Obviously, the first thing that you'll notice about a case is how it looks. Within the first few seconds, you've already made an unconscious decision whether or not you like what you see. If you don't, chances are you won't even explore the options and functions of the case, you'll just move on to the next. Sounds simple enough, but that's what the folks who build cases are up against. That's also why there are so many to choose from...

     Sunbeam has given the Quarterback more of a quiet look. The flat-black finish on the panels is complimented by the subtle gray of the trim around the front bezel.  Even the window is given a simple square design.

      As far as doors are concerned, I have found you either like them or you don't. Sunbeam hasn't provided any way to take this door off, but it really isn't much of a door. The large gaps (for lack of a better word) will still let you get to your optical drives or whatever else you install in the 5.25" bays. Even the power and reset buttons can be accessed with the door closed. The door is held closed by three magnets, and unfortunately that is all. I like to see doors secured with some type of latch so they can't come open while you're transporting the enclosure.

     The power and reset buttons are centrally located and, as I mentioned before, you can get to them even when the door is closed. The space around the buttons are the message LEDs which are blue in color. The power LED surrounds the power button (on the right) and the HD activity LED surrounds the reset button.

     UP CLOSE and personal to the front panel connections, they are placed on the lower right side of the front faceplate. It's a pretty standard assortment of a headphone jack, two USB ports, and a microphone jack. There is a cut-out for the IEEE-1394 Firewire port, but the wiring hasn't been placed into the enclosure.