Ultra m998 Mid-ATX Case

Thoughts About PC Aesthetics

Perhaps the definitive element of a computer’s self-expression is the case.

Think about peripherals. A monitor is a portrait of how people organize their GUI. It acts as a frame for someone’s choice of OS, apps, artwork, and icons. It’s also a blank canvas for system performance and a way for hardware to showoff Aero’s glass effects. On its own – without first-rate components to make it shine – a monitor is only distinguished by size and logo, and it sits smugly on a desk talking about how expensive it was two years ago.

The mouse and keyboard are defined by feel and functionality, and are an expression of efficiency. When you go wireless you get less clutter. When you choose keyboards with shortcut keys you speed up workflow. The beauty here is a mix of pragmatism and simplicity that doesn’t even matter until you sit down to interact. Keyboards are often hidden in slide-outs under desks, so appearance is irrelevant. Truly, interface devices have an active, singular appeal that owners don’t fully appreciate until they’re using someone else’s setup.

An audio solution simply cannot be enjoyed until it’s kicking out the jams like MC5. By definition, a sound device has to sound good to be good – and although some speaker manufacturers are getting quite fancy with their modern models, listeners will always be persuaded by what they hear instead of what they see.

But the desktop case is special. It’s a completely different and independent entity that fulfills its function just by existing around other stuff. It’s a sculptural centerpiece that everyone notices, and it’s always flaunting some visual personality for your rig. For the artistically inclined modder, a Dremel can often chisel 1980s NEC Beige into Super-Ironic Water-Cooled Vintage-Inspired Mega Machine; but for the less savvy DIYer prone to slicing off some fingers along with lightweight aluminum, finding an appealing stock case can be a daunting chore.

Enter Ultra Products’ m998 – an oddly enticing mix of Lian Li-style industrial minimalism and Humvee’s classic military vehicle, the M998. Throw in a healthy dose of Global WIN and Akasa inspiration circa 2001, some awesome innovations in modular tech, and you’ve got a rock solid mid-ATX case that earns the title of “feature rich.”

Sound interesting? It is. And it’s a surprisingly superb solution for system builders looking to blast clutter, keep temps down and look good doing it - as long as you're not going in there too often.