iStar S-8 ATX Chassis

Introduction:

   iStarUSA has been in the market for some time. They have been providing professional series chassis, power supplies, and rack mount products since 1989. If you read their about and introduction page they give a good impression of being a motivated company:

   iStarUSA established in 1989, iStarUSA Computer Inc. has over fifteen years of experience in designing and manufacturing Industrial Switching Power Supply, Sheet Metal, and Rackmount Chassis. From the standard switching power supply to high-end redundant power supply, iStarUSA has grown to be one of major provider in IPC power supply industry. In recent years, we have also expanded our products to include DVR/IPC and Storage RAID industries. Our goal is always to provide our customer with the best products and superior customer services. In the beginning, iStarUSA focused on providing our customers the combinations of cutting-edge technologies, high quality manufacturing, and excellent customer services. It has been a proving record that these priorities earned a strong partnership for iStarUSA in today's competitive market.

   The company has serviced customers such as, Lockhead Martin, Nvidia, Honeywell, Sony Picture, and Boeing to name a few. If your customer base includes some of these names, you must be doing something right. So, to satisfy our interest we will be checking out more of their products and what it is they offer for the typical consumer.

The S-8 Storm Series Case

   There are 4 cases currently in the Storm Series. The S10000 and S10000L are their full sized tower cases, while the S9000 is an extended full sized tower case. The main differences between the S10000 and S10000L is that the L model can house a 12 x 13 sized motherboard. The dual CPU Tyan platforms would fit quite easily. The S-8 measures 8.2"x20.2"x17.8" which is dwarfed quite easily by the other cases. Its purpose is a slightly more discrete use and much simpler function.

   S-8 ATX chassis provide modern life style with more capability. Modest and essential for home entertainment center, office PC, and personal workstation. Large drive and storage capacity can install 5 optical device and up to 5 disk drives. Easy front panel I/O design with USB, firewire, and audio ports access to connect external devices, whether is DVD entertainment, music storage, or file sharing and backup, S-8 is a multimedia ready chassis. S-8 also is very suitable in office productivity and personal workstation that require reliability and performance. Excellent thermal solution meets CAG 1.1 standard and tool-less screws and cage design provide convenient install, upgrade, and maintain. S-8 also support iStarUSA redundant power supply that keep system running without any interruptions. View Full Specs Here

Packing and Contents:

   The Box came packed within its own product box. There was no cover box and appears to have had a somewhat rough trip. The case was also shipped with the bezel facing the bottom of the box which catches the brunt of abuse more often. Despite the box's appearance, the case was intact without any damage or problems. You can debate packing techniques all day if you like, but most consumers would rather receive a cleaner and more professional looking box with their products. It would have a different affect if they received a plain box that was dented.

Box Damage

More Box Damage

Open and Torn

   I also noticed that some spelling was off on the actual product box itself. This proved to be the same for the instructions which were very hard to see, while poorly copied and written. This of course would be due translation in to English from iStar's primary language. Substandard instructions are more common than most might think, but when your official product box "supperts" rather than "supports" something, its a little unnerving when you run a multi-million dollar corporation.

Face Down!

No Damage

Risky Packing