The Antec Skeleton Open Air Case

(Click the above image for the large version)

Removing the packaging reveals why the name Skeleton was chosen. My first impressions are of a steel infrastructure to a building, a very industrial feeling. Using both arches and triangular supports explains why the chassis feels so sturdy, need I mention the aqua ducts or the pyramids? Antec chose to use a black base and tray while using almost a charcoal gray outside structure to compliment the base.

(Click the above image for the large version)

From the side you can see the double arch that supports the 250mm Tri-Cool fan. These are also supported with angular braces, continuing the theme. Hanging off the right is the clear expansion slot brace that can easily be removed with two screws. Between the arches are honeycomb grills that can be removed for access to the lower level.

(Click the above image for the large version)

Looking at the rear of the case you can start to get a good feel of how it all works. All the wiring from the fan and the front I/O panel are there to be hooked up and for now are held out of the way. Antec zip ties the power supply rack to the rest of the frame to keep it secure during shipping. They also choose this as a good place to tape in and ship the extra hardware. The thumbscrews, one per side, must be loosened to allow the tray to release.

(Click the above image for the large version)

Looking at the left side you can see it mirrors the right. This makes placement in the room not so much of an issue. The Skeleton offers the same appeal from either side, just the view of the hardware changes a bit.

(Click the above image for the large version)

Looking down into the mouth of the beast, this an aerial view of the 250mm fan that Antec has molded into the top of the Skeleton. Not only is this nine bladed behemoth a Tri-Cool (or 3-speed) fan, it is also Tri-LED, which you may view in the fit and finish section.

(Click the above image for the large version)

Flipping the Skeleton around to see the bottom shows Antec even kept to the angular lines here. The bottom is made from two pieces of steel that have been folded around each other for added strength. At the foot of all four points of the arches Antec has placed little rubber pads to keep the Skeleton from making any sudden escapes off your desktop.

(Click the above image for the large version)

I wanted to show the idea behind the expansion card support. It is made of clear plastic, which on first glance does sort of disappear. There are eight brass nuts that are inside of the plastic that the screws can be tightened into for up to eight total spots; that's one more than most tower cases!

(Click the above image for the large version)

The front cross bracing of the Skeleton also holds all the front I/O functions for this chassis. From the very left you can first see a tiny hole; this is for the HDD activity LED and just to the right is the system reset button.

(Click the above image for the large version)

More centrally placed is the FireWire (IEEE 1394) port followed by two USB 2.0 slots and again followed by an eSATA port. To the right of all this is the front 3.5mm audio and microphone jacks.

(Click the above image for the large version)

Lastly, all the way to the right is the large and easy to feel for system power button.