A-TOP AT589 TRANSLUCENT COMPUTER CASE
Last updated: 07/29/03

They come in orange, purple, and blue...
Which, to many, is a case quite cool...
Translucent, I mean, the latest rage...
Enter the A-Top AT589, center stage...

Is a translucent case the way to go...
Two million I-Mac owners must think so...
What's this "glowing" tower all about?
Read-on and you'll find out...

PLASTIC.  This case has a translucent look owing to the semi-transparent plastic serving as its epidermis on the front, top, and sides; but, it is not as translucent as other cases through which one can see computer components like looking through a wall of glass blocks.  Sheet metal is underneath all of this plastic.  On the other hand, because the metal reinforces the plastic, the outside of case does have a hefty feel, especially the removable side panels.  Also, I'm pretty sure that FCC testing labs would be more amenable to a case which appears to be the equivalent of a Faraday Cage than one that does not (yes, I know you can spray plastic with a semi-transparent metallic coating).

The front panel has a sculptured appearance. All four sides bend backward.  The bottom looks like a molded pedestal.  Gone are the useless turbo LED and switch, and the key lock.  The power-on and reset switches and remaining LEDs are in a vertical line on the right side of the case, starting just below the floppy drive. The 1" square manufacture's label is in a good position on the left side and balances the appearance.  Front panel connectors are labeled and are on a single flat cable which I like.  It is easier to zip-tie than a bunch of separate wires.  The front panel is fastened to the metal chassis with four screws.  You have to remove the left side panel to get at one of them. 

Each of the side panels is attached to metal with nine screws.  the plastic on the top of the case attaches with plastic fingers and can be removed by sliding it towards the rear of the case.  (One might think the metal panel on the top of the case could be removed by unscrewing the screws securing it at the rear, but it is fastened with pop-rivets at the front.)

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