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What a long, strange trip it's been. Ten years ago, most computer chassis were plain beige enclosures, barely worth mentioning. But over the years, manufacturers have been adding features: better materials, more fans, toolless drive bays, side windows, cable-routing cutouts, airflow ducts. And where they've faltered, modders have picked up the pace. Today's sub-$100 cases have features that weren't seen on the fanciest cases five years ago, and thing are only looking up. In the wake of the new case roundup we posted earlier this week, let's step back in time and look at some of the coolest cases of yesteryear, arranged by the month they were featured in the magazine.
This is by no means an exhaustive list; let us know your personal favorites in the comments section.
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emzfrendcrisis
June 20, 2011 at 1:00pm
No HP blackbird? Although it was at first just a HP case, they did sell some to the public (as far as I know, one of the dream machines rested in one).
JohnMD1022
June 20, 2011 at 6:16am
A few seconds each, with Photoshop Elements or something similar, adjusting Brightness/Contrast of each photo would have been a great improvement
compguytracy
June 17, 2011 at 2:57pm
July 2004, If it was so frickin heavy, why a kick ass then? and really, no alienware cases???
xXSINS OF WARXx
June 17, 2011 at 12:16pm
I am in love with corsair's obsidian series, specifically the 650D. It is definitely the chassis for my next build, unless they make an 850D.
reimermatt
June 17, 2011 at 6:25am
I have a lan boy air and my god i love it. My next case I am using for my next computer is a antec skeleton. Any questions hit me up reimermatt@gmail.com
warptek2010
June 17, 2011 at 12:21am
Maybe not everyones cup of tea but I love my Azza Hurrican. So roomy and a really cool stealth fighter vibe going for it.
ChatterboxChuck
June 17, 2011 at 9:01am
Had never heard of the Azza Hurrican, I think I may have just found my next PC case. Thanks.
athlon11
June 16, 2011 at 10:33pm
No Cooler Master Wave Master, none of the Alienware or Voodoo cases? No HP Raven case? There are a lot of cool cases in this list but also a lot that were left out.
stinger608
June 17, 2011 at 9:10pm
Agreed!!! And didn't even mention the HAF series?????? 932, 922, or the 912? What gives there MPC?
Torqumada286
June 16, 2011 at 8:08pm
I like my Gigabyte 3d Aurora 570
http://www.pcforce.co.nz/images/aurora570.jpg
Cooketh
June 16, 2011 at 7:38pm
I still use the Xaser series from Thermaltake. Heavy as hell, but the most heavy duty case on earth. It's a tank.
aferrara50
June 16, 2011 at 7:37pm
How were Mountain Mods, Danger Den, Little Devil, and Case labs left out of this? The rest are budget crap comparatively plus the level 10 is an awful enthusiast platform.
MattyMattMatt
June 16, 2011 at 6:57pm
Are all these cases supposed to be good, because they certainly aren't. Lanboy Air? One of the worst in the world. Phantom? Plastic heaven lulz.
I was hoping for an actual evolution, like showing old cases from 20 years ago. I remember those horrors and was looking to relive the cut fingers.
ChatterboxChuck
June 17, 2011 at 6:58am
I actually thought this article would be about how the case features changed and what we might see in future cases. Instead I got a bunch of pictures with too short descriptions on most (nothing on some) that never really gave much of an idea as to why these were evolutions at all.
Not sure whats the deal with Maximum PC writers but I am starting to notice their articles get smaller, weaker and barely worth reading every day. I could have written a better piece.
I am also impressed the Haf X wasn't even mentioned. You want evolution, that case is definitely fits the concept together with the Thermaltake Level 10 and Level 10 GT.
rawrnomnom
June 16, 2011 at 6:41pm
after building in the thermaltake v series cases for a couple customers... i can honestly say i will never buy or reccomend them again. little to no space for cable management. and poor airflow for their size, there are way better cases out there. Now the corsair cases...
*drool*
Silverstone has some nice cases for their budget line now too...
Omegasupreme80
June 16, 2011 at 5:03pm
I'm a fan of the Cooler Master HAF 922, but I have to admit, the Corsair 650D intrigues me...
