Installation:
 

Inside the P182 Enclosure

After removing 2 black thumbscrews, the panel slides off like any other except for the fact that the panel feels very nicely built. This is due to the design method used to help limit or cancel out noise, so the paneling all around feels much more solid. The inside of the chassis gets a few finishing touches to better polish off the original P180's features. Working with the black wire slider seems to work better, less fussy, and slides easier. You also get more space to run your wiring through to the upper chamber.

Closed

Open

The PSU cage is nothing more than a sleeve of sorts that sits over your power supply and helps stabilize it from shifting as well has preventing vibration noises since there also white rubber spacers on the PSU platform and cage. A very large PSU may fit in the tray, but it may not fit inside the case itself comfortably. There is still ample room for attaching a full sized ATX motherboard, large CPU cooler and large graphics cards.

Cage Removed

Enermax Installed

The hard drive bays haven't been changed since they are pretty much perfect the way they are. The only thing I have personally heard other people ask for is more hard drive space. If this is your only limitation, then you should consider the full server SOHO series with more size and depth. Personally, the P182 has enough drive space and has 5.25 drive bay space if you want to add a little something else up top. The removable drive cages are still an excellent feature for simplifying the installation process.

Installing the Drives

Cages Close Up

If your looking for a better way to hide or manage your wiring, the P182 has that ability. Removing the right side panel allows you other alternate methods of working through the wiring process. The three notches provide a way and a place to hide all the extra or out of control wiring. There is enough room to hide away any extra various Molex power connectors. And since there aren't any sharp or abrupt edges around that area, wiring doesn't get caught or snag on to the chassis if you have to push and pull on the slack. There are even 4 black wire straps that can be reused over and over compared to zip ties. It's another intuitive simple bonus feature we have become accustomed to from Antec.

Backside of Motherboard Tray

Up Close - Recessed Tray Area

When everything is finally installed and complete, you can't forget the Antec "spoiler" that goes on top. Spoiler, you ask? You bet! When installed it makes your computer system go really, really fast. Ok, ok, we all know this isn't true. It's not really a spoiler. But, it can keep your system running properly. It's a fan guard that installs over the top chassis fan to prevent any thing from falling in through the fan port. You don't want to leave that off especially if you plan on attending any LAN parties. It would be bad to have something accidentally fall inside.

Top

Up Close

It's Fast Now!

Conclusion:

It may not be a brand new design, but it is an improvement over the seemingly near perfect P180 Enclosure from the Performance One series. The upgraded features are a notable benefit and do come in handy, especially for users are serious about the look and layout of their system. Liquid cooling users will appreciate the two new ports and rubber grommets added to simplify the process and eliminate any need to modify the enclosure. The methods used to help quiet a system installed in the P182 are always an excellent option and much appreciated. Even with the fans on full speed, the enclosure is still quieter than enthusiast and gamer graphics cards.

The Antec P182 Enclosure is currently one of the most refined and versatile enclosures available that can be used any and everywhere. The level of sophistication it offers will work very well in an office or professional environment. Because of its versatility, one could easily use it with their home computer system and enjoy its clean appearance. It's simply an ever popular, impressive enclosure that out classes almost anything else on the shelf. If you have a chance to see this enclosure at your local PC store, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Otherwise, check out Newegg ($169.99) and other online sites or even get yours ordered direct from Antec.com now.

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