Review: NZXT Bunker

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[drupal=655]Review: NZXT Bunker[/drupal]

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Let's face it, we spend a lot of money on our hardware. From processors to video cards, technnology isn't cheap. This applies to peripherals as well as the core of a system. How many of us own a mouse or a keyboard that we wouldn't want to have to pay for again? The last thing we need is for one of our less-than-honest compatriots to walk away with them. NZXT has us covered with a new innovative add-on: the USB Bunker.

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Interesting...what's the key like though? I mean, I've used a bunch of "locking" drivebays over the years, and almost all of them use the exact same key. If that's the case with this, that's just a fail waiting to happen. Kinda like those "locking security screws" that someone was trying to sell a while ago...that just relied on a special bit...that was the same for every set that they made..

According to NZXT there are 20 different keys used with the Bunker, so the odds of another Bunker owner having a key that will open yours are... (carry the one, divide by pi, square that...) 5%.

In reality you only need one key...A screwdriver. It looks like you could easily pry the door open.

Whats the point to lock USB ports?

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Originally Posted by logicslayer

In reality you only need one key...A screwdriver. It looks like you could easily pry the door open.

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Yes I'm sure you could, but not without making a good deal of noise, thereby attracting attention.

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Originally Posted by Fuganater

Whats the point to lock USB ports?

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It's designed for both LAN parties (and other public outings with your gear) and commercial applications like offices and schools. Keeps the lazy thieves from stealing peripherals.

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Originally Posted by blueonblack

It's designed for both LAN partys (and other public outings with your gear) and commercial applications like offices and schools. Keeps the lazy thieves from stealing peripherals.

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I guess if your net admin is a noob. We use a simple Group Policy to disable the USB ports.

so how do you input?

Ok technically the GP doesn't disable the port... it disables the port from allowing any new drivers to be installed. They keyboard and mouse drivers are installed in the image. So only THAT keyboard and THAT mouse can be used on any of they systems.

Which really doesn't mean anything to the guy that's stealing them.

^this. just cuz they're stolen doesn't mean they're only planning on using them at that LAN :D

Considering one of these for my case refresh later this summer. While I know this wouldn't deter any determined LAN thieves, it makes a pretty decent compromise between security and ease of use.

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Originally Posted by DynamoNED

..it makes a pretty decent compromise between security and ease of use.

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I couldn't have said it better. *That* is what this piece is about.

Plus.. It makes your ugly usb front ports obsolete :p

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Originally Posted by Fuganater

I guess if your net admin is a noob. We use a simple Group Policy to disable the USB ports.

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You're thinking of people using unauthorized USB devices, ie, 'locking' the USB ports to keep people from plugging new things in. This device is intended to keep people from removing things that are already plugged in and walking off with them.

Ok I see now x88x. But if your stealing from a US Gov. facility, I think you have bigger issues coming ^^.

I now see the use at a LAN party if since most of us have expensive Keyboard/Mice.

Well honestly. i wouldn't even mess with trying to screw driver your bunker.

I'll just cut the cable with a multi-tool and solder me on a new USB end the next day if i really wanted to go out of my way and hook some one up scanless by stealing there USB periphials


What i do see, is this having the potential to house USB thumb drives and SD media readers with SD cards or what be it.

Those and the data on them are worth more to me then a 60$ logitech mouse. and with a lot of us using thumb drives for "speedboost" or just to have a removable media drive on the fly that contain valuable documents photos or other data. this would be useful as hell, but i wonder how deep is the recess cavity on the bunker unit.

if it could in fact hold those USB thumb drives, then that would be really sweet since to any non computer geek it'd just look like a vent hole.


It really is a neat idea and i'd defiantly extend my thanks out to NZXT with coming up with new concepts for computer periphrasis as they always do. from this bunker unit, to the Sentry external fan controller. they always make me wonder what the hell they are going to come up with next.

If they could make the front bezel and face plate out of stamped steel or aluminum and charge a bit more for it (25$ is a good spot for a plastic lock box type deal) make the internal cavity a bit deeper to accommodate the USB media drives and what not. That would be a hell of a unit right there.

I don't get the point of locking up USB ports?

It's not as much locking up the port itself... although it does keep someone from plugging in a device.. It's more to lock down expensive keyboards, mice, headsets, or webcams.. so no one at say a LAN party can just unplug it and walk away if your rig is unattended. It's not necessarily a fool proof security device, but it would slow them down, and make you a less desirable target.