What are the basic form factors for computer cases?

The basic form factors for computer cases include a variety of designs that dictate the size and layout of the case that houses computer components. Choosing desktop and tower as the correct answer highlights the two fundamental configurations commonly seen in personal computing environments.

The desktop form factor is characterized by its horizontal orientation, typically designed to be placed on or under a desk. This form is space-efficient and great for situations where floor space is limited. The tower, on the other hand, is a vertical case that allows for greater expandability and airflow. Towers can come in various sizes, such as mid-tower or full-tower, accommodating a larger number of components, including multiple hard drives, graphics cards, and cooling systems.

While other options include various configurations, they typically represent more specialized or niche types of cases rather than the foundational forms that most mid-range and higher-end builds start from. For instance, all-in-one cases house all components behind the display and are not standalone tower or desktop designs. Mini towers and micro cases are variations of these larger categories and are not considered basic form factors themselves. Laptop and ultrabook refer to portable computing devices, which do not fit into the traditional desktop tower or desktop case classifications. Therefore, focusing on desktop and tower provides a