Thank you for all the detailed input, great engagement! This is exactly what we were hoping to see!
1. 3rd PSU position: What advantage does this update create compared to the original mounting position? Does it allow the ability to stack 2-off 2.5" drives underneath the PSU? In that case, why would the original mounting position be necessary?
This position will allow SFX-L PSUs to utilize the space below, SSD of slim fan. Original position is used when AIOs are used.
2. Blade SSD: I had read somewhere that this was to be included? Adding more options for storage mounting is a big plus for me; some can use this space for mounting a drive, or if not, as a cable management/routing area.
Agreed
3. Riser position: A no-brainer. Good to go!
Agreed
4. Added zip ties: More tie-down points have been suggested by the community countless times. The more opportunities for cable management, the better.
This has been mentioned many times by the community and was further reinforced by Webbhallen:s (huge Scandinavian retailer) lead system integrator Johnny Stone after he had worked on the case for a week.
5. Bottom plate clean up: Assuming this change will be implemented in conjunction with #7 (new SSD tray), this is a great way to streamline the look and manufacturing of the bottom plate.
Yes, and we have removed the old mounting holes for the old SSD tray as well.
6. C14: Negligible difference for me. It could make it easier to customise length/sleeve the cable? Not too sure what advantage this will provide for the cost.
This has been driven by a couple of factors. The new power cable with the low profile C13 connector comes with this as standard, it will sit more firmly in place, easier to remove when needed.
7. New SSD tray: Great idea. Does this mean the mount can be attached to the TopHats as well?
Yes, when the TopHats became possible to mount in the bottom (still need to find a better name for them since the change) the 120 mm mountings were added to the bottom, mirroring the ones found in the top platform... so by using these mountings instead we automatically have more flexibility and can place the tray on both platforms and slide it to where we need it to be.
8. FTW3 adjustment: Has been a talking point since J2C preview video. Do it.
We made a huge investment when we bought this GPU and it is the best we have seen, so there was now way we would let it not fit
On a serious note it now will fit under the platform without removing the RGP strip, so no modifications needed. Only the 90-degree power adapters.
9. Kensington lock: I, nor anybody I know has ever used one. Is this feature a big enough point of difference for the majority of consumers to include?
We have received significant interest and "pre-orders" from companies that require this due to it's size. DICE HQ is 800 meters away from our office here in Stockholm and they are one of the potential customers. It should not be a negative for people not using it, right?
10. Rear symmetry: Aesthetic and cost improvement at the same time? Go for it!
Win-win!
11. GPU max height increase: If it provides greater compatibility with more GPUs without negatively affecting other components/compatibility, then I don't see a problem.
Great!
12. Gable spline: Not sure what the difference is here from previous. Is this an internal or external update?
This has to do with the fact that the eye will interpret a flat surface next to a rounded surface as concave, collapsing inwards, by adding just a minimal bend to the flat surfaces you avoid this effect by forcing light to bounce of of it in different directions. This let's "the eye" understand it is not concave and it actually looks more straight even though it isn't. You'll find this on many products today.
13. OI symmetry: Is there a functional improvement with this update, or is it only an aesthetic one? I don't know what this was like before. Regardless, production cost improvements anywhere are welcomed.
This is actually nothing we have mentioned before, the way the case was designed before meant that the PCB where the LED and PWR-button sit was asymmetric. The button and LED were of center for no apparent reason. This way the PCB is perfectly symmetric and smaller in size.
14. GPU cover: Again, not sure what the difference is from previous, or what advantage(s) it provides.
The PCB cover plate simply looked out of place, made out of thin folded sheet metal and mounted to the back of the case. the entire exterior of the case holds an insanely high standard, the GPU cover simply didn't match that and brought the total experience down. This way it is a faster install, stronger hold, and barely visible.
15. Rag tag opening: No cost impact, but greater compatibility? I say go for it.
Yes, the leather vs woven fabric question is a sensitive one, especially in vegan country (Scandinavia) so this way it is up to the user what material tag to use and even include in the kit.
16. Grill hole pattern: Is this to aid cooling efficiency? Are simulation results available to quantify the change? In terms of pure aesthetics, I prefer less holes and thus a thicker border around the top grille.
We have produced man different grills with different border thicknesses and we think this is the perfect mid-way. It does not have anything to do with performance actually.
17. Grill screw down: Not sure what this means exactly, or what advantage it holds.
This is a solution to allow users that are traveling with the case to fasten the grill more securely. Also some B2B customers are requesting this due to the otherwise ease of entry. That being said, we have received a lot of criticism on this point (this is actually the only firmly criticized update), that it ruins the pure lines of the design. Fortunately this is a component that is not on the critical time line so it leaves us with some room to find another way.
18. Grill material: There was slight warping in the grill J2C has - this is the only manufactured sample we have really seen, so do we know if this is a widespread issue or merely an isolated one due to shipping circumstances? Would flat-packing the case alleviate this? Would production units likely see the same issues in day-to-day usage? This is only something Louqe can confirm or provide more information on as I am only speculating here.
Yes, the grill could deform, resulting in a nasty fit of a component that is hit by more light than others. This is why spring steel has been chosen. Spring steel can withstand more forces without deforming, it will flex back to it's original state.
19. PSU bracket compatibility: Another no-brainer. Go for it.
Yes!
20. Cable management: Another great idea with no cost impact.
This is not apparent when looking at the case, but out of our many hundreds of builds we had to remove the PSU bracket 90% of the time simply because we forgot to feed the cables through before screwing it on the PSU, Jonas at Sweclockers said he did it every single time he build in it =)
21. Screw harmonization: Hardware/fastener unity is a very difficult thing to achieve. In terms of production and assembly, it would be a very welcomed update. On another note, are Torx head fasteners necessary? What was the main factor for Torx compared to, say, Phillips head.
Torx fasteners are superior in terms of ware (you can't slip) and allow for angled tool (often needed in tight spaces). A LOUQE edition T-10 screw driver will be included in the kit.
22. Side filter frame: I've never seen a recessed area for dust filters before, so this is quite cool to see.
It is all about CPU clearance in our case
23. Side filter pickup: I don't think the dust filters would be removed that often to warrant this. Not completely necessary in my opinion.
Good point!
24. Slide interface: If this provides improved ergonomics or improved structural integrity, I say do it.
The earlier design was holding the sidpanels in 2 dimensions, side to side and front to back with a ball-shaped profile, this proved to be over defined and made it tougher to slide in without adding structural rigidity. This is not something we have discussed or mentioned before simply because it needed to be tested in real life.
25. Side spline: Not sure what the difference is here from previous.
Same as #12 Gable splie, se above
26. Top plate adjustments: Is this update together with #21 (screw harmonization), or is it only a visual one?
This has to do with the fact that the TopHats sat differently depending on the use of this TopPlate or not creating different size panel gaps. This change together with #27 eliminates this problem.
27. TopHat countersinks: Not sure exactly what is meant by this. There should never be a misalignment in the TopHats due to fasteners/otherwise anyway?
Se answer above.