Antec Mini ITX Case ISK300-65 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've built many of my own computers systems over the years so I was excited to assemble my first Mini-ITX based system. The whole point of Mini-ITX is size so the Antec ISK-300 case caught my eye right away. After comparing a few others (Apex, Lian Li & Cooler Master) the Antec case was my choice.

The case arrived before I ordered any of my other components so there was plenty of time to inspect it. First, this thing is heavy duty with a slightly thicker metal than most of the cases I've purchased in the past. Heavy is fine with me, how often do you tote your computer around anyway? The finish is very well done and it came with everything required to do a quality build, right down to zip ties and the tiny securement screw for a slim CD/DVD. Including all of the right components ranks high in my book.

The interior layout is my only complaint. Antec could have done a better job when they designed the power distribution board. The layout and placement of that single board is responsible for the extended length of the case. Antec chose to place this board flat on the bottom of the case meaning your Mini-ITX is essentially extended in length to accommodate two circuit boards. Kinda dumb in my opinion. The CD/DVD door design is the only 'cheap-out' on this case, like other reviewers I think it could have been done better.

The only other complaint is that the I/O section of my Zotac board didn't fit against the trim plate very tight. This may be a Zotac problem, but either way it's a perturbing little gap that looks like an amateur build. I did plenty of head-scratching with this problem and there's no way to adjust it better. Gaps like this equal air/dust infiltration and improper air flow and it just annoys me to no end. It's a very small gap but it just shouldn't be there.

After completion, the case seems to cool well. The three speed case fan does a good job but I might need to find a better fan if I try to overclock the board. It's refreshingly quiet, small and made for a nice build. I'd rank it an 8.5 out of 10.

Summary: The Antec ISK300 is solid, simple and well supplied with a rich black finish, a little better interior layout could improve the design but this is a great 'little' case for the price.

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Product Description:
Mini-ITX is the next "big" thing. Designed exclusively. Mini-ITX motherboards. With three drive bays, a side 80mm TriCool fan, and a stable 65-watt power adapter, the ISK 300-65 can handle many of the tasks of a traditional PC, in half the space. And with a 0.8mm cold rolled steel frame, the ISK 300-65 is not only nimble but durable. From petite desktop option to silent home theater, Antec's ISK 300-65 is an epic case of mini proportions.

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Intel D945GCLF Essential Series Mini-ITX DDR2 667 Intel Graphics Integrated Atom Processor Desktop Board - Retail Review

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(More customer reviews)The Intel D945GCLF motherboard is a great product. This is a super way to start building a computer without the time-consuming complexity of buying many compatible components and assembling them into a working system. So far, I've bought two of these boards and expect to buy more in the future as Intel continues to improve this chip / board product line.

You'll need to add a hard drive, ram memory, a case/power supply, external speakers, keyboard, mouse, monitor, and operating system. But that's all stuff you can pretty easily plug together. You may already have some of these key parts lying around as spares from existing or antiquated computers.

I installed several different versions of operating systems, settling on a copy of Ubuntu for daily use. It's fast, fun, and free.

I have shown this board to a number of very knowledgeable, computer savvy friends who were impressed enough to quickly buy one for their own use. It's cost effective and ruggedly reliable. (I wouldn't recommend a drop-test, but I did drop it off the back of a van and it kept working.)

I've found the processor performance to be quite acceptable for web browsing and basic administrative tasks. The system boots surprisingly quickly. The outstanding energy efficiency is appealing, ideal for any systems that are left on for extended periods of time (e.g. in home servers, security systems, or environmental control devices.)

This product is an exceptional value for a low-cost desktop system. You could also use it as a component in an embedded PC-compatible systems. If nothing else, it's a fun, inexpensive, and powerful way to explore and experiment with new computing technologies.

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Product Description:
Essential Series. Single pack mini ITX / uATX compatible form factor desktop board with soldered down IntelAtom Processor 230. The IntelDesktop Board D945GCLF with 945GC + ICH7 chipset supports 533 MHz System Bus DDR2 667 MHz SDRAM Memory Integrated10/100 Network Connection PCI connector up to 6 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports (4 back ports) 2+2 channel HD Audio PATA and two SATA ports.

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Apple Mac mini M9687LL/B (1.42 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Mac Mini was released in January 2005 at Mac World, and was then updated, for the first time, in July 2005.This Mac Mini is the result of that update.

