Product Listing

3R System R240 (Zion) Casing

By Vincent Chang - 22 Oct 2007

Conclusion

Conclusion

From what we have seen of its products online, 3R System does show some promise, especially with its LCD equipped HTPC chassis models. The fact that the company has quite a diversified product lineup is another reason why we'll probably be seeing more of this brand in the future. Locally, distributor Digital Hub (part of Ban Leong Technologies) will be bringing in more of such chassis from 3R System, so that's where you should start looking if you're interested in its designs.

A mostly generic chassis with the added LCD display to inject some flair, the 3R System R240 is suitable for someone looking for a simple yet interesting chassis.

As for the R240 Zion, the highlight of this chassis is its exterior LCD display. No doubt, such displays are not that unique today, but its not everyday you see a mainstream chassis with such utility built in. For a simple chassis like the R240, the LCD is a nice touch, reporting certain information that some users would appreciate. Personally, we liked the uptime indicator, which tells us how long we have been running the computer (and maybe a rough gauge of next month's electricity bill). The fan speed indicators and temperature probe are useful also. The power and reset buttons however are located too low for comfort while some may find the I/O ports a trifle too minimal.

The chassis itself is relatively light and narrow for a mid-tower, though its actual capacity may be less than its specifications. That is due to its dimensions, which made it much too cramped for our liking and we believe most users would end up being unable to fully fill the R240 due to space restrictions. Besides the less than spacious interior, it is a fairly standard mid-tower design which has none of the frills and creature comforts that we're used to, like a tool-free installation and sliding motherboard tray.

What you'll get is a decent mid-tower casing that is fairly well made, but hampered by its lack of depth. As for its retail price, we're still awaiting a recommended local price from the distributor, but sources online seem to indicate a price of between US$60 - 70, which is perhaps a bit more costly than usual, probably due to the inclusion of the LCD. Ultimately, there are better chassis designs out there, but for those who are into looks, the glossy 3R System R240 Zion will fit the bill as long as you're not fussy about installation and the added utility of its LCD panel does makes a decent offering.

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