A Closer Look - Outside

A first look at the ISK110 VESA leaves a good impression. The second noteworthy difference to the ISK 100 is the side panel which no longer holds a fan, but has, instead, been extruded slightly to give more internal room for components. Unfortunately, there is still no dust filter on its open side.


You won't find too many extras at the front of the chassis: a power button, a pair of audio plugs, and four USB 2.0 connectors. I would have liked small features like a reset button or an SD-Card reader. Turning the chassis around, the entire back is taken up by the mainboard's connectivity. There is no space for an expansion card, but this should not come as a surprise considering the dimensions of the chassis.


One side is made mostly of metal mesh, which gives way to fresh air, but also dust. Removing the fan is a step in the right direction as more and more mini-ITX boards for standard desktop CPUs hit the market. The added height is necessary for standard CPU coolers. Turning the ISK110 VESA around, there is a solid plastic panel under which the hard drive bays are.


An air vent and the mounting holes and hooks for the base can be found on the underside of the chassis. This is also where you secure the VESA mount if you want to latch it to the back of a TV.