
rails.
10/15/98 UPDATE: The
HX95 is now being shipped with channel-shaped metal brace that goes from
the top of the back of the 5 1/4 driver bays to the rear of chassis, just
to the right of the power supply. Not only does this add strength
and stiffness to the chassis, it also accommodates and an additional 3 1/2
inch internal drive for total of seven drives. The brace easily connects
to the chassis with a single screw. I like it.
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board slots >
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