Buying a PC Case: Pretty Good Advice

"How to Buy a PC Case"
Matthew Murray, PC World (January 23, 2011 )

"First impressions are the most important, even when it comes to computers. So make sure your PC gives off a good one by using these tips to find the case that looks—and behaves—exactly the way you want it to.

"Unless you're a really serious system builder, chances are that when you think about your desktop computer, you don't think too much about its case. In fact, as long as a few basic requirements are met, everything else is probably pretty much okay: Does it hold all your hardware? Do the buttons and lights work? Are there USB ports on the front? And when it comes right down to it, these aren't minor concerns. More than any other component, the case is so simple that you only have to look at it to know how it works.

"That doesn't mean, however, that there aren't plenty of places to go wrong when deciding which case you want to house your new computer (or the components you already have). Understanding what the case does, how it works, and why it's designed the way it is will help you make smart buying choices...."

The article starts out with "Pick the Right Size and Shape," which may not be as obvious as it seems.

It's fairly short, not overly-laden with technical jargon, and seems intended for folks who know enough about computers to tell when they've got one that suits their needs - but not so much that they know why it's a bad idea to put an ATX motherboard in a microATX case. (Mr. Murray tells why.)

Somewhat-related posts:

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• "Lemming Tracks: New Computer!"
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• "These Toshiba Computers are Hot - Literally"
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• "Microsoft; XP; Support; Marketing, Smart and Otherwise"
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• "Strange New Keyboards"
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