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
Introduction
Antec has been around a long time in the case industry, and as such they've learned how to do many things exceptionally well. If any sweeping statements could be made about their approach to product design, we would have to say that they always seem to aim right in the middle of marrying current demands for popular aesthetics with pushing the envelope implementing new ideas and features. This approach keeps their cases one step ahead of most of the competition - even at their competitive price points.
This balanced approach has been a great strategy for Antec and a few other case manufacturers for quite some time, but when Antec decided to be a little riskier than normal with their incredibly monolithic P180, they hit a sweet spot in the hearts of a lot of enthusiasts. With the themed and windowed cases that used to be so popular really just coming across as gimmicky to many PC builders, the P180's simplistic styling was a breath of fresh air. It was a bit of a stretch designing something so void of any character, but the design was combined with a few revolutionary yet fundamentally very simple functional characteristics. In the end, the case's fresh look helped it quickly rise to a level of popularity rarely seen in the computer case market.
Like any good manufacturer, Antec knew when they had something special on their hands. In addition to the regular silver P180, they released a black version of the case to a select few stores shortly after the original's release. Now as a follow up they have made an upgraded version of the case, coated it in a dark gunmetal gray finish, and dubbed it the P182. Additionally, they have simultaneously launched a Special Edition version which literally shines with a stunning mirror finish. Functionally, both P182 cases offer several compelling reasons to make them serious candidates for anyone's next desktop computer, either for their own unique look or their improvements in a few small areas. For our purposes Antec has sent us a Special Edition to review, but it only offers one more feature than the 'stock' P182 other than its shiny paint job, and that's just a special flexible interior spot light, so for all practical purposes this can be considered a review of the standard edition as well.
More information on the Antec P182 and P182SE can be found on Antec's website.
Antec has been around a long time in the case industry, and as such they've learned how to do many things exceptionally well. If any sweeping statements could be made about their approach to product design, we would have to say that they always seem to aim right in the middle of marrying current demands for popular aesthetics with pushing the envelope implementing new ideas and features. This approach keeps their cases one step ahead of most of the competition - even at their competitive price points.
This balanced approach has been a great strategy for Antec and a few other case manufacturers for quite some time, but when Antec decided to be a little riskier than normal with their incredibly monolithic P180, they hit a sweet spot in the hearts of a lot of enthusiasts. With the themed and windowed cases that used to be so popular really just coming across as gimmicky to many PC builders, the P180's simplistic styling was a breath of fresh air. It was a bit of a stretch designing something so void of any character, but the design was combined with a few revolutionary yet fundamentally very simple functional characteristics. In the end, the case's fresh look helped it quickly rise to a level of popularity rarely seen in the computer case market.
Like any good manufacturer, Antec knew when they had something special on their hands. In addition to the regular silver P180, they released a black version of the case to a select few stores shortly after the original's release. Now as a follow up they have made an upgraded version of the case, coated it in a dark gunmetal gray finish, and dubbed it the P182. Additionally, they have simultaneously launched a Special Edition version which literally shines with a stunning mirror finish. Functionally, both P182 cases offer several compelling reasons to make them serious candidates for anyone's next desktop computer, either for their own unique look or their improvements in a few small areas. For our purposes Antec has sent us a Special Edition to review, but it only offers one more feature than the 'stock' P182 other than its shiny paint job, and that's just a special flexible interior spot light, so for all practical purposes this can be considered a review of the standard edition as well.
More information on the Antec P182 and P182SE can be found on Antec's website.
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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?