Antec Sonata

The PC has come a long way since the early days of boxy desktops, not only in terms of performance but also in terms of perception. The PC is a piece of consumer electronics, not quite so user-friendly as your average DVD player, perhaps, but certainly as omnipresent. So if the PC is a part of our home, why not make it look good by using Antec's lush Sonata case?

For enthusiasts, the PC isn't simply a functional item, it's something that we take pride in - a bit like a car. And although I haven't taken to washing my PC on a regular basis, I still want it to look good. This is now much easier, thanks to the myriad of new case designs in colours ranging from pea green to gunmetal grey, but for me the new Sonata is a thing of beauty.

Forming part of Antec's new LifeStyle series, the Sonata is designed to fit into your home, both in terms of looks and features. The design is understated (no big viewing windows here), but the gorgeous piano-black finish and subtle blue LEDs look fantastic. And the best part is that it's not all looks and no substance - the Sonata is an excellent housing for your PC's components too. Hidden behind the lockable front panel are three 5.25in drive bays and two 3.5in drive bays, providing plenty of potential for expansion. Also hidden on the front are two USB 2 ports and a FireWire port.

It's no less impressive inside, with four 3.5in drive-bay trays mounted side-on for easy access. The trays also feature rubber grommets, which hints at another important aspect of the Sonata - noise reduction. The rubber grommets absorb some of the vibrations from the hard-disk mechanism, dulling the sharp rattling sound that afflicts some lesser cases. It isn't quite as effective as some third-party solutions, such as QuietPC's SilentDrive, but it's still a thoughtful inclusion.

Antec even supplies a quiet 380W TruePower power supply, which features only a single fan, cutting down noise without sacrificing power output. Another well thought-out addition is the 120mm chassis fan, which provides effective cooling but spins more slowly than an 80mm fan, also helping to reduce noise. An extra 120mm fan can be added at the front too, if extra cooling is required.

The Sonata is a gorgeous case that's ideal for style-conscious PC builders who aren't necessarily interested in viewing windows or neon lights, but still want a PC with a touch of class.

Author: Gareth Ogden