Improvements - The $599 Mac Mini now sports 512 MB of DDR SDRAM, which is twice the memory the original Mac Mini included.This is a significant upgrade.The majority of users can now buy, out of the box, a machine that performs beautifully and allows a fair amount of multi-tasking.The Mac operating system, Mac OS X Tiger, thrives on memory, and 512 MB helps to create a speedy experience, for users.

Bluetooth - Bluetooth is a great wireless technology that Apple heavily backs, and it is included with this Mac Mini, an addition, from the original Mac Minis, when bluetooth was an optional add-on, at Apple.com, for $50 more.Purchase a bluetooth keyboard or bluetooth mouse, and they will work wirelessly, with your Mac Mini.It makes for a very clean and uncluttered desktop.There are also many mobile phones and PDAs, which utilize bluetooth technology, which you can sync to your mac using isync, included with Mac Mini.

Airport Extreme - This is the wireless networking card now included with the $599 Mac Mini, after being a $70+ upgrade at Apple.com, on the previous model.Do you have a wireless-b or wireless-g network in your home?If so, the Mac Mini will be able to connect to it, without problem.Again, making the computing experience simpler and less tangled.

The Good Things that Continue to Shine with Mac Mini - A buyer of the Mac Mini will continue to enjoy Mac OS X Tiger, which is the best consumer operating system in the world.It works with the hardware beautifully to provide a simple, fast, elegant, and reliable experience.One of the favorite descriptions of Mac fans, to describe Macs, is simply, "it just works."

The Mac Mini continues to include iLife '05, with great applications such as iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, iTunes, and Garageband.These are all included, with every Mac Mini.You will be challenged to find any PC that includes applications that come anywhere close to the iLife suite.Manage thousands of your digital images in iPhoto, create home movies in iMovie, and create professional music in Garageband.

Appleworks is included for simply word processing, spreadsheets, etc., but you might want to pick up Microsoft Office for Mac.A student/teacher edition is available, for just over $100.

Speed - The 1.42 GHZ PowerPC G4 processor makes the Mac Mini a very capable machine.This will satisfy the horsepower needed to complete tasks in the iLife suite, included with your Mac Mini.

Hard Drive - 80 GB is a significant-sized hard drive, so you will be able to store thousands of photos and songs.

ComboDrive - The Apple Combo Drive allows you to burn music and data CDs, plus you can watch DVDs!

Drawbacks?The $599 version of the Mac Mini no longer includes a modem, if you want this version of the Mac Mini with a modem, you will have to custom-order it at Apple.com.However, the ethernet port is included on the back, to plug into a DSL or cable modem, plus you have the Airport Extreme, for wireless connections.However, if you don't have broadband, you'll need a modem for dial-up, so you will either need to order a custom-built Mac Mini at Apple.com, or buy the stock $499 model, which includes a modem, but lacks the wireless components.

Overall, Apple has created another fantastic product, with the Mac Mini, and the July 2005 update only made it better.You get more memory, plus wireless connectivity via bluetooth and airport extreme.This Mac Mini really includes everything the average user needs to enjoy the internet, manage his or her digital life, and have fun doing it all.

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Product Description:
Includes: VGA/DVI adapter, Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger, iLife '05 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD & GarageBand), AppleWorks, Quicken2005 for Mac, & more. Apple Mac Mini - Incredibly inexpensive, but definitely not cheap, this miniature Apple Macintosh Computer is perfectfor handling your day to day computing, and then some! The main feature is it's petite exterior. The Mac Mini is only 6.5" square, 2" high, andweighs only 2.9 pounds. Its attractive platinum and white, rounded square design gives it a sophisticated modern look that can't be matched. Italso has the convenience of having all of its buttons and ports placed in the back, so cables are kept tidy and neat, giving you a clean overallappearance. But what's even more amazing than its good looks, is the shear amount of technology Apple has packed inside! Slot-Loading CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive - up to 24x CD-R, 16x CD-RW, 24x CD-ROM, & 8x DVD-ROM Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 1 FireWire 400, 2 USB 2.0, DVI Out, VGA Out, & Headphone/Audio Line Out Built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11b/g Wi-Fi Wireless Network Adapter) Bluetooth Support

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4" Personal Two-speed Desktop Personal Fan Review

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(More customer reviews)All the other girls in my office are jealous of my adorable tiny fan! This little fan is the perfect size for my desk, and I imagine anyone's cluttered desk can afford the small space it takes. It sits directly across from me (2 feet away) between my pencil cup (shorter than my scissors) and my phone. It has an acceptable noise level: I can talk on the phone with no problem.It doesn't blow my papers around. But most importantly, it keeps me nice and cool, happily blowing on me to fulfill its destiny!A good purchase.

