When it comes to the business of building PCs, true innovation is hard to find. There are exceptions-HP had the Blackbird 002, Alienware designs its own enclosures, and there's always the Thermaltake Level 10-but most companies aren't willing to take the financial risk that's part and parcel of designing new and different products.

Fortunately, MainGear is. While they've not been around as long as Alienware or Falcon-Northwest, the company has six solid years of experience in building custom PCs. MainGear recently sent us a high-end system built around its unique SHIFT chassis. When it designed the Shift, Maingear took a standard ATX configuration and literally turned it 90'. Add a hybrid aluminum/steel frame, custom detailing, and a cable mount system that turns what might've been a ghettoish kludge into a gorgeous surface, and you've got the Shift. It's a unique blend of style and practicality that manages to improve system thermals and look good doing it. Curious? So were we...