Aspire X-Qpack Review

Right-side:

Ah... Remember those good days with heavy, bulky cases? those cases that probably increased the rate of back injuries substantially? Yes, those steel and aluminum cases! Sure, the aluminum cases are light - until you fill up the case with internal workings and make the case become something more worthy than just a conversation piece.

I can't say I know Aspire much, but for some reason the only real knowledge I have of Aspire is of their power supplies. Which are no less than stunning in their own right. This isn't completely fair since Aspire has a lot of cases on the market, all far unique than anything else on the market. Most of Aspire's numerous cases, to me, seem just so wild and far out there it just repelled me away. My taste lies with a clean, solid look and this case is the first small case that I can say from the heart I love. Before I get all teary eyed here, lets continue with the introduction.

Most of you are probably wondering "What the heck does 'X-QPack' mean?". Looking at previous Aspire's cases (X-Cruiser, X-SuperAlien, X-Navigator, X-Plorer,...), they all start out with the first two characters "X-". Because I'm still confuzzled about the reason for the letter "Q", I'll let the email do the talking...

Thankfully, for computers, those days those bigger-are-better statements are giving way for a kinder, more gentler motion we love to call *drum roll* Micro ATX. A sure fire way to increase popularity with the guys and ladies by 20 for at least 30 minutes. Yep, Aspire and Xoxide know what Gamers, Geeks, and the average person want - something that isn't going to cramp their style... or their bank.

X-Qpack Packaging and First Thoughts

The first words that popped through my mind was "Just a bit big for a small computer case?" The case was almost as long as my 21' monitor. The package glimmers with the color of blue and white. While blue and white do go amazingly well, the design of the box could've been more uniform. Honestly, I don't find the box all that appealing - but it's only a box cover.

As far as functionality goes, the box has a handle at the top of the package - right from the start there's "Carry me home" written all over this box. Inspecting the box closely I can't help but bring my eyes to the corners of the package. I may be a worry-wort, but any slight damage on the box tends to fire chills down my spine.

Opening this box was a piece of cake, on the front, there's a pull-back tab that allows the top to fly right open. Getting the product out of the box (Safely) was a different matter while not being a large man and I'm not a small man, but Heck.. I had trouble squeezing my fingers inside to get a good hold on the styrofoam sides while my left foot held the box flap (and the box) down on the bed - standing on my right foot. Thanks to this product I now know I have a pretty good sense of balance :)

When the product became free of the box the case seemed so much lighter, It seemed that the cardboard-box made up for 1/3 of the weight of the whole thing. The corners were made rounded, meaning that those slightly bented corners on the box were just a empty threat. Thats a very good thing, if you weren't keeping score :)

At first glance, it's easy to forget there is a color, because the only thing that is easily seen from any angle is black. However, when the Styrofoam sides were taken away and the plastic bag was shuffled off from around the small case, a silver front peaks from bottom as my voice says "Silver!". The only difference in color between the other Aspire X-QPack is the front plastic and the handle, everything else is probably uniform with black and blue... which is good, if you get a silver or blue case. Unfortunately, there isn't any way to tell which color the case is, unless you know what the model codes are and look on the box's silver model stickers:

On every 9 x 5 window (including a small part on the front) on the case, there's plastic covering (inside the case and outside) to shield it from dust and any dirt that might collect on the window before arriving to a happy owner. Not much of a fuss and hassle to take it off, just stuck to the window nicely. I'd be worried if it wasn't stuck on the acrylic window. The windows are pretty much seamless when feeling from the outside, when the corner was pressed inwards, there seemed to be a another border (looking from the inside) the traces along the case as well. What does this mean? It seems to me that without destroying the window and this entire case (yet) that the glass was specially designed just for this case.

There are 3 silver thumbscrews holding the three sides and holds it down on the main base. I had [and still having] a little problem getting the left side of the case open, it seemed stuck on the side, but with more force applied to that side it easily succumbed to my strength without bending the back inwards. The front of the case turns into a handle, there is a plastic flap that has pops up. The handle is spring-loaded, there isn't any problem about the handle flopping down as it's always ready to be transported. During LANparties, there isn't really any need to put the handle down. The handle from what I've found doesn't take away from pressing buttons, any buttons or the front connections for headphone/headset/USB/firewire it's actually in a perfect spot. If anyone really cares to it use the handle for any other purpose, It can act as a wire management tool during LAN parties!

Three 9 x 5 windows are on the top and the sides of the case, the glass if the case is made from aluminum, so it better be light weighing in at a few pounds under the box-given weight (12 lbs) it weighs 9 pounds.

Inside the case is a rather large 120mm, clear-blue fan attached to the back. Also inside the case is a glossy black power supply, from what I've seen its a 420watt, a lot of juice for a small case. There's also a nice little bonus with the power supply, it's sleeved. That's right, all the connecting wires are pre-sleeved in black for you. However, there is no instruction booklet included with the X-QPack. There's plenty of screws, just no instruction booklet given. Aspire has a instruction manual online, but it is not the same as having it to read.

Inside the case holds 1 bag of screws, and attached to the glossy black power supply's power cables is a 3-pronged, black, standard power cord.

Manufacturer: Aspire

Conclusions and Ratings

Point 1.Where's the instruction manual? I like a little reading material when I'm stuck in a boring class, or at some appointment. :)

Point 2.The Handle is nicely hidden in the front of the case, seems quite capable to carry the load for LAN parties. While the handle, in the front is interesting - I'm worried about the handle and the materials inside.. any un-fastened lights, trinkets would jumble around while the case is tilted back.

Point 3.Speaking of trinkets! This case is small, Don't expect to place 10 lights in tiny case, It'll be compact with motherboard and all that good stuff to worry about lights while trying to fit the case cover back on.

Point 4.The fan is blue.. a very good, pure blue. If you don't like the color blue, then you can easily replace this fan with another 120 mm fan at Xoxide.com, I like the blue with the silver front... ...I wouldn't like the blue color (front LCD) with some other colors, like yellow.