titleIt’s rare that we see a new case manufacture jump into the market and wow everyone. This past January at CES Fractal Design did just that to a lot of people including a member of our own staff. From then on we have been excited to get a chance to take a closer look at what Fractal has to offer. Well that moment is finally here. Today we will be taking an in depth look at the Fractal Define Mini, a Micro ATX case built to be silent, compact and stylish. Their goal is to “provide products with an extraordinary design level, without compromising the important factors of quality, functionality and pricing”. That is a high goal to set, let’s find out if they were successful.

Product Name: Fractal Design Define Mini

Review Sample Provided by: Fractal Design

Review by: Wes

Pictures by: Wes

Specifications

Cooling system

Fan controller for 3 fans included

1 rear Fractal Design 120mm @ 1200rpm included

1 front Fractal Design 120mm @ 1200rpm included

1 front 120mm fan (optional)

1 top 120/140mm fan (optional)

1 bottom 120mm fan (optional)

1 side panel 120mm/140mm fan (optional)

3.5 Inch HDD

6x trays, compatible with 2.5 inch drives also

5.25 Bays

2x with 5.25 to 3.5 adapter

Top I/O Panel

2x USB 2.0

1x USB 3.0

Audio I/O

Motherboard compatibility

Mini ITX and Micro ATX

Expansion slots

4 +1

Graphic card space

260mm with HDD Bay in place

400mm without HDD Bay

CPU Cooler Height

160mm

Maximum PSU depth

170mm with bottom fan

220mm without

Case size (WxHxD)

210x395x490mm

Net weight

9,50 kg 

Packaging

Fractal packed the Define Mini a simple and elegant box. On the front you have a nice photo of the Define Mini on a black background. The top section is a different color with the cases name along the bottom and the Fractal logo on the top left. Around back the logo and name are in the same location but the photo of the Define Mini is lacking its side panel, giving full view of nearly feature. Next to the photo you have a description and then a specification listing.

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Inside the box the case came wrapped in a plastic bag with foam on the corners to keep it safe and snug in the box.

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Tucked away inside the case you also get a small box with all of the accessories. On one side of the box you have the fractal logo and on the other side you have a full breakdown of everything included in the box. A nice feature. Inside you have all of the screws and standoffs needed, like normal. Also included is a PCI slot fan controller to match the white PCI slots on the Define Mini. The small wrench included is also a nice touch.

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garfi3ld's Avatar
garfi3ld replied the topic: #20696 03 Nov 2011 18:53
Forgot to post here yesterday when we posted this :)
Wingless92's Avatar
Wingless92 replied the topic: #20704 03 Nov 2011 21:14
Small cases have a soft spot in my heart. Loved this case when I saw it at CES and it continues to offer great spec's for a low cost of entry.
Hasbeen's Avatar
Hasbeen replied the topic: #20718 04 Nov 2011 07:47
I have to admit it is a nice case, but I think I'd prefer its cousin the Arc Mini. It is the door that does it for me, I just don't like them. The rest of the case seems fairly similar to the arc mini so that would be my choice. Great review though and still a good case to have.

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