When You Want Your Computer To Sneak Up On You...

Product: B2
Manufacturer: InWin
MSRP: $140

I’ve actually had this case for a couple weeks now but I had to order some new parts to put it to use (or gut my existing 79lbs gaming rig… which I was not up to doing). On top of that, I like to give computer hardware a 72 hour burn-in period where I let the unit run for 72 hours straight, no breaks, no rest, just running at peak level for 72 hours. Being a computer case one would think this is an unnecessary task, but the B2 actually has a lot of bells and whistles that needed scrutinizing. And scrutinize I did.

Out of the box I can tell you the B2 is a sleek looking PC case. Compete with Stealth Fighter/Bomber caution stickers, intake vents, and an automatic front panel that lifts itself when the touch sensitive button is grazed. Open the case up and you’ll see even more to look at with the veritable cornucopia of fans and specialised rails for mounting your drives. The question that begs asking is whether or not the case if worth the price. That’s an answer that is definitely going to change from user to user.

I am old enough to remember when home computers didn’t have aesthetic options. To paraphrase Henry Ford, “You could have your computer case in any colour you wanted as long as it was beige”. However, things have definitely changed. People trick their computer cases out as much as they do their homes and cars. As computers have permeated themselves into just about every aspect of our lives it only stands to reason that the bloody things should look nice when in a visible location in our homes.

Now, the variance between users will show itself here. Some like LED lightshows on their computers while other like case mods that make their computer stylish and elegant. For this I would have to say the B2 actually falls under a bit of both categories. While it’s not covered in LEDs, very little in the way of modification would be needed to light this sucker up more than the Las Vegas Strip. But if that is not your cup of tea, the matte black, seamless look of the case will work for you right out of the box.

From a functionality stand-point, the B2 offers a lot of benefits but tacks on a few flaws as well. Right off the bat you’ll note just how easy it is to get into the case, install your parts, and get going. Let me pause to note that the instructions sent out with the case are fairly worthless. Sorry InWin, but I have to call them as I see them. There’re a few key features that aren’t clearly covered in the manual for the case that really need to be. There was a little too much concern in cramming as many images and languages onto the folding manual (which reminded me of a road map from AAA) for my taste when some basic points needed to be overlooked.

There are enough fans in the case to just about make the sucker take flight. With current gaming rig’s heat requirements that is a plus for the B2. As seen in the image below the two side fans are massive. Much to my surprise the fan closest to the front of the case can actually swing out 90 degrees to offer even more cooling to your video cards. This is definitely a nice feature. Another lovely little feature is that there’s actually an air filter on the side of the case from which these fans draw their air. Novel concept, I know! Personally, I open my cases monthly and clear then out of dust and debris that is drawn in by the cooling systems and I just have to wonder why more cases don’t include the air filters.

At first, the dual fan assembly might look like to would get in the way of working on your computer’s components, but it actually has two ways to remove itself from your workspace. The first is that it simply swings down flat towards you with the flip of one lock and click of one button. However, if that’s not enough to get it out of the way (which you will need to do when installed your motherboard), you can simply swing it forward and slide it to the side on its hinges and it will remove itself entirely from the case. Honestly, I wish more case manufacturers would put this kind of detail and thought into their products.

I’d really like to take a moment and thank the design team at InWin for removing most of the sharp edges inside the case. I have long held the belief of a conspiracy between case manufacturers and the Band-Aid Brand. Over the years, and probably 1000s of computers I have worked on, I’ve probably spilled enough blood to give myself a full transfusion due to sharp case edges placed at the worst possible spots.

