Introduction

The Mana 136 is an inexpensive mid-tower case from In Win, offered in black or white. We reviewed the white version.

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Figure 1: In Win Mana 136 case

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Figure 2: In Win Mana 136 case

The left panel of the In Win Mana 136 is meshed, supporting two 120 mm fans. There is no air filter for these fans.

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Figure 3: Left panel

The Front Panel

The In Win Mana 136 has three external 5.25” bays, with meshed covers, but no air filters.

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Figure 4: Front panel

At the bottom part of the front panel, the In Win Mana 136 has a 120 mm fan. This fan has an air filter attached to it. Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn’t publish the specifications for this fan, which uses a standard peripheral power connector, so it needs to be connected directly to the power supply. This fan glows blue when turned on. You can also install a second 120 mm fan on the front panel, above the existing fan; however, the case doesn’t come with an air filter for this second fan. The installation of the front fans is performed using a tool-less mechanism.

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Figure 5: Front fan

The case comes with two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, and the traditional audio jacks on the top part of the front panel. The USB 3.0 ports use an internal connector, so make sure you install a motherboard with an internal USB 3.0 header.

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Figure 6: Buttons and connectors

The Top, Bottom, and Rear Panels

The In Win Mana 136 has a big mesh on its top panel, supporting two 120 mm fans.

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Figure 7: Top panel

The bottom panel has an air filter for the power supply fan.

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Figure 8: Bottom panel

The rear panel and the interior of the In Win Mana 136 are painted black.

On the In Win Mana 136, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case.

The case comes with a 120 mm fan installed on its rear panel, but again, no specifications for this fan are provided. This fan uses a standard three-pin fan power connector.

This case has seven expansion slots with vented covers.

The In Win Mana 136 has two holes for hoses of liquid cooling solutions, but you will need to break the metallic covers of these holes in order to be able to use them. These holes are 1.1” (28 mm) in diameter.

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Figure 9: Rear panel

The rear panel has a loop for installing a padlock or warranty seal, preventing unauthorized people from opening the computer.

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Figure 10: Loop for padlock or warranty seal

Let’s now take a look inside the In Win Mana 136.

Inside the In Win Mana 136

Both panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews. The motherboard tray has a huge hole for you to access the backplate of the CPU coolers without having to remove the motherboard from the case, a few holes for you to route cables behind it, and several holes for you to fasten cables using cable ties.

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Figure 11: Overall look

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Figure 12: A view behind the motherboard tray

In Figure 13, we get another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using a single metallic plate that is located on the rear panel and attached to the case using a regular screw. The In Win Mana 136 supports video cards up to 11” (280 mm) long.

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Figure 13: Overall look

The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. It can be installed with either its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it. As already discussed, the case comes with an air filter for the power supply fan.

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Figure 14: Power supply compartment

The Disk Drive Bays

The In Win Mana 136 has three external 5.25” bays using tool-less installation mechanisms, six internal 3.5” bays, and two internal 2.5” bays.

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Figure 15: Disk drive bays

The 3.5” bays use a quick release mechanism where you need to install four screws to the device being installed, and then slide the device into the bay, where a plastic latch will hold the device into place. To remove the device, simply lift the latch and slide the device out of the bay. You can see this latch (the lime plastic part) in Figure 15.

Two of the 3.5” bays come with hot-swap connectors, a feature that is rare to see in a case at this price range.

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Figure 16: Hot-swap connectors

The two 2.5” bays are located at the bottom panel. See Figure 17.

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Figure 17: The 2.5” bays

Main Specifications

The main specifications for the In Win Mana 136 include:

• Style: Mid-tower
• Application: ATX, and smaller form factors
• Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
• Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
• Available colors: Black or white
• Side panel: Meshed
• Dimensions: 17 x 7.5 x 19.5 inches (432 x 190 x 495 mm) (H x W x D)
• Net weight: 12 lbs (5.5 kg)
• Gross weight: 14.5 lbs (6.6 kg)
• Bays: Three external 5.25” bays, six internal 3.5” bays (two with hot-swap connectors), and two internal 2.5” bays
• Expansion slots: Seven
• Maximum video card length: 11” (280 mm)
• Maximum CPU cooler height: NA
• Fans: One 120 mm fan on the front panel (blue LEDs) and one 120 mm fan on the rear panel
• Optional fans: Two 120 mm fans on the left panel, two 120 mm fans on the top panel, and one 120 mm fan on the front panel
• Extra Features: Loop for padlock or warranty seal
• More Information: http://www.inwin-style.com
• Average Price in the US*: USD 65.00

* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.

Conclusions

The In Win Mana 136 is an excellent case for its price (USD 65). If you are looking for an inexpensive case that looks good and has all the features you will probably need, the Mana 136 is a terrific option.

Strong Points

• Air filter for the power supply and front fans
• The 5.25” bay covers are meshed
• Vented slot covers
• Support for six 3.5” and two 2.5” devices
• Two of the 3.5” bays have hot-swap connectors
• A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
• Holes for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
• Holes for fastening cables using cable ties

Weak Points

• No air filters for the optional fans
• No air filters for the 5.25” bay covers
• No anti-vibration mechanisms for 3.5” devices