External Overview
The Antec Solo II follows its predecessor, the Antec Solo by offering some much needed technological upgrades. Like its predecessor, the Solo II is also a case based on simplicity and silence. This case has a piano black finish surrounding the top and side panels, which are also composed of 1.0mm SECC / polycarbonate to help maintain quality and dampen noise.
The front aluminum panel is not quite as glossy as the others, but still boasts a sleek black finish. You’ll notice that the Solo II only has two external 5.25” bays, compared to the 3 5.25” and one 3.5” of the original Solo. Also on the front panel you’ll find your power/reset buttons, HDD activity LED and your front access ports which include audio/mic jacks, two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports.
The side panel, like I mentioned before, has a high gloss piano black finish. While this makes the case look nice, it reveals fingerprints and smudges very easily. This shouldn’t be of too much concern for case buyers, since this case is designed not to be moved very often. This is more of an office computer or just someone who wants to keep a silent case on their hands for a while.
One interesting thing to note also about this case is that it is a top-mounted PSU case. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen any top mounted PSU case, but it isn’t any surprise that Antec kept the top-mounted design from the original Solo.
Looking at the rear panel you’ll notice another upgrade from the original Solo, a complete black paint job, not only on the back, but on the inside of the case as well. You’ll find your motherboard I/O slot top mounted PSU and rear 120mm TrueQuiet fan with 2-speed switch; this is the only fan included with this case.
Further towards the bottom are your seven expansion slots and honeycomb cutout for additional airflow. The left side panel also has two high quality thumbscrews which also appear to have a high-gloss finish to them as well.
