Case
Case - what kind should I get?
For desktop PCs we recommend midi-tower cases for most situations. They use standard power supply units, which are cheaper and more readily available. They have sufficient internal space to allow airflow and generally keep the computer components cooler resulting in a longer life and greater reliability.
Slim cases offer advantages in saving space, but the downsides are that they are a bit more difficult for a technician to work on, the power supplies are more expensive and harder to find replacements for and they are more prone to heat related problems due to compact size.
A sturdy case is essential. A weak case can cause the motherboard to bend when lifted and if the motherboard sustains damage such as cracking it can be expensive. Because the Windows operating system licenses itself to the computer's hardware, replacing the motherboard can mean you need to buy new copies of these programs. Also part of the Windows licensing agreement is that you must affix the Windows license key sticker to the case and it is not designed to be removed. If the case gets damaged due to weak design then replacing the case becomes a drama because of the difficulty in moving the license sticker.
For desktop PCs we recommend midi-tower cases for most situations. They use standard power supply units, which are cheaper and more readily available. They have sufficient internal space to allow airflow and generally keep the computer components cooler resulting in a longer life and greater reliability.
Slim cases offer advantages in saving space, but the downsides are that they are a bit more difficult for a technician to work on, the power supplies are more expensive and harder to find replacements for and they are more prone to heat related problems due to compact size.
A sturdy case is essential. A weak case can cause the motherboard to bend when lifted and if the motherboard sustains damage such as cracking it can be expensive. Because the Windows operating system licenses itself to the computer's hardware, replacing the motherboard can mean you need to buy new copies of these programs. Also part of the Windows licensing agreement is that you must affix the Windows license key sticker to the case and it is not designed to be removed. If the case gets damaged due to weak design then replacing the case becomes a drama because of the difficulty in moving the license sticker.