PC case for schools recommendations

[Colindean2000]

We've got a number of Novatech PCs which came in cases which our darling students can damage easily by removing the blanking plates and put there hand into the whole PC, we are now getting RAM chips stolen, very annoying!

 

Anyway we are now looking at purchasing replacement cases (slim tower micro atx with psu) and wondered if anyone had been in the same situation and could recommend a suitable case? If at all possible the case would have no blanking plates at all as we don't use optical drives.

 

I've come across the CIT S003b which looks promising

 

CiT S003B Black Slim micro-ATX/ITX Case Tower/Desktop with 300w PSU - Scan.co.uk

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks

[robjd]

Looks a good plan for your existing kit. Have a look at Stone's NUC computers nexttime you are in the market though.

[Marshall_IT]

You might find that this case has a flip down front which can get broken off and expose the inbuilt card reader and optical drive or a blanking plate.

[Colindean2000]

Thanks Marshall, did think of that, might just have to buy one and see what it's like

[synaesthesia]

Best ones we've ever had are the RM G series; despite not having any (well, barely) RM kit, bought a pallet load last time at £30 each. Solid as a rock. They're rebranded units from a company I can't remember - maybe Akasa, Antec or someone else including the power supply.

My favourites personally at the minute are the "Flex" chassis as used by VeryPC - I believe they're manufactured by ECS but could be wrong on that, it may be worth getting in touch with Very to see if they will supply just the chassis for you. That way the cable entries are all secure too and there are no panels to worry about being punched through.

[Arthur]

I've come across the CIT S003b which looks promising

The included PSU looks like complete junk.

 

It's a shame the motherboards aren't mITX because there are far more cases without optical bays to choose from.

 

Edited October 19, 2014 by Arthur

[synaesthesia]

There's a reason CiT is pronounced with an SH at the start.

[Colindean2000]

synaesthesia, we've actually got some of these cases (but bought from Novatech instead of VeryPC) and they are great, would love to be able to get some of these...

[lmgtfy]

@Colindean2000 and @synaesthesia We also have some of the VeryPC Flex cases with the Vesa mounts. I agree they are probably one of the best cases for education at the moment. We bought ours from Zoostorm, if there is anyway we don't have to deal with them again I would pay extra just for the case.

 

If anyone can find these cases for sale I would be very happy https://www.very-pc.co.uk/products/value-pc/flex

[HTCPCP]

we are very fortunate that our kids don't try and steal the ram or anything, but we do have a load of machines missing blanking plates!

 

Just out of interest, why do you need new PSUs? surely you can get something like Xenta Computer Case B138A - Ebuyer which only seems to have a single slot and just reuse the rest of the kit? I have always found bundled PSUs tend to be really cheap and nasty, and you can buy a decent PSU if you need to replace any. Then to stop that one getting punched out quite so easily, use a glue gun or superglue to stick the blanking plate in place

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

We've got a number of Novatech PCs which came in cases which our darling students can damage easily by removing the blanking plates and put there hand into the whole PC, we are now getting RAM chips stolen, very annoying!

 

Anyway we are now looking at purchasing replacement cases (slim tower micro atx with psu) and wondered if anyone had been in the same situation and could recommend a suitable case? If at all possible the case would have no blanking plates at all as we don't use optical drives.

 

I've come across the CIT S003b which looks promising

 

CiT S003B Black Slim micro-ATX/ITX Case Tower/Desktop with 300w PSU - Scan.co.uk

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks

 

Hi Colin,

Just got your enquiry and have been asked to help you by my boss. I'll reply to your email now.

Ta,

Col

[Oaktech]

Speak to very PC about the flex and flex mini. they are by far the best generic cases for education I've seen.

[PeterW]

Best ones we've ever had are the RM G series; despite not having any (well, barely) RM kit, bought a pallet load last time at £30 each. Solid as a rock. They're rebranded units from a company I can't remember - maybe Akasa, Antec or someone else including the power supply.

My favourites personally at the minute are the "Flex" chassis as used by VeryPC - I believe they're manufactured by ECS but could be wrong on that, it may be worth getting in touch with Very to see if they will supply just the chassis for you. That way the cable entries are all secure too and there are no panels to worry about being punched through.

 

Off the top of my head RM G series is Chenbro, the VeryPC Flex is Avance.

 

The CiT cases are proper tinfoil and the PSU will be naff.

[ataylor]

We ordered 16 of the Flex Machines from VeryPC last year with the AIO mount, they are absolutely solid, no more pulling out cables! \o/

[MordyT]

Someone with Flex PCs... Is this a full PC, a case that you transplant your PC into, or a wrap around case?

[Arthur]

Is this a full PC, a case that you transplant your PC into, or a wrap around case?

It's definitely a full PC. The case extends over the slots and ports at the rear to form a shroud. Once all of the usual cables have been connected, you would fit the cover and then lock it to prevent people disconnecting the cables enclosed inside.

 

[MordyT]

Oh. I thought (hoped) it was something I could add to my current lab - maybe next time we are buying PCs....