ASUS has unveiled two new PC Cases designed with a touch of days gone by with its ProArt PA401 and PA602 Wood Edition models. It’s been a spell since home PCs such as those from IBM, Apple, Radioshack/Tandy, and Atari graced desktops with their various beige color schemes, but PC builders can revisit that era with the PA401 Wood Edition Beige. Meanwhile, for those who prefer a darker tone, there’s the PA602 Wood Edition in either Retro Brown or Modern Black.
“ASUS today announced Retro Brown and Modern Black colorways for the ProArt PA602 Wood Edition case, and a Beige colorway for the PA401 Wood Edition case. These desktop PC cases infuse natural elements with carefully crafted hardware to produce something simultaneously earthen and impossibly clean. These latest colorways for the PA401 and PA602 take the pursuit of organic perfection further, bringing retro colors and rustic tones to vivid life.”
-ASUS
Despite their retro appearance, all three cases include modern features. In addition, ASUS has stated that “This wood is certified by the FSC for sustainability, so users can respect the environment and their PC’s style profile at the same time.”
The real wood materials used in these ProArt cases receive a protective treatment to prevent damage from insects and weathering caused by heat and humidity, along with a special coating to add a finish. In terms of cooling, the PA401 comes with 2x 160mm fans in the front along with a 120mm rear fan, whereas the PA602 has 2x 200mm front fans and a 140mm rear fan. Both include removable dust filters, but the PA602 goes a step further with a built-in dust detection system that will light up an LED when enough particulate matter has gathered on the front filter. Both cases are also available in all black. More about the PA401 and PA602 can be found here. Pricing for these particular Wood Edition models has not yet been announced (ASUS does have other models listed in the $200-$300 range).
ProArt PA401 Wood Edition Specifications
| Finish Options | Beige, Black |
| Side Panel Options | Tempered Glass, Metal, Mesh |
| Chassis Fans | 2x front 160mm fans1x rear 120mm fan |
| Front I/O | 2x USB 5Gbps Type-A1x USB 20Gbps Type-C®1x Headphone + Mic Jack |
| Easy DIY | One-stop PWM control, Unified FIO header, Pull-out PSU installation, Tool-free side panel |
| Radiator Support | Top: 120 / 140 / 240mm |
| Graphics Card Support | Up to 315mm |
| Cable Management | 34mm |
| Dimensions | 503x412x225mm |
ProArt PA602 Wood Edition Specifications
| Finish Options | Retro Brown, Modern Black |
| Side Panel Options | Tempered Glass, Metal |
| Chassis Fans | 2x front 200mm fans1x rear 140mm fan |
| Front I/O | 2x USB 480Mbps Type-A2x USB 5Gbps Type-A1x USB 20Gbps Type-C®1x Headphone + Mic Jack |
| Easy DIY | One-stop PWM control, Unified FIO header, Built-in wheels, Carrying handles, Tool-free side panel |
| Radiator Support | Top: 120 / 140 / 240 / 280 / 360 / 420mm |
| Graphics Card Support | Up to 440mm |
| Cable Management | 30mm |
| Dimensions | 593x560x245mm |
Discussion (19 replies)
Join Discussion →I do like the look of the wood edition. (faux wood and all.)
I have the Antec case wood edition for mine... just like the sedate look.
I admit that I like the Retro Brown one but it's likely to go for ~$300 which for me these days is way to much for a case, even a nice one.
The first one, the one they refer to as beige looks like an old central heating radiator salvaged from some dilapidated flooded building.
The wood ones would look OK if it matches your furniture but the glass side panel kind of clashes with the wood finish. Can we not have just a solid side panel anymore? Guess not.
Not sure if they'll offer it for these, didn't notice anything in the PR and I didn't see anything on the product pages) but I did notice that they do offer metal panels for some other models..
I have two of the 602A cases, one in dark wood and one in black. I do like the look of the lighter wood version in the article, but not enough for me to have another.
Gross.
I admit I was not a fan of the beige/brown motiff in the 80s when everyone was using. There were more than a few times I thought about painting my old Atari 400 black.
I don't like the faux wood grain bullshit. Hell I don't like real wood grain on electronics. The shit is right out of the 1970's. Reminds me of wood paneling and the smell of cigarette smoke. I'll pass on that.
Have to agree there, right down to when we were looking for a house around 15 years ago and looked at one whose interior was complete 70s retro, right down to the overwhelming stench of cigarette smoke.
What's odd is my "wood" grain version of the 602A is so dark you can't really tell..lol
It's like the wood paneling absorbs and preserves cigarette smoke forever.
Man back before geek squad I did a short stint doing computer service at a Best Buy. We would get these once beige Packard bell computers in that were stained cigarette tar yellow inside and out. I hated those things.
I worked at Comp USA from 1997 to 1999 and Best Buy (before Geek Squad) from 1999 to late 2000. I did a second stint at Comp USA part time around 2003 to 2004. I worked in the tech shop in both places and saw hundreds of gross ass machines. We saw cigarette smoke, ear wax covered paperclips jammed in printers, and all roach infested systems, etc. You name it, I probably ran into it. But cigarette smoke was the most common gross shit we dealt with.
lol I used to work for a chain smoker and we had AS400 terminals TN5250 I think, we had service contract so whenever the keyboard of his terminal gets nasty he would request a replacement. The technician can only shake his head.
As if this wasn't bad enough . . .
[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/pc-cases/silverstone-takes-the-wraps-off-the-flp03-its-latest-homage-to-beige-1980s-pc-design-retro-micro-atx-case-has-modern-amenities[/URL]
A double facepalm for this.