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Black Qmicra Pics
- Thread starter mattro
- Start date
They look pretty nice.
Images up on www.sffclub.com
Images up on www.sffclub.com
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2005
- Messages
- 4,658
Steeeeve as you know, I have found my next case. I just need to pick me up a Black Aluminum Drive Cover.
thespymaster
Gawd
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2002
- Messages
- 666
Personally...I think they're ugly...its a shame too 'cause the inside looks very well laid out... 
Zap [PCGO]
Limp Gawd
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2003
- Messages
- 385
thespymaster said:Personally...I think they're ugly...its a shame too 'cause the inside looks very well laid out...
Well, I wouldn't say "ugly". At least, it doesn't sport the "outdated looking" floppy slot centered right below the optical slot a la hornet's layout.(just my opinion...) Although, the face plate (or the component factor of the face plate) leaves me with a little more to desire.
Maybe they ought to include front USB ports at least. I find that a very practical thing to have and use.
I'm also quite impressed at the interior layout and construction design. The quality of construction and how well it works with lots of mobile use is another factor.
EDIT: I have just noticed the big and un-hidden reset switch. Could that pose an issue of accidental reset? (not trying to pick at the case as I like its elegant design, just i'm looking at the practical side of things)
I have a Lian Li temp monitor in black aluminum slated for the 3 1/2 bay and black anodized aluminum bay covers (mesh or solid) from my Lian Li V1000B and SG01B that will try with the black Qmicra as well as the silver covers. I realy like the mixed color scheme!
People always used to complain about the ARIA's grey/black scheme. Myself included!dworley said:I realy like the mixed color scheme!
Looks a bit better than I thought. Styling reminds me of a NES. However, those handles are even going to be harsher with the hard corners.
Man! I look at those shots and kick myself for not waiting. I like the Silverstone Evo box but damn! both the internal layout and overal fit and finish just look sweet to me on this case. I'll tough it out with the SG01 but if that price drops on the Qmicra then...
-E
-E
I think the case is certainly in the right direction. However, it isn't nearly as far as it could be.
There are number of areas where I think improvements can be made, including:
- Small improvements to the performance/noise
- Improving the quality of the airflow
- Certainly improving the airflow to the hardrives
- Lack of USB/frontport devices
- Appearance (while even in black it is probably not something that most people would say would 'fit' in their living room)
Other areas I think should be re-examined is:
- Reducing the cost of production (eg $300 for many is arguably too much no matter how good the case is)
Overall, I'd happily say the case is a big step in the right direction regards cooling and airflow but the airflow is not universally applied (talking hardrives), while other areas that are more questionable are its appearance, lack of front USB etc, and most significantly the costs of the product/business.
The guy is clearly someone who had a good idea and has run with it - anyone who does that should be commend, given respect and encouraged. However, ignoring smaller echnical improvements the cost vs business strategy seems quite imperfect in that it seems very unlikely to be able to be competitive against the other cases (and indeed future cases coming out) or ever to become so. Outside of a small number of enthusiasts it is unlikely to sell well enough to overcome its huge price tag and start getting proper market traction. The 'toolbox' appearance may turn many people off while the high costs will never be able to match its competitors who benefit from economies of scale ontop of likely lower costs of manufacturing as they are done in cheaper manufacturing centres outside the USA. In fact, to my mind it seems likely that the case will be copied and reproduced much more cheaply elsewhere. Outside of that, the company seems amateur as the tone here and on their website implies a lack of professionalism (the manner of coming to (and getting banned from) this forum would seem to indicate that - a a company starting out perhaps thats not unexpected but lack of professionalism (marketing & business practice) is something that kills many start-ups.
There are number of areas where I think improvements can be made, including:
- Small improvements to the performance/noise
- Improving the quality of the airflow
- Certainly improving the airflow to the hardrives
- Lack of USB/frontport devices
- Appearance (while even in black it is probably not something that most people would say would 'fit' in their living room)
Other areas I think should be re-examined is:
- Reducing the cost of production (eg $300 for many is arguably too much no matter how good the case is)
Overall, I'd happily say the case is a big step in the right direction regards cooling and airflow but the airflow is not universally applied (talking hardrives), while other areas that are more questionable are its appearance, lack of front USB etc, and most significantly the costs of the product/business.
