Thanks for the clarifications, everybody.

I don't think any computer manufacturer would take my ideas seriously (they certainly wouldn't if they knew how little I know). I do think, though, that it would be a good idea the air mesh filter at the front of the box could be removed, without dismantling everything of course, and washed occasionally.

If this can be done for vacuum cleaners, why not for computers?

---

__________________________________________________

>
> If this can be done for vacuum cleaners, why not for computers?
>

With some cases you can, though with my Antec case the practicalities of taking it out are not well thought out.

The trouble is mainly that computer manufacturers adopt two main strategies when choosing a case. One is to buy the cheapest possible box and sell on price; the other is to sell on styling, and choose a case that is minimalist, has a fancy curved front, or whatever. The average customer isn't expected to be very interested in practicabilities of things like air filters or extra fans, especially if they are told that they will have to pay rather more for the computer, or forgo some other feature to get it. Nor would the average salesperson promote such features.

Many of the people who really care tend to assemble their own machines anyway.

Those who don't want to make their own PC could try two other possibilities. One is to go into their local computer store or supermarket and demand that the salesperson demonstrate how to change the filter, or show them a machine that has a temperature readout on the front panel. But they should not be surprised if they get treated as a timewaster. The other is to find a local firm that will assemble a PC to order. The drawbacks to that could be price and an uncertain warranty, but it can be done.

Years of experience suggest to me that PC cases are an underappreciated aspect of computing.

---

> Many of the people who really care tend to assemble their own machines
> anyway.

That's the point. Buyers of assembly-lined pc's normally are'nt the users that care about tweaking their pcs. The problem of this machines are simply the mostly insufficient possibilities of overclocking or upgrading. So PC manufactures are assembling most likely low budget components or quality parts with reduced tweaking possibilities.

> Years of experience suggest to me that PC cases are an underappreciated
> aspect of computing.

But I think only to useres that don't care about it. But you have the possibilities of choosing a case that suits modern aspects of high performance pc's. But one may not make the mistake to believe this cases are cheap. Cheaper cases are'nt in the quality of highperformance needs. So you've the possibility to get well designed components, you only have to realize and assign them.

Ciao, Tom

> Those who don't want to make their own PC could try two other possibilities.
> One is to go into their local computer store or supermarket and demand that
> the salesperson demonstrate how to change the filter, or show them a machine
> that has a temperature readout on the front panel. But they should not be
> surprised if they get treated as a timewaster. The other is to find a local
> firm that will assemble a PC to order. The drawbacks to that could be price
> and an uncertain warranty, but it can be done.

Another possibility is to look at "Server" grade PC's, these will be equipped with high quality cases - good thermal design, quality fans, filters etc... and will run 24/7 for years (hardware side - excluding OS problems). The prices are not too extortionate, as they usually don't come with a M$ OS installed - which saves a lot ;-} ....

NB Most servers will have their prices quoted without VAT as they aimed at business users...

---

Andrew

<a href="http://cpdnforum.info">CPDNforum<a>