Cooling Performance
ABIT NF7-S nForce 2: Athlon XP 2500+, Asetek WaterChill Cooling kit, 2 x 256MB OCZ Platinum PC3200 Ram, MSI FX5700-Ultra 128, 80GB Maxtor, Windows XP SP1.
The comparison case for the Super Lanboy will be the original Antec Lanboy. Their sizes are similar, though the stock case fans (which we will not be changing) differ. Since we'll be using the Asetek WaterChill and it doesn't fit in any available fan bay on the Lanboy, it will be placed in three available 5.25" slots. I inverted the fan on the radiator to take the air in. Therefore, we have three 120mm fans on the Super Lanboy, and two 80mm plus one 120mm on the Lanboy.
Case Temperatures in °C
| Lanboy |
33 |
| Super Lanboy |
32 |
Though the system is water cooled, low case temperatures are still important. The larger stock fans on the Super Lanboy are enough for a 1°C difference in its favor.
Final Words
This is not a case you'll find at ACME Generic Computer Resellers (Ed. Note: I made that name up, so don't bother looking it up). Though it isn't a revolutionary redesign, it does improve on a lot of the original Lanboy's shortcomings. The new 120mm fans are a welcome addition, as is the redesigned storage compartment for extra screws and small tools.
There aren't many problems with the case, but there are a few issues that stand out in my opinion. The plastic rivets used to secure the side case window are not a good choice by Antec. Sure, they look like chrome, but in the end, they are still made of plastic. Metal would have been a better choice, and much more secure. Speaking about the side panel, they are a pain in the ass to remove. The front door will most certainly cause problems with devices that protrude from the front of the case, keeping it from fully closing. Having no PSU is also a bit of a downer, since Antec makes good power supplies, but this will save the customer money. Finally, and we've harped on Antec about this in the past, a slide-out motherboard tray would be a welcome addition to future revisions of this product line.
Other than the problems outlined above, we found this to be an excellent case for its intended market. It's very light, and the carry strap makes it easy to transport. The large fans do a great job at cooling without the noise of smaller, faster spinning fans, and can accommodate most water cooling setups. Typical Antec quality makes this a case you won't be disappointed with.
Pros: Lightweight, and compact. Side window, carrying strap, 120mm fans.
Cons: Cheap side window rivets, some 5.25" component issues, hard to slide off the side window panel.
Bottom Line: A well designed case, with a few minor flaws, the Super Lanboy gets our recommendation if you're in the market for a portable case that has some expansion potential.
You can pick this case up at , or about 106$ USD.
If you have any comments, be sure to hit us up in our forums.
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