The guy is clearly someone who had a good idea and has run with it - anyone who does that should be commend, given respect and encouraged. However, ignoring smaller echnical improvements the cost vs business strategy seems quite imperfect in that it seems very unlikely to be able to be competitive against the other cases (and indeed future cases coming out) or ever to become so. Outside of a small number of enthusiasts it is unlikely to sell well enough to overcome its huge price tag and start getting proper market traction. The 'toolbox' appearance may turn many people off while the high costs will never be able to match its competitors who benefit from economies of scale ontop of likely lower costs of manufacturing as they are done in cheaper manufacturing centres outside the USA. In fact, to my mind it seems likely that the case will be copied and reproduced much more cheaply elsewhere. Outside of that, the company seems amateur as the tone here and on their website implies a lack of professionalism (the manner of coming to (and getting banned from) this forum would seem to indicate that - a a company starting out perhaps thats not unexpected but lack of professionalism (marketing & business practice) is something that kills many start-ups.
Wait, do you have one of these cases diasper? If you do that's fine but otherwise how on earth can you comment on the noise, airflow, and performance? Perhaps your website uses a multi-million dollar sound lab like mine does. As for appearance...it seems like you are in the minority, but like all cases, everyone has their personal tastes. You then talk about his business model like you used to work for the company. Get real.
Steeeeve said:Wait, do you have one of these cases diasper? If you do that's fine but otherwise how on earth can you comment on the noise, airflow, and performance? Perhaps your website uses a multi-million dollar sound lab like mine does. As for appearance...it seems like you are in the minority, but like all cases, everyone has their personal tastes. You then talk about his business model like you used to work for the company. Get real.
Well, not many people have these cases and that's a problem - the more a company sells the lower their cost and the greater the number of people liking it and hopefully recommending it all leadering to more market traction and sales.
I actually commended the noise, airflow and performance. It's a big step up from the Qpack and its emulations. I'm sure your tests in your sound lab will concur. However, the main comment on airflow is that the airflow to the hard drives is is not as good as does not match up the general great airflow seen in the rest of case. Comparatively, it isn't much of improvement over the Qpack. What I'm really saying is that good can be done better. Perhaps I will use sketchup to design what I mean - it'll have to be in a couple of months as I don't have enough free time to do so now.
About appearance, I actually don't think I am in a minority given the numerous other comments I've read. Perhaps describing it as an 80s toolbox is harsh but the design isn't what it should be eg. the proportion of questioning comments on the looks of the Qmicra is far higher than the other cases. The issue as I see it is that SFF is in a sense a fashion trend (small and chic) and as such the market is much more demanding and places a greater priority on appearance than the typical ATX case crowd (and are willing to pay for it). If we are to believe Intel and Microsoft the next big growth area is in media boxes in the living room and if this case is looking to target that market I suspect it may not find ready acceptance. Consequently, any comments about appearance should absolutely *not* be dismissed lightly - especially when the case is selling for such a premium and is likely to continue to do so.
On the business side of things, all I'll say is that the company is as yet young but the general tone that I have seen has not been professional - if you compare it to other corporate websites and marketing then it is all too apparent. Of course, things can change - businesses grow up, but, as for the moment, this is true. More particularly, on the business model it doesn't need a guru to see that the current business strategy of high costs for a very high price and thus selling few units is a risky one to pursue for a startup lacking the brand image and consumer awareness. High manufacturing costs and selling at high prices is always a risky strategy as it means market traction will be slower - momentum and strong cashflow will take longer to get going. This is all at the same time as fixed costs, salaries etc have to be met and are often comparatively higher for a startup.
I hope that explains my take on things a little more clearly. Relax eh
What kind of sound levels are you looking for? I just tested that Micro Fly which has an 80mm fan and a 120mm fan with a noise level of 32dB. Considering the padded room had a noise level of 21.2dB and most of the sound was around the 200-400Hz range, this is very quiet. Perhaps you prefer no fans but this is not possible with a SFF.
The Qpack runs about a 30dB by the way.
I suspect the Qmicra to range around 32-35dB making it a little louder than the 120mm fans. To put things in perspective...10dB increase is considered "double" the sound or twice as loud. 80mm fans also have a higher frequency noise. The 120mm fan has 200Hz noise while the 80mm is around the 350Hz range. A human talks between 1kHz and 4kHz.