Power Metal Suite - December 30, 2003
Author: Swizcore Studio
Version: 2.0
Reviewed by: Phillip Ryu
User Rating: 
65%
Newly updated, the Power Metal suite remains a theme that strikes a comfortable balance between flash and usability, with style and the high degree of polish you can expect from Swizcore Studio.
Aesthetics
Do you own a G5? Or a new aluminum PowerBook? Or are you an iBook or iMac owner who wants one? Either way, Power Metal will delight. Hit apply, and you are immediately greeted by a a transformation of your bright, plastic Aqua interface into something much more... metallic. In PowerMetal 2, darkened widgets that resemble the grills of the new PowerMac glow blue when you mouse-over, a rare instance of color that is emphasized by the overall neutrality of the theme. Windows are created out of smooth, subtly shining metal, which matches perfectly with Apple's pro computer lineup. A beautifully rendered Apple logo resides in the menubar, in the style of the grill holes, as if you could peer inside it and see the innards of your computer. Overall, this is a totally immersive visual experience. Welcome to what brushed metal might have been.
Then, for those of you who prefer a brighter interface, Kevin introduces PowerMetal 2005: a major renovation to the classic theme that hues most clickable elements a highly contrasting metallic blue, and lightens up metal to a brighter finish. Generally, this is a totally new look, and more in style with Kevin's latest offerings. PM2k5 is bold and stylish, and matches Apple's new iPod minis more than their computers. For anyone who loves their brightly colored iPods, this variant will be exactly what you have been looking for.
This may be the single largest update a theme has ever seen. Kevin has taken a great risk with the update, taking a beloved theme and changing it drastically, rather than simply adding new features and refining certain elements, as most theme updates do. But was it worth it? Are its new elements better than the old? Is this theme without its mistakes and shortcomings?
Power Metal is not all that it could be. What about an option for white lights, instead of the blue found on X-Serves, not PowerMacs or PowerBooks? This is exactly the type of variant that could comfortably be switched in Apple's Aqua/Graphite option. Or, perhaps that feature could be used to bring back the older, larger window titlebar widgets as a switchable option. Though the newer, minimal widgets look slick, PowerMetal's original widgets may have been more comfortable for many users, as they were easier to press, and represented their functions. And of course, PowerBook and PowerMac owners may argue that the theme's buttons do not quite fit in. Anyone running their hands over a PowerMac will notice the lack of protrusions, and perhaps buttons could have been created in a more "inset" design. But these are minor points of complaint. Generally, this major update takes more steps forward than back, and though users may not want to delete their old versions of PowerMetal for nostalgia's sake, they will surely want to give this new version preference.
Usability
Power Metal 2 is a neutral grey, with the rare accents of blue, so there are no problems with usability. Black text shows up surprisingly clearly on the grey backgrounds, and things like aqua icons (sometimes a major problem with themes) play nicely with Power Metal. However, the new variant brings some problems that previously never existed. But mostly, these "issues" are a matter of preference. As previously noted, the PM2k5 variant includes much blue. All buttons and selected menus and menu items are shaded in bright, metallic blue, and window titlebar widgets are inset in it. Additionally, the windows themselves are a brighter metal. But of course, for those who find this addition of color an issue, there is a simple solution. Use the other variant. For this reason, overall, the Power Metal suite has little usability issues.
Conclusion
The new Power Metal suite is not perfect, but it's a top quality creation, and once again blends together usability with quality aesthetics. The theme includes a cursor set and several application skins, with desktops as a separate download. This is a highly recommended download for everyone, but some may find themselves feeling nostalgia for the Power Metal of old. If that's the case, the reviewer recommends sticking it out. Power Metal grows on you, and the drastic changes are generally for the better. Give this one a try.
Comments
Posted by Adam Betts at January 1, 2004 05:16 PM | Edit | Delete
I like this theme but the bevel on widgets, etc is a bit thick. Not sure why the bevel style isn't the same for Finder's Toolbar Buttons
Other than that, it's pretty usable theme for me =)
Posted by danielgrenell at January 4, 2004 01:45 AM | Edit | Delete
i agree with your rating, but i'd like to add that the action and path buttons look different. that really bothered me about this theme, i couldn't help but find it annoying.
Posted by Gito at January 7, 2004 11:14 AM | Edit | Delete
I like this theme very much. But after a while it gets a little boring, and the apple on the left corner of the menubar it's blurred, somehow that bugs me. I used it for a long time and sometimes I go back and forwards:-)
Posted by Granger at February 7, 2004 01:47 PM | Edit | Delete
I actually like the original concept that Cerbrero came up with better. Somwhere along the path this theme has lost its way. The original release had Cerbrero original idea as well as Swiz's interprtation. Any chance we could have those options again?
Posted by Ernest Liu at April 24, 2004 10:28 PM | Edit | Delete
I think the widgets could be improved. This theme seems too plain for my taste... but if that's the whole point of it, then its well done.
Posted by Chris McElligott at January 7, 2005 10:01 PM | Edit | Delete
Great update but it seems really incomplete, It'd be nice if there were a few more app skins.
Posted by swiz at January 7, 2005 10:56 PM | Edit | Delete
For now I just skinned the ajor apps I feel most people use daily. Im gonna be busy for a little while so I wanted to get these relased instead of letting them get stale waiting for more time to skin the other apps.
Posted by swiz at January 7, 2005 10:57 PM | Edit | Delete
Granger:
I still have the original Cerbero gui, when I get a moment I will make it kocur with Panther and SS 2 and add it for download from the PowerMEtal 2.0 page. I still really like that original interface also.
Posted by outsider at February 4, 2006 12:28 PM | Edit | Delete
Posted by outsider at February 4, 2006 12:28 PM | Edit | Delete
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Posted by outsider at February 4, 2006 12:28 PM | Edit | Delete
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