Date: January 28th, 2004
Article by: Roger (Hardware Reviewer)
Edited by: Nathan Glentworth (Owner, Head Editor & Hardware Reviewer)
Product was donated by: Athenatech
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PRODUCT COMPOSITION & PICTORIAL (cont'd)

There she is. In addition to the foam on either side, the case is also protected from a plastic film which surrounds it. My first impressions are very positive. As I've said, I was very pleased with the A100SC, and the A106 is all that and more. Whereas the A100SC is more bland in color, the A106 jumps out at you with its silver cover, LCD and side (or top, depending on how you align the case) window. As an entertainment or server box, this case would rule.

Upon opening the case, you'll find the rest of the accessories. There is a power cable, a bag of screws and standoffs, sticky pads and instructions. The steel construction, due to the case's size, is not an issue. So the case is quite sturdy, yet still fairly light.

Unlike the A100SC, the A106 did not come with a stand. Instead, it includes four small rubber soles which you can stick on the case (either on the bottom or the side, depending on how you want to align your case). Personally, I do not like this one bit. The A100SC stand allows me much greater flexibility, and if I decide to change how the case is placed, it's as easy as moving the stand. With the A106, I'll have to peel these sticky pads off and hop they don't damage the case in the process.

You can see that the design of the case is unassuming, instead of cluttered.

There is a stealth CD-ROM bay cover so that you don't have to go out and buy a black or silver device.

The floppy is also hidden behind a sliding door (just under my fingers). I especially like this feature. It's nice being able to hide that floppy drive.

To the left of my hand, you can see that the front access to the audio jacks and 2 USB ports is hidden behind another hinged door.