Last week during E3 2014, Razer showcased its very first entry into the PC chassis market. The mid-tower case is part of the company's "Designed by Razer" licensing program that allows third-party chassis makers to produce and sell Razer-designed branded PC cases. The first company to offer a case under this licensing program is NZXT, which will be made available to purchase from NZXT next month for $149.99 USD.
What I really liked most about this case was the lighting. The dark grey case featured Razer's signature green that lights up every port on the I/O panel on the back, making it easy to plug in peripherals for those who live in a dark cave (like myself). The case also had a tinted window on one side that revealed additional green lighting and Razer's illuminated logo mounted on the inside. Simply beautiful.
The case is actually a customized version of NZXT's H440 chassis. Included are three 120 mm FN V2 fans mounted on the front and one 140 mm FN V2 fan on the back. Also included are filters on the front side, bottom front and bottom rear. Radiator support includes 2 x 140 mm or 3 x 120 mm on the front, 2 x 140 mm or 3 x 120 mm on the top, and 1 x 140/120 mm on the back.
According to a list of specs, the chassis includes two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, one microphone port, and one headphone port mounted on the top along with the power button. The case also has a switch to turn off the LED lighting on the back, seven expansion slots, 6+2 internal 3.5-inch / 2.5-inch internal drive bays, and support for Mini-ITX, MicroATX and ATX motherboards.
"The Designed by Razer licensing program is open to selected case manufacturers, and it is subject to a rigorous vetting process by the award-winning Razer design and engineering team prior to approval," the PR states. "The new enterprise aims to take advantage of Razer's design expertise and product engineering sensibilities. Every design feature of a licensed case will be directed by Razer in collaboration with any selected partner."
Case manufacturers that are interested in making a Razer-themed chassis can go here to find out more.
The company also had on display the Junglecat, a gamepad attachment for the iPhone 5 and newer. Similar to the first PlayStation-certified phone, the Xperia Play, the gamepad slides in and out so that the gaming controls are always with you. The peripheral includes your standard setup: a D-pad on the left, a pause button in the middle, and XYAB action buttons on the right.
Razer's smartband, the Nabu, was also on hand, but this model was lacking the OLED screen on the top. When asked about the change, a Razer rep said that it was based on feedback. Users of the alpha unit were automatically turning their wrist to look at the second OLED screen without looking at the top screen. Because of this, the bottom screen will activate only when the wrist is turned. This new design should not only help lengthen the battery time between charges, but to provide a lower price tag.
The company also announced the Nabu Beta Program, which allows "hardcore" Razer fans to stress test and provide feedback for the final Razer Nabu unit. There will be 500 beta testers chosen that will be given a code to purchase the Nabu Beta unit for just a dollar ($1.00). Participants will be required to provide software and hardware feedback to the engineering team. These beta units will be shipping in July, so head here for a chance to be chosen in the beta program.
Also on hand at the show were the company's new Kraken Neon series headsets and headphones -- special editions of the Kraken series that shed the classic green and black design for six new fluorescent colors. The company also introduced a World of Tanks Razer Kraken Pro headset, which joins the current Razer DeathAdder gaming mouse and the Razer Goliathus gaming mouse mat.
