P182 Special Edition - One of the best cases gets better
by Joshua Buss on April 12, 2007 1:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Final Words
Evolution and innovation drive all fronts of technology, and in the computer case business that translates into a constant battle for finding a perfect blend of functional usefulness, aesthetic acceptance, performance in regards to both temperatures and sound levels, and pricing to match competitors' similar offerings. Antec has already found great success with the original P180 and for years to come it will be a desktop case others are measured against. Its creative use of plastic, aluminum, and steel translated into some of the lowest noise levels yet on a desktop PC case without changing it at all from the way it comes out of the box.
At first appearance, there might not be much attracting a potential purchaser of a PC enclosure to the P182 SE over Antec's other offerings aside from the out-of-this-world paint job, but the work/showcase spotlight might be just the kind of accessory which nudges an interested party over the edge to choose it over the normal gunmetal gray P182. Choices are always good though, and in this sense the P182 and P182 SE make great additions to Antec's line.
The "vanilla" P182 is a nice choice; for around $170 online one can get almost all the same features as the case we reviewed, with a still very attractive dark gray finish. For the user who demands the "best", the P182 SE's still-killer noise performance - one of the best in its class - is available with the addition of the flexible work light, all black interior, and super-shiny mirror finish for a pretty substantial increase in price.. we've seen the P182 SE available for around $230 online. The special edition will be a limited offering, however, so if having the ability to see your reflection on the surface of your case is something you've always wanted, you'll want to jump on it as soon as it's available - but be aware of the fact that it's going to leave a bit of a dent in your wallet.
Evolution and innovation drive all fronts of technology, and in the computer case business that translates into a constant battle for finding a perfect blend of functional usefulness, aesthetic acceptance, performance in regards to both temperatures and sound levels, and pricing to match competitors' similar offerings. Antec has already found great success with the original P180 and for years to come it will be a desktop case others are measured against. Its creative use of plastic, aluminum, and steel translated into some of the lowest noise levels yet on a desktop PC case without changing it at all from the way it comes out of the box.
At first appearance, there might not be much attracting a potential purchaser of a PC enclosure to the P182 SE over Antec's other offerings aside from the out-of-this-world paint job, but the work/showcase spotlight might be just the kind of accessory which nudges an interested party over the edge to choose it over the normal gunmetal gray P182. Choices are always good though, and in this sense the P182 and P182 SE make great additions to Antec's line.
The "vanilla" P182 is a nice choice; for around $170 online one can get almost all the same features as the case we reviewed, with a still very attractive dark gray finish. For the user who demands the "best", the P182 SE's still-killer noise performance - one of the best in its class - is available with the addition of the flexible work light, all black interior, and super-shiny mirror finish for a pretty substantial increase in price.. we've seen the P182 SE available for around $230 online. The special edition will be a limited offering, however, so if having the ability to see your reflection on the surface of your case is something you've always wanted, you'll want to jump on it as soon as it's available - but be aware of the fact that it's going to leave a bit of a dent in your wallet.
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Spanki - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - link
Yep... I mentioned that ^ up there already :). I got the hybrid case as well back in March (others reported getting it since late Feb.). The primary difference, as far as I can tell is that it's black, instead of the new gun-metal grey of the 'regular' P182.i4mt3hwin - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - link
Is there any other differences between the P182SE vs the P182 besides the finish? I'm really not into flashy looking cases but the features described in the article def appeal to me as I'm looking to buy a new case.Deusfaux - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - link
and the cable routing features behind it? They didnt even install the PSU that way or take advantage of them, and its a hell of a rat's nest in their install picture.Anyways I already have a P182SE on order to replace my P180
BPB - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - link
May I ask from where you ordered it? The http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...">Newegg price is so high.classy - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - link
The P180 series is flat butt ugly.Spanki - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - link
It's the classiest case on the market today. I'm guessing you're one of those winky-blinky, windows and neon type of guys :).strikeback03 - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - link
They're classy with the door closed. IMO doors make cases pretty much useless though, and the front of the case inside the door is nothing special.yacoub - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - link
I love my Antec P150 (now also available as the SOLO (no included PSU)). I've had it since they were first available a little over a year ago and it's been an excellent case. An assortment of nice quiet/silencing features, a good amount of room inside for a "mini" tower, and what seem to be very good quality parts.If anyone is looking at the 180 or 182 and wishing there was something a bit smaller, definitely look at the P150 or the SOLO.
Icepick - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - link
Agreed. The Solo is easily my favorite case and that's what I chose to house my Core2Duo build this past October. The silencing features, cable management and appearance make it the best case out there.jpeyton - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - link
Antec made notable changes regarding cable management for the P182, particularly the design of the motherboard tray. Specifically, there are cut-outs in the tray for routing cables behind the tray between different compartments, and there is more room behind the tray to allow for thicker cables (like a 20/24-pin ATX PSU connector).I would think such important differences between the P182 and the P180 should be touched upon in the article; perhaps you could even incorporate some of the cable routing features into your "Installation" portion of the article?