Review on Apevia PRODIGY BK Micro ATX Gaming Tempered by Stephen Zimmer

You're basically paying for RGB fans because the rest of this case is an afterthought. Compared to another $59 case, the Antec DP301M, this Apevia case is a huge disappointment. I don't like this, but the more accessible case will be fixed. See, for example, photos of how competitors do it better. #1 Front panel input/output and power switch. The front I/O cables hang down in the main bay of the case, where they might be in front of the vertical bracket that the front case fans screw into. When building the PC, I pulled these cables out of the main bay. Of the 3 USB ports only one is USB 3.0, I would like two 3.0 (maybe even a 3.1 port?). Slide the reset and RGB switches very far from the case so they click. In this case the #2 SSDs are in the front, I would have preferred them hidden behind the motherboard tray as in many other cases. That would make it neater and cleaner. There are also no drive sleds/bays. I'm more used to putting the drive in a sled that snaps into the case and is held in place by a single thumbscrew. Without a disc slide, you have to hold the disc on the inside and try to screw it in from the outside. It's annoying. That is hard. This makes it much less convenient to switch drives. And if you're using M.2 drives, you're left with two large blank panels stamped "SSD" on the case. One last thing about the drive bays: the 3.5-inch drive bays are non-removable. I was able to free up this space in other cases for better cable management or a good place to run additional cables from the PSU. This is again riveted without a drive slide. To be honest I don't know how to install 3.5 inch drives. If you are planning this - good luck. #3 PCIE expansion slot covers are not "removable and replaceable" in the usual sense. They're basically welded on with thumbtacks, and you have to bend them back and forth until they break off, likely leaving sharp, unpainted edges, and as the manual says, "Once you've removed them, you can't replace them. " Literally why? Why not just use regular PCIE slot covers like everyone else? If I add the card and later remove it, I can reattach the PCIE cover. #4 fans. Let's be realistic, aside from the "Micro-ATX" factor, the real reason anyone should buy this case is for the fans. They are alright. What I don't like are the huge layered Molex connectors and the extra extension cords everywhere. Apevia, couldn't it be possible to use the more common smaller connector in a modern PC? Couldn't you use or create a fan hub? Couldn't you make/get fans with cords long enough not to need bulky extension cords? Originally this case was going to be for my main setup and my old one was for a streaming/media PC in the living room but having seen this case better in person I doubt I'll keep it at all. This is a beautiful case from the outside. I like the small form factor. I like clear glass. (My other one has tinted glass obscuring my RGB for some reason). The packaging is nice and the case is well protected. But overall I don't think it's a very good design or a very good value compared to the Antec DP301M which basically solves all my complaints. Apevia, back to the drawing board. You have created a great looking case that is untrue in almost every other way.