Test: Aopen Aeolus G325

Konklusion

Kabinettet er poppet og fremfusende i sit design. Konstruktionen er en anelse alternativ, en tid hvor de fleste Small Form Factor kabinetter ligner forvoksede DVD-afspillere. Som en HTPC vil jeg mene at den ville være flot i en dagligstue med meget elektronisk udstyr. Den sorte og sølv farve betyder at kabinettet vil passe fint ind i mellem ens almene elektronik. Den har dog en anderledes form, og egner sig derfor ikke til at stable, som det ellers ofte er tilfældet med den slags udstyr. Jeg ville nok foretrække at lade lyset forblive slukket hvis den skulle bruges i min dagligstue.

Som gaming-PC vil den helt sikkert få dine venner til at kigge en ekstra gang. Kabinettet er særpræget i forhold til de fleste spille-PC'er, og størrelsen gør den let at transportere. Den eneste begrænsning er selvfølgelig den manglende plads. Hvis man vil installere mere end et optisk drev, og to harddiskdrev ville man blive nød til at være kreativ med installationen. Dertil kommer udstyr som f.eks. blæserstyring der normalt vil optage en 5½" drevplads. Vandkøling og andre ekstravagante køleløsninger er nok også udelukket.

Innovation/teknologi:
Aopen vælger en lidt anderledes rute for G325 end for de fleste andre kabinetter. Kabinettet er på den måde innovativ nok. Konstruktionen er middelmådig, og enkelte steder kunne installationen af de aftagelige rammer have være mere gennemført. F.eks. ville jeg have sat pris på at skulle bruge færre skruer. En score på 3.

Bundle/tilbehør:
Det medfølgende bundle er meget begrænset. Der er dog alt det grundlæggende man kan forvente af et kabinet. En score på 3.

Design/layout:
Kabinettet falder måske ikke i alles smag, men jeg mener alligevel at det er et for de fleste attraktivt kabinet. En front af aluminium i stedet for plastik havde dog hjulpet gevaldigt. I forhold til hvor lille et kabinet det er, er layoutet generelt gennemtænkt. Problemet med installation af strømforsyning trækker ned. Endnu en score på 3.

Pris:
Kabinettet koster lige knap 450 KR. Dette er dog uden strømforsyning. Prisen skal selvfølgelig vejes imod kvalitet og funktionalitet af kabinettet. Hvis man vil have et flashy kabinet er det absolut en lille pris. En score på 4.

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UK Summary

The design of the case is quite flashy and youthful in its appearance. The construction is somewhat different from what you usually see, as most small form factor cases look like DVD-players on testosterone. As a Home Theater PC I could definitely envision this case as part of the electronic setup of a modern living room. The black & silver colour makes the case blend in with most generic consumer electronics. The non-standard design makes it difficult to stack though, as is custom with many such cases. As a HTPC I would leave the lights on the front off.

As a gaming rig, it is guaranteed to make your friends look twice. The case is distinctive in contrast to most other gaming-oriented cases. The size makes transportation easy. The only obvious limit, is of course the lack of space inside the case. If you wish to expand upon the single optical drive, and two harddrives, you would be forced to get creative with the installation. On top of regular hardware, many gaming-rigs include things such as fan-control, which would occupy a 5½" drive bay. Watercooling or other extravagant cooling-solutions are out of the question as well.

Innovation / Technology
Aopen has chosen a slightly different route for the G325, than for most other cases. In this regard, the innovation of the case is fair. The quality of the construction is mediocre, and some of the removable frames installation-procedures could have been improved upon. I would definitely have appreciated having to use fewer screws. A score of 3 is given in this category.

Bundle / Accessories
The enclosed bundle is fairly limited. It does include the basics of what to expect of a computer case. A score of 3!

Design / Layout
As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I would think the case to be attractive to most people. An aluminium front, as opposed to plastic, would have made the case even more welcome in the living room. For a case this small, the inside layout is generally well thought out. Problems installing the power supply unit weigh down my enthusiasm with the design. Another score of 3 is given.

Price:
The price of the case is approximately 450 DKK. This does not include a power supply though. You have to weigh price against quality and functionality, but if you are in the market for a flashy case, the price is easy to overcome. A score of 4 in this category.