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Product Description:
4 Personal Two-Speed Desktop Personal Fan

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MI-008 Tower Black P4 Chassis with 250W Itx Psu+sata Power Supply Review

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(More customer reviews)**Information about the case - DETAILED!

The case is small and somewhat neat looking. The powerlight in the front is not blue, but green; which I found a little disappointing. The case is really tight! For a DVD Drive; it cannot exceed more than ~6 inches in length or it will not fit due to the position of the power supply. I used an Intel DG41MJ board with an Intel Celeron E3300 processor. The heat sink sits (touches) the CPU fan. It doesn't seem to pose any problems since it's not transfering heat to/from the processor. The case has no fans except that the power supply has one; however it blows air right into the wall of the case, so it doesn't do much. The inside can get pretty hot, so I wouldn't use this for anything that requires high performance. Make sure that absolutely nothing is blocking the air vents or else there may be heating issues. Due to the lack of room and air flow, I used a 2.5" (laptop) SATA hard drive in this computer. You can use a laptop or desktop SATA hard drive and it will work perfectly fine! There is no slot for the 2.5" laptop SATA drive, but you can set it down on the botton of the case if you lay the case down sideways.

I loaded Microsoft Windows 7 Professional on it and it works fine! With the 2.5" laptop SATA hard drive, I can bearly hear the computer running. It is very quiet.

-POWER SUPPLY INFORMATION-
The power supply has the following plugs:
2x SATA power
1x 20+4 power pins
1x 4 pin (for the processor)
1x floppy drive power connector
I know it has some molex cables as well, but I forgot how many. I know there was about three or so.

All the cables had either enough line or too much line. Make sure that when you're done assembling the computer that none of the cables are touching the CPU fan; you can easily work the cables around the fan.

Decent case for the price.

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Product Description:
MI-008 TOWER BLACK P4 CHASSIS

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Intel Desktop Board D510MO with integrated Intel Atom processor D510 - Motherboard - mini ITX - iNM10 - SATA-300 - Gigabit Ethernet - video - High Definition Audio (6-channel) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had two Intel iAtom mITX mother boards before this.
(Both are still running fine on someone elses desk)
This is the best yet and I am sure there are even better ones to come.
This one is dual core, has gigabit LAN, and no fan at all is required.
It can use 4GB (2x2GB) of DDR2-800 RAM so it will work well with Windows 7.
I am using it with XP Pro and it does everything I need it to do.
It is stable and fast enough for drafting, word processing, and photo editing.
I wouldn't expect it to be used for editing video except occasionally.
The onboard video looks good to me.
I do wish it had HDMI and/or a DVI connector which it lacks.
It has a flash interface, 4 rear, abd 2 front USB ports which is handy.
For hardware hackers and folks with legacy hardware there are still headers to attach parallel and serial connectors.
That's getting rarer these days.

This is a great little board if you are not a mega-gamer or do a lot of video editing.
It is stable, reliable and relatively inexpensive, and it sips power compared to most rigs.

I have it in an Apex M008 mITX case, with a 320GB WD 3.5" HD, 4GB of OCZ Gold DDR2-800, and a Samsung DVD writer.
The 4GB is not necessary if you are running XP or even Windows 7 for most folks.
2GB is plenty and would use less power. For XP 1GB might be adequate.

I love it!

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Product Description:
Essential Series. Single pack, mini ITX / uATX compatible form factor desktop board with soldered down Dual Core IntelAtom Processor D510. The Intel Desktop Board D510MO built with the Intel NM10 Express Chipset, supporting the integrated 1.66GHz IntelAtom? Processor D510 processors, and improved core graphics, using IntelGMA 3150. Provide additional flexibility 2 slots single channel DDR2 800 / 667 MHz, maximum up to 4GB. 10/100/1000 integrated LAN, additional Wireless option via PCIe Mini Card, integrated 6-channel HD audio included SPDIF header and legacy feature support with 2 serial headers on board and 1 parallel header on board.

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Bose? Computer MusicMonitor? -- Silver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Notes: I don't work for Bose, and I "paid for" these speakers with AMEX credit card points.

To compare these speakers to 3-piece computer speakers makes no more sense than comparing a computer subwoofer to a high-end audio subwoofer. The only similarity is that they produce sound, with varying levels of fidelity.