Now, the B2 is a mid-tower case. For those of you who are looking to cram 10 optical drives and 10 HDD into your computer, the B2 is simply not for you. However, if you are just looking for a mid-sized computer case to house your rig and you’d like something that looks sleek, the B2 is something you should take a look at. The case specs are decent enough for a mid-tower case:

Size: Mid-Tower
Material: Unique Dark Metallic Plastic Panels 0.8mm Japanese Steel
External Drive Bays: 4 x 5.25”, 2 x 3.5”
Internal Drive Bars: 5 x 3.5”
Front Ports: eSATA x 2, USB 2.0 x 2, IEEE 1394a, HD/AC’ 97 Audio
Dimensions: H- 17.1”, W- 9.3”, D- 20.7”
Motherboard: ATX or mATX
I/O Expansion Slots: 7 x PCI/AGP
Power Supply: ATX 12v, PSII
Thermal Solution: Smart-3D, UniductTM 12cm Ceramic Fans on Front and Rear, VGA Turbo Cooling System w/8cm Side Ceramic Fans x 2, Water-Cooling Support
Safety: Meets RoHS, CE, and FCC Class B Reqs
Security: Padlock Loop

For the most part, everything you’ll ever need in a Mid-Tower case and then some.

Now the real question is how well this puppy is put together and does it work well. The short answer would be yes, but there’re definitely some details that need to be added. If you’re like me and your case arrives packed the same way, you might have to dig around a bit to find the standard 4-pin power connector for the front door panel. For me, it was stuffed behind the 5.25” drive assembly and I had to take the other side panel off to get to it. The case looks fantastic, but I will tell you now that its finish is fragile. It won’t take much to scrape or scratch the B2 is you’re not careful. Last, but not least, my biggest complaint is actually with one of the selling features for the case: The automatic front panel door.

It’s not that it doesn’t work, it does; too well, as a matter of fact. The touch sensitive button to open the front panel is far too sensitive for what it is placed. Sitting right next to the power button it takes nothing more than the slightest graze and voila, your case is opening up. This is probably the single most disappointing design flaw in the B2’s concept. It was a good idea that went sour just because of bad placement. The button to open the panel should have been placed in its own area to avoid accidental activation.

Overall, though, the case is pretty clean in design. The automatic front panel can be opened manually by the flip of a hidden switch on the side which does resemble something you would see on an F-117A Stealth Fighter. The 2 USB, 2 eSATA, and Fireware ports are all hidden nicely on the side by a small door that can be opened or closed at your leisure. My biggest concern for some users is that the case uses a proprietary rail system for mounting drives, which is included in the case sitting in the lower most 5.2” drive slot. If you attempt to mount a 5.25” drive or 3.5” drive without using the rails you will have a gap on one side. However, these don’t really take too much to figure out… but those instructions weren’t the most helpful.

The Review

Design:

The B2 is hands-down one of my favourite looking computer case designs. Might I add, one that I am happy to have gracing my home office. The automated panel door is a fun “bell and whistle” added to authenticate the feel of a Stealth machine. The matte black finish is nice since it doesn’t show fingerprints like its glossy cousins. The blue LED mounted just above the 5.25” drive bays can be seen active with the front panel up, giving the case that little extra something it needed to look high-tech.

I’d also like to mention that the system used to removing the side panels has to be one of the easiest and most user-friendly systems I have come across in a long time. Latches, not screws, I love the idea!

Cost:

It’s a bit pricier than a lot of users will want to spend on a Mid-tower case, but you definitely get your money’s worth in aesthetics with the B2. You really are paying for enhanced design and the B2 does offer enhanced design.

Functionality:

Here’s where I nit-pick a little. Functionality is the application of the previous categories. Does the design work for the cost? For the most part I will say yes. However, I listed a few concerns when it comes to the front panel and the rail system. Advanced PC users will have no issue, but beginners might find some of the set-up inside the B2 a little confusing at first.

The Good:

Fantastic looks are certainly something that the B2 has going for it. If you want a sleek computer case in which to house your rig, you’ll be pretty pleased with the B2.

The Bad:

The price-point is a tad high compared to the B2’s competition out there. I’d honestly have to say that it would use a $30 or so price drop.

The instructions sent with the unit are as close to useless as you can get without actually being useless.

The Ugly:

The touch sensitivity of the front panel door system is far too hyper-active for my taste.

Overall:

It’s a great case that offers you a lot for your money. Does it offer you “enough” for your money? Well that’s up to you. This sort of case is a “love it or hate it” case from the moment the user lays eyes and hands upon it. As I said, I am more than happy to have this little, sleek monster displayed in my home office (remember, I say little because it is sitting next to a 79lbs gaming rig).

Final Vote: 7.5/10