We’ve come a long way from the beige PCs of the 1990s. But even though I’ve gladly followed the evolution of computer cases, I’ve started to become cool toward today’s sleek, clean styling. But I didn’t know what exactly I craved until I saw Hyte’s Computex announcement of its upcoming X50 and X50 Air.
These bubbly, bright cases feel like fresh air among the monochrome boxes across the landscape. I could see them in many more homes than a black mid-tower—whether for young kids or fans of colorful, maximalist décor.
But why did I like it so much? And why haven’t I seen more cases that don’t look like what we expect? These questions fueled the chat I recently had with Hyte product director Rob Teller, where we discussed case design.
Teller covers this and more during the interview, dropping a couple of pieces of info that helped me understand the reasons I don’t always love other cases with unique colors. For example: The X50 was created to look good in color first.
Also, the fatigue I feel about today’s fiercely minimalistic chassis, with their crisp lines and subtle mesh panel variations? That makes more sense, if PC cases reflect ever more of our personal taste and aesthetic preferences. Fashion over pure function, as Teller says—and fashion trends get tiresome when every single company piles on.
I do want to see more cases meant to fit into your life, rather than you changing (or distorting) your home’s vibes to accommodate a gaming PC. Teller’s dive into case production indicates that it’s possible, but may be tricky—be sure to check out the full video to hear all those fascinating details.