I'm comparing the Bose MusicMonitor to the few very small desktop speakers that provide a decent sound. Not necessarily an accurate sound; I've heard systems in the $250,000 range that provide excellent sound -- but it is still not accurate sound. If you're expecting the full sonic equivalent of a 3-piece system, you won't find it in the MusicMonitor. You also won't find the thumpy, tubby overpowering "bass" those cheap subwoofers produce. And in home theaters, all but the very best subwoofers are often paired with infrasonic transducers which, when screwed to the bottom of the floor, can take the output frequency down to 5 Hz or so (and tickle your feet and your butt in the process).

Granted, there's not much low bass so beloved of video explosions and certain types of music. But neither is there the strident blaring that often comes from small speakers whose speakers are driven well past the point of linearity. What the MusicMonitors provide is a well-balanced sonic field I would rate similar to some professional near-field monitors. Being small speakers, they do best in near-field positions - not more than a foot or two from your ears. Still, there's enough clear volume that you can walk around a room and the music won't seem too weak. My impression is that the bass tends to rise slower (maxes out) than the rest of the audio range as volume increases. But at lower volumes there's plenty there to give a good feel of solidity to lower notes. You will not get an extreme dynamic range, but then that's not what they're designed for either.

Some studies in the '50's showed that many people didn't notice the loss of extreme bass as long as their higher harmonics were reasonably loud. I'm sure that's at least a part of what gives these little boxes a sense of weight to music. The mid-and higher ranges all seemed well executed, with none of the stridency I associate with small-diameter speakers forced to do more than their design allowed for.

I was frankly surprised at how much I enjoyed the MusicMonitor's sound. I expected something a little better than the competition; what I heard was an order of magnitude better. They sound very good at my normal listening level and if I turn the volume up for a song that deserves it, I'm not disappointed by that presentation, either.

A fair review would pit the MusicMonitor against a 2-piece speaker the same size. But as far as I can tell, there isn't one. So I'll give the speaker 5 stars based on what it does with what it has. I don't think there's a better very small speaker out there. There are bigger and cheaper ones, but they're not really the same class of speaker I'm reviewing.

The Bose MusicMonitor is an excellent close-field speaker system that produces a broad, relativley flat sound with a wide variety of music. The speakers are unobtrusive, nicely finished, and would look good on any desk. An optional carry case lets you bring them along on a trip to listen to mp3 music in your room.

So, possibly aside from the price, these are definitely 5-star speakers. They play music and audio, in a small package, with no obvious audible distortions or other significant problems. Sure, tradeoffs were made, as they always are in design and manufacturing. But Bose has clearly hit a home run with this little jewel.

If you have reservations about buying and trying one, Bose and Amazon normally have very good return policies, but be sure to check before ordering. If you're looking for something small, look to the MusicMonitor first. You'll quickly see how size, weight, number of components and sound make them an easy first audition choice. You may decide that there's no reason to go on and audit your second choice.

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Product Description:

The Bose? Computer MusicMonitor was developed for the growing number of people who use their computers for personal entertainment--and want accurate, detailed sound from an elegant yet unobtrusive system.
Until now, high quality desktop sound with deep, realistic low tones has come only from large speakers or a three-piece system with a bass module. Our new MusicMonitor is an alternative for serious listeners who prefer a two-piece solution offering performance, simplicity--and more desktop space.
Bose technologies make the difference
This unexpected sound quality is made possible by combining the latest in switching amplifier technology with new, proprietary acoustic design, highly efficient neodymium speakers and Bose digital signal processing.
Together, these technologies allow the MusicMonitor to deliver accurate, full-range sound surprising for its size---ess than 5" high and only 2?" wide.
Desktop elegance
The MusicMonitor is also pleasing to the eye, with a sturdy brushed aluminum casing. Its understated elegance fits nicely almost anywhere in your home.
Try the Bose Computer MusicMonitor for streaming audio and downloads from your laptop or PC, or movies from a portable DVD player. We think you'll find its performance hard to believe from a system this small.
What's in the box
--Two MusicMonitor speakers with attached speaker cable
--power cord
--power pack
--remote control
--audio input cable
--demonstration CD
Computer MusicMonitor also available in black.

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Verbatim Wireless Slim Keyboard and Mouse 96983 (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I installed this keyboard on a computer running Windows 7. No problems with installation, in fact, I did not need the driver disk - Windows found the drivers automatically. The keyboard and mouse also did an automatic connection to the USB receiver. If this doesn't happen, there is a connect button on the keyboard to help facilitate the connection. Even though Windows will find and install the drivers automatically, I would recommend using the installation disk as there are additional features beyond the device drivers.

