Expandable BeagleBone Black Case (Orange)

Sorry for the length... When reading reviews, I tend to read some from the good, some from the average and some from the bad rankings. Not everyone sees things the same way, not everyone has the same luck or needs. With that in mind, I am writing my review after reading the 1-star review for this product.I own two of these, the black and the orange. Although the 1-star reviewer has some valid points, like the micro buttons not being accessible and the case being more expensive on Amazon. However, I think he was bit a bit harsh on the screws, perhaps he got a bad batch of tie down screws... and there is a very small slit above the USB port for viewing the LED's... its definitely small and you have to be looking at it from the right angle... but its there. I don't think the 1-star reviewer has much experience with Logic Supply's designs.That being said, I love these little cases. These aren't clear plastic PLA or ABS cases so you stare lovingly at the electronics. The case is designed to be durable and used in relatively harsh environment, see *any* of Logic Supply's other industrial PC cases for embedded computers and you'll get the idea.The construction on the cases is solid, it can even expand out to cover BeagleBone Capes (Arduino like shields to the Arduino based fans) Although it doesn't provide for the same protection with a "Cape" installed as it does when its just the BeagleBone black by itself. Admittedly, the external screws require a jewelers Philips driver and are *quite* small, as the 1-star reviewer said, they don't have a big "bite" and I doubt they can withstand extreme amounts of pressure on the case; but, I think that design choice was made to make it easier to fit Capes on and... honestly, I have no plans of dropping cinder-blocks on the case to test the screws, so I'm not sure this is a valid criticism of the 1mm screws.So the use case for these is clearly a fire and mostly forget one, that is, your project is done and this is the final step, placing it in a case. If you have to open the case constantly, its probably not for you until you've finished developing your project OR if you have huge amounts of bulky electronic components sticking out of the pin rows.I use my BeagleBone's to monitor environmentals in communications closets that have no environmental controls, as well as throughput testing the network (wired and wireless) and when complete, it will also create packet captures as a diagnostic tool.This case *is* perfect for that application, the punch-outs on the bottom for mounting screws (hanging configuration) are a major plus.They also make for great little Linux machines that you carry around in a nice neat and strong case and can be popped out at a moments notice; I have placed them in my back pocket with the Logic Supply case, with no fear of damaging the device.To wit, I once had a microcontroller in a Altoid's tin and crushed them both when I fell on it... not a happy day.. :(Also the nice thing about the case (and the BeagleBone Black) is that, unlike the Raspberry Pi (I also own a few of those, so I'm not a hater), you don't have delicate connectors to worry about breaking off... really good solid construction on both making it safe while being portable.Lastly, the case is smooth enough so that you can put labels on them... useful for placing the MAC address of the Ethernet circuit on them for easy identification.I'd definitely like to see them in more colors... would also help with identification... may I suggest bright yellow and green (neon too if you got it). :)

My BBB fits perfectly in this sturdy case. I only tried the Ethernet and power cables, but they still fit fine when in the case. My only complaint is with the tiny case screws. I don't have a screwdriver that small so I'm going to have to pick one up. Eventually I will lose some of these teeny tiny screws. Hell, if I dropped one on the carpet I'd never find it. I'd give the case 5 stars if larger case screws were used.

The manufacturing aspect of the product is pretty good although the paint job is sub-standard. But the real problem is with the screw selection, size and positioning and the fact that the box doesn't provide openings for access to the switches and LED indicators. Inside the box, unnecessarily large headed screws are used to tie down the PCB. I had to replace them with smaller ones of my own to avoid risk of short circuit. Outside, to affix the top cover to the bottom half, four 1 mm screws are used which require a watch-maker's screwdriver. They bite on no more than a couple of threads in 0.8 mm sheet metal.Needless to say that this is not the best way to tie down the cover, especially considering that one may have to open it often if the application running on the beaglebone black board require activating one of the micro-switches inside the box. So, I replaced them with more suitable larger screws and tapped the holes.Meanwhile, as I checked the manufacturer's website, I noticed that I had overpaid 33% more than what it charged through its own website. Then today the product's price was lowered by a couple of bucks here, but the price difference is still around 20%.

These are my favorite cases I have found for the beaglebone. They are solid and handsome and durable. I have several of them in both colors and have been happy. I've had a couple bones in these hanging out in my back pack for around a year which attests to their durability.One nice feature is that the lid can be screwed on higher if you need to have capes or other cables hanging out. They're not as handsome this way but it sure is nice when you have kidlets running around.It is worth noting that you can uses these on a beaglebone white with some modification. It's not perfect but it works. The main issue is the micro sd card slots are are different between the black and white. File the sd card slot whole until it meets the HDMI port. Then only secure the white to the case with two screws at the other end so it can come up a little ways. You'll need to use a pen or the like to help the sd card in and out but it works.

I was expecting a cheesy stamped metal box, and it certainly looks like that's what it would be.However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is, also, a very precisely-carved, -punched, and -folded stamped metal box that looks like cheese!The board is a perfect fit in the case, the openings are all very accurately positioned, and the screws are a perfect flush fit. The paint may be powder coating; I don't really know. It appears to be very durable, and evenly applied, such that the finish is uniform and very presentable, if a little jarring, amongst the black boxes and blinking lights of other projects in the works. This case makes for a sturdy housing for the BeagleBone Black, and features the option to raise the cover to allow for non-typical connections and ventilation, while also keeping the case secured and the board protected.Well worth the money, in my opinion, and the eye-burning color is a bonus!

Paint chips easily, can't get the cover on and off with a tiny screwdriver, no access to power button on motherboard.