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Many PC enthusiasts are slobs. No, we don't wear leftovers from our lunch down the front of our shirt, but woe is the obsessive compulsive neat freak that wanders into our computer's work area. Bare components lay exposed to environmental dangers, peripherals are strewn about, and various cables are found dangling in a disorderly fashion. While the risk of ESD is ever present, it's a necessary tradeoff for the convenience of quickly testing and diagnosing hardware.
While that may sound like a good argument in favor of our disorganization, HighSpeed PC isn't buying it - in fact, they're making a case to the contrary and selling it. Literally. Join HardwareLogic as we cut through the clutter and make room for HSPC's Tech Station Version 2.0.
Specifications
- 14 x 13 x 8.5 inches
- Two tier work bench
- PCI-E/AGP/PCI/ISA card brace with thumb screws
- HDD rails for storage/cooling for two hard drives
- Dual 120mm fans with finger guards
- Neoprene mat for non-slip/non-conductive top bench surface
- Assembl & usage details
- ATX control kit (on/off/reset swtichs, power/HDD LEDs, system speaker)
The HighSpeed PC Tech Station ships snug in compact box surrounded with bubble wrap. Underneath that protection is an assortment of parts, all neatly organized and separated with ziplock bags. New to version 2.0 is an ATX Control Kit consisting of a power and HDD LED, power and reset switch, and a system speaker.
Installation was a breeze and, for the most part, uneventful. HSPC recommends setting aside 20-30 minutes for assembly, which I found to be an accurate estimation. The included 6-sheet instruction manual holds your hand throughout the process with easy to follow steps and complimenting pictures. Should this manual turn up missing, another one can be downloaded in either PDF or Word document form. For an additional $20, HSPC will ship the kit pre assembled, a handy alternative for those that simply lack the time, patience, or a phillips screwdriver (the only tool required).
Once assembled, using the Tech Station is straight-forward. The motherboard fits easily into the enclosure and rests on a series of rubber standoffs. The unit itself is made of scratch resistent plastic, and it's this combination of non-conductive materials that makes an open-air design feasible.
One concern over such a design is how well the motherboard will rest inside the chassis, particularly if you plan to transport your system. The last thing you want to do is to pick up the Tech Station and watch in horror as your motherboard inadvertently slides out the back and nosedives towards to the ground. To prevent this obscenity induced scenario, HighSpeed PC includes two plastic screws and washers for a more permanent fixture.
Running along the front is a plastic brace for add-in cards. Up to seven can be supported, each with its own thumbscrew. While the brace itself is easily bendable, the strength is sufficient to prevent any cards from wobbling out of place.
The Tech Station can accomodate two hard drives out of the box, plus two more with the purchase of a rail kit. If ordered at the same time, HighSpeed PC will pre-drill the necessary pilot holes and label them appropriately.
Keeping with the overall theme, installation is simple and quick. Hard drives slide effortlessly into the clear plastic rails and no tools are required. Unfortunately, there's no system for securing the drives once in place. This can be cause for concern when transporting the chassis, but otherwise should not be an issue.
With an open-air case, one would assume that system temperatures have an advantage over a sealed enclosure. This can be true depending on the room temperature, though a certain amount of active airflow is always desireable. To handle cooling duties, HSPC bundles two 120mm Evercool fans that push up to 79.14 CFM according to specifications. This performance comes at the expense of noise which, while not obnoxiously loud, is certainly compounded when out in the open. If low noise operation is a prerequisite, you may want to disconnect them and keep an eye on the temperatures, invest in a fan bus such as our recently reviewed Sunbeam, or substitute a pair of quieter fans as offered by the likes of Panaflo and Arctic Cooling.
Warranty and Support
When my Tech Station shipped with two missing rubber standoffs, I had the opportunity to test HighSpeed PC's customer service and see if they earned a passing grade. Not only did they do so, but I'm awarding extra credit for weekend work. Having sent an email on a Sunday afternoon, I wasn't expecting a response until sometime on Monday. Imagine my surprise when, just thirty minutes later, I received a very friendly reply from a rep named Scott promising to ship out the missing pieces in the morning. True to his word, a tracking number was sent the next day and the standoffs arrived on Tuesday. That's groovy.
For more information on HighSpeed PC's sales and shipping terms, RMA procedure, various FAQs, and other pre and post sale questions, their online support center holds a wealth of information.
Our Recommendation
There are very few computer related items I consider to be 'must-have.' One of them is a wireless mouse so I have something to throw at my neighbor's dog when doing his duty in my yard. I also need a good set of loud 5.1 surround speakers to drown out the occasional late night barking sessions. I'm now adding the HighSpeed PC Tech Station to this short list. Whether for reviews or personal use, this workbench brings a whole new level of convenience to testing and swapping components. If you've ever considered setting up a system outside of your chassis, the HSPC's non-conductive, open-air Tech Station is exactly what you've been waiting for.
Pros:
- Sturdy
- Non-conductive
- Easy to assemble
- Excellent cooling
- Custom designs available
- Top notch customer service
- ATX, eATX, and mATX compatible (mATX requires $3.99 upgrade kit)
Cons:
- Expensive ($139)
- Open-air design leaves it susceptible to accidental bumps, spills, etc.
