Argon ONE M.2 Aluminum Case for Raspberry Pi 4 - SSD Ready

In this review the Argon ONE M.2 aluminum case is evaluated for Raspberry Pi 4 users who need a compact, durable enclosure with native SATA SSD support; the biggest reason to consider it is the included M.2 SATA expansion board that turns a Pi 4 into a snappy, low-latency storage host while keeping cabling neat. The review focuses on build quality, thermal design, and day-to-day usability, and explains why this case is a practical upgrade for project builders who want an all-in-one case with power management and active cooling.

Key Features

• M.2 SATA expansion: The included M.2 SATA board supports B-Key and B+M Key SSDs so the Pi 4 can boot and run directly from an internal SATA SSD for far faster storage performance than microSD alone.
• Aluminum passive cooling: The full aluminum body and integrated heatsink provide continuous passive heat dissipation to help keep the Pi 4 thermals lower during sustained workloads.
• Active PWM fan: A 30mm PWM fan is included and can be controlled by the Argon ONE script to ramp fan speed based on temperature for balanced noise and cooling.
• Power button with safe shutdown: A one-push power management button executes a safe shutdown to reduce risk of file system corruption from unplugging the Pi 4 directly.
• Clean cable management and ports: Two full-size HDMI ports remain accessible and a tidy cable routing system reduces clutter while keeping GPIO pins available for add-ons.
• IR receiver support: An integrated IR receiver extends remote control capability for media projects, while the remote itself is sold separately.

Who It's For

This case is aimed at Raspberry Pi 4 users building media centers, light home servers, or retro gaming rigs who want reliable internal SSD storage and a neat, OS-friendly shutdown method. It suits makers and hobbyists who appreciate a metal chassis that doubles as a heatsink and who will use the SSD expansion board to improve boot and app responsiveness.

People who only need the smallest, cheapest enclosure or who plan extremely high sustained loads without additional cooling may want to look elsewhere; some buyers report varied experiences with heat under heavy continuous use, so compute-intensive server roles should consider additional thermal planning.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid build quality and attractive aluminum design that also helps dissipate heat.
• M.2 SATA support for B-Key and B+M Key SSDs enables much faster and more reliable storage than microSD.
• Configurable fan control via Argon ONE script balances noise and cooling for extended use.
• Safe shutdown power button and accessible ports simplify daily operation and reduce risk to data.

Cons

• Some users report the case can run warm under sustained heavy loads, so thermal expectations should be managed for continuous high-CPU tasks.
• IR remote is not included, so remote control requires an additional purchase if needed.

Specifications

Compatible device	Raspberry Pi 4
M.2 support	M.2 SATA B-Key and B+M Key
Cooling	Aluminum passive heatsink + 30mm PWM fan
Power features	One-push safe shutdown power button
Video output	Two full-size HDMI ports
Extras	Integrated IR receiver (remote sold separately)

Our Verdict

The Argon ONE M.2 case is a practical, well-built upgrade for Raspberry Pi 4 owners who want internal SATA SSD support and cleaner daily operation; it pairs an aluminum chassis with an active PWM fan and a safe shutdown button to deliver better long-term usability. For makers and media-server builders it offers clear value, though those planning constant maximum-load use should account for cooling needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which M.2 SSDs fit this case?
The expansion board supports M.2 SATA SSDs using B-Key or B+M Key form factors; NVMe drives are not supported by the SATA adapter.

Does the case include a fan and heatsink?
Yes, the aluminum body acts as a passive heatsink and a 30mm PWM fan is included and controllable via the Argon ONE script.

Can I keep GPIO access with the case installed?
Yes, the design leaves GPIO pins accessible while providing a neat cable management path for connected peripherals.