Inside the box is a wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, a USB receiver, batteries for both the mouse and keyboard, and the driver disk.
The keyboard is about 18" wide by 5?" deep by ?" tall.

After installation, I unplugged my original keyboard, a traditional Microsoft one. I am currently typing on the Verbatim keyboard. I also have a Wacom Intuos4 Medium Pen Tablet and have found no hardware conflicts.

I have some customer images to show how it compares visually next to a traditional keyboard and mouse.

Here's what I like and don't like about the Verbatim Wireless Slim Keyboard:

PROS:
It has a nice weight to it so it will not slide around on a desk too easily.
The keys are nicely responsive. They are smooth and spaced a little apart making it easier to hit the key you want and not the one next to it. Other keyboards have the keys so large with no gaps so that it is easy to hit multiple keys in one stroke.
It is small, not so much in width but in depth. My traditional keyboard is two inches more in depth.
It takes up less desk space and has no cord to get in the way.
The finish is shiny black and smooth, as is the mouse.
The mouse is much shorter in height than my Microsoft mouse. It has a wheel and two buttons.

CONS:

It does not have a feature to raise the board on more of an angle, although as of now, this is not a huge issue. I know that I like my Microsoft keyboard to be on the biggest angle by using the flip out legs.
It does not have a couple of the extra keys that the Microsoft keyboard has like zoom in and zoom out, and some of the shortcuts for opening email etc. However, I do not use these so again, it depends on the way you use your keyboard.Overall, I really like the feel of typing on this keyboard. I would say that between the responsiveness and touch of the keys and the clutter free wireless feature, this is a good buy.

I have to add that after using this for a number of days, I've increased my original review from 4 stars to 5. I really like the way the keys react on the keyboard. They have a really solid feel and I make less typing mistakes than with my old keyboard.

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Product Description:
If you're looking for a keyboard that saves space, try Verbatim's Wireless Slim Keyboard & Mouse. Designed with a piano black finish, this keyboard features low profile keys that provide a crisp, responsive feel when typing. This ultra-slim keyboard offers 2.4 Ghz wireless communication - that means no annoying delays in what you type and what you see on-screen and no cord clutter. If you're in to music, the media console lets you control your favorite tunes directly from the keyboard. With its slim design and a wireless mouse, this keyboard is a perfect space-saver. Package includes: Keyboard, Mouse, Receiver, 2 x AA Batteries, 2 x AAA Batteries, Software CD, Quick Start Guide

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Apex MI-100 4BAY Desktop Blk/Silver 250W ATX12V Mitx Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Update (March 26, 2010):
I bought another one of these for someone else.The case that I have (purchased about a year after my initial review) now comes with 2 SATA power plugs, and both sides now have air vents rather than just one.Overall still very pleased with the case.

Original Post (March 09, 2009):
I bought this case and matched it with a D945GCLF2 MB, 2 GB RAM, 640 GB HD, and a 22x DVD burner, and added an 80mm fan to the vent hole side.Very tight fit, but if you plan things ahead of time you can run the cables where you need them, and tuck them away and tie them off with large twist ties, or small zip ties if you are feeling confident.Go with SATA for both DVD and HD to increase airflow (has only one SATA plug so you need to buy a MOLEX to SATA power adapter for more).I initially had an 80GB SATA and a 40GB IDE drive in the case (made room for the IDE in the open spot below the DVD and 80GB slots so that nothing would block the side vent).Does not seem to run too hot, all readings showed both cores and the HD running at ~38 to ~40 degrees Celsius while crunching DVDs into .WMVs.The case is a fingerprint and scratch magnet, but looks very nice and compact and does not seem too out of place in the living room.

Things I would change:
-Add a spot for a case fan.
-Get rid of the "mirror finish front" and just make it black
-Make it easier to open for upgrades
-2 SATA instead of 1

Things I like:
-Compact
-Place for everything
-Nice black finish
-Sturdy
-Comes with a power supply

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apex MI-100 4BAY Desktop Blk/Silver 250W ATX12V Mitx

Product Description:
With its highest quality construction and stylish design, X Series is versatile to accommodate your personal style and perform extreme needs. It tooled with latest features and case technology. It loaded front USB port & incredible cooling architecture. Come check out this awesome case.

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