1. What would the pricing difference be? Since you plan to powder coat, would the color match seamlessly? (Not sure if powder coat looks different on aluminum vs steel). I think steel would be wise, because it would more easily allow for magnetic dust filters. As long as the pannels are flat and have good quality control, I, personally, have no issue with the steel over aluminum.
2. 13l could be fine, that being said it really depends on what it will offer. We must consider if the increase in size and price is worth it. There are great cases already available around the 13l (ncase m1 @ ~13l and the loque Ghost S1 (with large TH) @ ~ 11l). What will the reason being for the 10L vs the 13L? How do they compare, and what do they offer. I like the concept, but if cases already exist in similar performance in a similar Volume, then we must carefully proceed, because the lines start to blur between asthetic and price/performance ratio.
3. I totally agree. Take the the same kind of approach as the Moljnir, wait until you have your product 95-100% confirmed before going around spreading. (Maybe post things like interest Check's, but that's about it). If you go about spreading the word across-the-board then you will have to go to each site when you make a design update/change to get everyone to know(which just puts more work on you).
4. To keep pricing appropriate, the s401 is 160. Now this will be more feature rich. But I would suggest keeping below 200. I'd say 185-200 would be safe. But the biggest caveat is the price of the modular extensions(s). Console style seem less popular than shoebox. (Maybe that's because Shoebox came out 1st And dominated the market, maybe it because of hardware compatability... Idk) but it seems like console style cases are not quite as popular. I think people want them to be, but there just hasn't been the mainstream push from them (aside from the zaber sentry, which has poor thermal issues that plauge it when placed horizontal). But I think people like the idea of a system they can put under a monitor stand, or stand erect on their desk, but a lot of us(not all, but a lot) want something portable. The console cases can fit in a backpack. Yes some larger backpacks can hold the shoebox cases, but most backpacks can house a console style case better than a shoebox case.
This could be a great release, and I want it to be, but first and foremost it needs to be worth it. Price/performance/features generally you can only pick two of those things. If you can make a tri-fecta go for it!!
I believe you have a lot of things going for you, people like modularity (like at the loque ghost, or the Stek).
Keep up the good work!!! It's going strong and I believe you really have a potentially unique enough and quality enough product to make this stand out from the rest and offer things people have desiered, but haven't know yet!
Edit: Bear with me it's 2am, if I have grammatical errors it's because I'm dying lol. I'll try to proof read tomorrow.
Just wanted to hit you with good news before I lay down. ,