Colorcases CyberMirror Chassis Review

Author : Joseph JaramilloDate : 2nd August 2001

3DVelocity would like to thank Colorcases for providing this case for review.

Performance:

There are many facets to judging a case's performance. One aspect is the case's overall ability to keep the interal components of the computer cool. Another question is who the case's target audience is, and if it suits that audience. Finally, the overall ease of use, and quality of construction must be brought into question.

On the first point, this chassis did not perform well. This exact same system used to be housed in the FKI FK-320 case I reviewed in January, and it was tested under the exact same conditions.

Clearly, this is not an overclocker's case. The disparancy between the two cases in terms of cooling ability is so large it is staggering. However, before writing off this case based on these numbers, it should be noted that these cases are targeted at different customers. Also, here at 3DVelocity we believe in testing units as they arrive (assuming UPS hasn't damaged them first!), and as a result we tested this case only with the single 80mm rear fan. For reference, the FKI unit had two 92mm fans.

The final token to consider here is what I like to call "usability" - how well a product actually serves its purpose. The CyberMirror is clearly intended to be a PC case that people look at and think "that looks pretty cool". In fact, that is precisely what my cousin said the moment he first saw it, followed by "where can I get one?" However, that's only half of the story.

As a day-to-day PC case, I find it terribly difficult to recommend the CyberMirror. In order for the case to retain its "look-cool" effect all the front bezel drive covers must be on. However, in order to actually access the drives those covers must come off. Colorcases includes with this unit a specialized CD-drive cover, shown below, but regardless of whether it was in front of my DVD drive or my CD-R/W (your standard run-of-the-mill Hewlitt-Packard burner), the mechanism for its flip-out design failed, trapping my CD tray in a partially open position.

Leaving the drive covers off severely detracts from the overall effect of the case, thereby presenting the question of usability. Does this case look cool? Yes. Will it hold the average system for the average user wanting a neat case with ease and reliability? Yes. Will that average user want to remove and reinstall front covers constantly over the life of the PC? That is a question only prospective buyers can answer.

Conclusion:

So what's the verdict? This is a stylish PC case of excellent construction. Its design will attract attention in a visually appealing way. However, its design does little to justify the manner in which the user must actually use the case.

I find it difficult to assign a Radometer rating on this unit, because it fails and succeeds on vastly different ends of two different spectrums, and that score would not be correct if taken only as an average. We hold overall usability to be paramount to style, and it is for that reason that 3DVelocity awards the Colorcases CyberMirror a 60%.

On a personal note, this will be my last review for 3DVelocity for some time. The time has come for this 18-year old to go off to college, and take my leave. Designing the new site for Radeonic was a pleasure, as was working with each of its members. In the future you can count on seeing a fresh 3DVelocity design, compliments of yours truly. With that, I bid you all a fond adieu.

 

A Right to Reply

3DVelocity: Who exactly do you feel is your target customer, with this case?

CC: Awaiting Reply.

3DVelocity: This case looks great, but those looks come at the cost of ease of use. How do you justify its design?

CC: Awaiting Reply.