I can see how it can be convenient to some users, so I think the top panel type C is the best compromise. I know I will probably just remove the port as its just a thick cable to manage in small case and I have no problem just simply rotating the case towards me for a second to plug in the occasional device. I like the ncase idea where they provide the extra plate without the IO slot. Dan could just make the cable + IO plate an addon/accessory.
These answers and also you have to think about future proofing. Currently, USB type-C looks to be the future at least right now, so even if I don't have a ton of devices to use with c to c, I can imagine that in 2-5 years there will be many more. Also, I don't see how that can happen in the case of the C4, as unlike the M1, you have one solid piece as the front panel of the case.
This is my last post about this, because this case is not about debating the practicality of front usb type-c. But I will just say 95%+ of people charge their phone type-a to type-c via wall adapter or PC, and you could just leave a cable plugged into the back of your pc and route it to the front. External ssd's their is also the option to just leave a cable plugged in and routed. Front type-c seems the most useful for flashdrives but 95%+ of people just store data of those small quantities in the cloud nowadays or just use type-a because its guaranteed to work any device they may use. But still its a light weight tiny case users can just tilt the case towards them with one hand and plug in with the other. Anyway I am off my soap box on why front IO should be an optional extra.
Thats why you have the IO on the top of the case where its practical to be swapped. And if all these new devices are coming in 2-4 years which they're probably not. You will probably want more than just 1 port, where again having a small swappable plate cutout makes more sense in a future proofing sense where a future IO with 2-3 port could be swapped in. You also have to take into account the fact mobo manufactures will adapt what ports they will put on he board and 5 years from now cloud computing will probably be waaayyy more practical reducing the need for external storage further. But yeah only 5% of people who buy this case will actually use the front IO enough for it to be worth it so yeah optional extra is defiantly the way to go. Last post from me on the subject I swear!
Both the C4 and M1 are manufactured by Lian Li, but Dan C4 has thicker panels. The Ghost S1 has thicker panels, but the anodizing process is very bad and uneven across different panels, whereas Lian Li has theirs sport and have good quality control. Exceptional build quality is not always about the thickness or the nature of the materials, but about the execution and quality control. Also, a desktop PC should be placed on a desk, not thrown around, so having panels, which are too thick is a drawback then as it only adds reduction to the internals or an increase in the overall dimensions of the case.
That is a much bigger case, which is not the goal and is honestly pointless. Dan is planning to give you 280mm rad support in 11.3l volume and instead you want something that is at least 15l. If you want to showcase your components and don't care about space optimization, just go for the Lian Li TU150 or a Sliger SM570. Also, a sideways rad blocking the view is not a big problem for a lot of people, as the fashion of tempered glass panels is now over and the SFF community prefers a minimalist style with strong performance. If you want to show off your components, of course you can use the sandwich layout with the tempered glass panel option, but your GPU will then suffer unless it is watercooled. Sorry if I seem frustrated, but some of the request are things that are already possible (240 on top with sandwich inverted layout), and others require a complete overhaul of dimensions of a product that is already so well optimized and amazing.
